Can I do my own septic field and tank in Mi?
#1
05-21-17, 10:35 AM
Can I do my own septic field and tank in Mi?
If I'm the general contractor for my work can I perform the tasks of my septic field and tank?
#2
05-21-17, 10:46 AM
Septic systems are highly regulated with the permits generally going thru the health dept. You'd need to find out if your local jurisdiction will allow a homeowner to do the work or if it needs to be done by a licensed septic system contractor.
#3
05-21-17, 11:48 AM
During the "boom" you couldn't get anyone to change a lightbulb, much less dig a leach field, so the wife of one of our Doctors was busy GC'ing the building of their house and couldn't get anyone to do the septic. They owned all the equipment to do it with. So she goes to Atlanta and becomes certified in septic installation by the Health Department. Did it herself. She weighs in at about 90 lbs so it was a hoot seeing her handle the backhoe 
As Marksr says, it is highly technical and you must be certified by the State Health Department in most cases.
As Marksr says, it is highly technical and you must be certified by the State Health Department in most cases.
#4
05-21-17, 03:00 PM
Group Moderator
What type of system are you installing? You may find it difficult to get approval to do your own traditional system but you might do an end run with with a chamber (Infiltrator) or EZ Flow type system. You might find it easier to become a certified installer for one of the non-traditional systems. Once you have the certification from the manufacturer local approval is much easier.
#5
05-21-17, 04:00 PM
As a Real Estate Broker, I find the biggest hurdle is to get the property to pass a percolation test BEFORE you buy it.
I once sold a 140 acre parcel which wasn't perc'd before purchase and then the Buyers couldn't find but three(3) spots where a Leach Field could be installed . . . . and none of them were in desirable building sites.
But that was still better than NO potential sites.
This is called the Green Mountain State because the water table is so high.
I once sold a 140 acre parcel which wasn't perc'd before purchase and then the Buyers couldn't find but three(3) spots where a Leach Field could be installed . . . . and none of them were in desirable building sites.
But that was still better than NO potential sites.
This is called the Green Mountain State because the water table is so high.
#6
05-21-17, 07:25 PM
I have county approval for a 30 foot wide and 50 foot long 3 trench field with 1000 gallon tank.
My biggest concern if allowed is correct fall from the house to the tank. My tank to drain field is slightly downhill about a 3% grade fall.
My biggest concern if allowed is correct fall from the house to the tank. My tank to drain field is slightly downhill about a 3% grade fall.
#8
05-22-17, 05:54 AM
Group Moderator
Yes, having soil conditions acceptable for a septic system and getting county approval for the installation of a system is one thing. A totally separate issue is being approved to install that system. A approved, experienced installer would not be concerned about fall from the house to the tank as that is easy to achieve. More critical is maintaining the proper elevations (fall where needed and flat where it's not) when installing the leach field and it's distribution lines.
