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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / RVs / August 2006Putting In My Own Septic/Cesspool Solution at Home
Sometimes I camp where I don't have a sewer hookup on my site. I never feel like I can take the time to do the right job at a dumping station - you just can't tie it up for too long. I am getting my driveway re-done. We have a cesspool at the house. I was wondering if I could put in another small cesspool just for the RV so I will never have to worry if I camp without a sewer hookup. Has this ever been done? What is involved? What is the cost? Are there local regulations? Any and all help is appreciated. Bob D. Long Island, NY > Sometimes I camp where I don't have a sewer hookup on my site. I never > feel like I can take the time to do the right job at a dumping station [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > Bob D. > Long Island, NY I have built four houses, two with septic systems. I currently own two others with septic systems. They ain't rocket science. They ARE a lot of work. Mostly excavation and moving the heavy tank. If you don't have the strong backs, equipment, or time and motivation to do your own digging, have it done. Even if you dig the hole, someone has to come along and set the tank into the hole. With all you will pay for materials, labor, and equipment rental, you would be better to have a contractor do it. That way, if there's a problem, you just pick up the phone. It's something you want to be done right from the get go. And yes, there are local permits that need to be gotten. A layman can do this, but an experienced person knows shortcuts, as well as construction techniques that save time and problems later. I am a serious DIYer. But this is something I wouldn't do. I only supervised the installation of a large system on one of my homes, and it was a PITA that I wished I hadn't gotten involved in. It's something you need to depend on. It's something that can cause BIG problems if not done right. Hire a pro. It isn't that expensive. Steve >I only >supervised the installation of a large system on one of my homes, and it was >a PITA that I wished I hadn't gotten involved in. Actually it is not that bad if you are building new. Like stated earier it is not rocket science. Whay is a bit of a pain is when you have to repair a old system like I did last fall when I replaced my enitre leach field and is was on a slope so it was challanging at times getting the trenches dug. I surveyed and laid out the new system and installed it ourselves from start to finish. It took us about 10 days, 110 tons of gravel and over 750 feet of leach field and feed lines laid to do it because it. It was very hot out and we worked only in morning and evening most days and me and my wife mostly. A good transit is a must have to do this and a laser transit is is a big help too (I had both because you use laser to get depth right and optical transit to verifiy things) The most difficult part of it (overall labor aside) was finding the output line from septic tank and tie into it. (I had tank pumped dry several days before so there was no surprizes and the line was surprizingly clean and odor free) I had to find and adapt the clay tile to PCV and install a bull valve to install two fields as required here now. (The transit helped a lot here and firguring out how deep line might be to dig it up with a backhoe without destroying it) I had access to a brand new Case backhoe with a extendahoe which was a sweet machine to work with and made the digging chores more manageable. It is not a job for the faint a heart though. ----------------- TheSnoMan.com > Sometimes I camp where I don't have a sewer hookup on my site. I never > feel like I can take the time to do the right job at a dumping station [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > Bob D. > Long Island, NY Hi Bob, Before you do anything, check with the local authorities to see if it is legal. It CAN be done and in a legal manner depending on local codes. IF (that's a big "if" ) you have a septic tank that is lower in elevation, you MAY only need a line ran to it. I have 2 friends that just ran a line to their septic tank for the same purpose you have. I am not sure they checked the legality of it, but for the past 5 years they haven't had any problems with the system or the authorities. :-) Like the other poster said, at least check with a pro. He will advise you if you need a permit and if it will work. Hank Don't know about your regulations in NY. But here in IL I dug a hole buried a 55 gal oil drum cut holes in bottom took off the top filled it with chip gravel ran the pipe into it covered with dirt and it works fine. It's not like you will be using it daily and there won't be a great amount of sewage going into it anyway. I also have a cleanout in my septic line, that I normally use. > Sometimes I camp where I don't have a sewer hookup on my site. I never > feel like I can take the time to do the right job at a dumping station [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > Bob D. > Long Island, NY >Sometimes I camp where I don't have a sewer hookup on my site. I never >feel like I can take the time to do the right job at a dumping station [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > http://www.a1cesspool.com/howseptictankswork.html Get a plumbing contractor to give you a price, you will see if you could afford to do it your self. Back breaking job, I done one and no more.  SignatureBILL P. Just Me & DOG > > Sometimes I camp where I don't have a sewer hookup on my site. I > > never feel like I can take the time to do the right job at a [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > could afford to do it your self. Back breaking job, I done one and no > more. We had to hook up to the sewer when we removed our septic tank for an addition to our house. I installed a second cleanout next to the street so I could dump our camper and boat. When it was inspected the inspector asked me what it was. I said an RV dump he said that was illegal when I then said a second cleanout he that was legal and I had done it right. So it can be done. Like someone said you may have to just run a line. Jim -- Some opinions and thoughts: - When we pull up to the dump station, especially on the last leg of a trip, I take whatever time is needed to flush our system. I do pre-prepare, to the maximum extent practical, by running water into the tanks to get good flow when I get to the station. I just think it is my responsibility to maintain my rig; not get out of the way quickly. With this mind-set I don't mind sitting behind the guy who is doing a thorough job. - Do you have a sewer cleanout anywhere near your home parking space? These are just as good as a dump station. We are planning construction of a new home, with septic system, and a cleanout will be installed specifically for this purpose. - What you are describing sounds like a lot of work. Like others said, check codes. I would hate to start a stinky problem near my home. RonB > Sometimes I camp where I don't have a sewer hookup on my site. I never > feel like I can take the time to do the right job at a dumping station [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > Bob D. > Long Island, NY > - Do you have a sewer cleanout anywhere near your home parking space? > These > are just as good as a dump station. We are planning construction of a new > home, with septic system, and a cleanout will be installed specifically > for this purpose. When I had my motorhome parked between my two houses, I had a Sewer Solution which I put into the 2" cleanout on the side of one of the houses right by the kitchen. It worked great. I like the Sewer Solution. Werked fur me. Steve > Sometimes I camp where I don't have a sewer hookup on my site. We don't have a septic system now, we live in a city with sewers, so my solution may not be suitable for you. We re-built the garage recently to accommodate our less than 10ft tall Class B RV. We added a 'washing machine' drain which we use to dump using a macerator pump. See Camping World kit: http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?skunum=26125&src=SRQB This is working very well for us; this macerator pump allows us to clean our tanks really well when we get home. Depending on how often you use this, your current septic/cesspool may be able to handle it... Al > Sometimes I camp where I don't have a sewer hookup on my site. I never > feel like I can take the time to do the right job at a dumping station [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > Bob D. > Long Island, NY Like Nospam, we have the macerator pump and it works good, letting me move material 125 feet plus and even uphill within reasonable limits. Lets you go into any clean out in the house and dump. Only down side you don't get that good heavy flow that is best for flushing sensors, but it does a good job. We are fulltime and use it when visiting places where we have to reach for sewer. Dave W. > Like Nospam, we have the macerator pump and it works good, letting me move > material 125 feet plus and even uphill within reasonable limits. Lets you [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Dave W. Dave, Here's what I do to get a good clean-out. After the first flush, I stop the pump and open the clean water faucet and fill-up the tank. Then flush again. Then I go with the wand to spray through the toilet. I always get the sensors to show empty after this... Al >> Like Nospam, we have the macerator pump and it works good, letting me >> move material 125 feet plus and even uphill within reasonable limits. [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > flush again. Then I go with the wand to spray through the toilet. I always > get the sensors to show empty after this... Al Thanks Al, I have the sprayer in the tank and often do 2 flushes, but doesn't always work. Big tank is part of it, we have 65 gallons. I use Borax which does help, but I will get the bottom sensor sticking if I am pumping rather than dumping more than a couple of times in a row. My toilet isn't easy for a wand, at least not the one I had from the last rig, a slight bend getting into it. Bottom line, like you I do love the Macerator, it does expand the options. and keep you from having to move the rig to dump. Happy Trails Dave W. I've got a story to tell you. We were adding on to our house at the time that my parents were full-time RV'ers. We went the route of checking out all the regulations - yes, the guy who gave us the building permit said, you can put in sewage, water, and electrical connections for them. Yes, it's alright for them to use the trailer in your yard, etc. Things went along well until I got a new neighbor with a dog that did nothing but bark (he even had the nerve to say that we shouldn't be out in our yard as it caused his dog to bark.) We fought something fierce and, eventually, just to try to prove who was tougher, he complained to the board about my parents living in the trailer during the summer. Turns out that the guy who told us that we could put in sewage, etc. was wrong. There was a regulation against it. Eventually the board relented on my parents but it still galls me that I had inquired of the person who should be "in the know" and he still told me wrong. The guy with the barking dog, however, ended up in court with a big fine to pay. He has since moved away and now faces another lawsuit with the township because he lied on his applications for building permits. :-) Rose > Sometimes I camp where I don't have a sewer hookup on my site. I never > feel like I can take the time to do the right job at a dumping station [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > Bob D. > Long Island, NY >I've got a story to tell you. > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] >with the township because he lied on his applications for building >permits. :-) I guess it shows that people that live in "Glass Houses" should not throw stones at others. ----------------- TheSnoMan.com > I guess it shows that people that live in "Glass Houses" should not > throw stones at others.<< You are right. He should have kept his mouth shut and poisoned the dog. SignatureJerryD(upstateNY) > I've got a story to tell you. > [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > Rose Hi Rose, I am a little confused. Was it against regulations to have the sewer/water/electric hook-ups, or having someone live in the RV for a period of time? Here locally it is within regulations to have such amenities, but against regulation to live in the RV for an extended period. Hank <~~~ Old and confused all the time > > I've got a story to tell you. > > [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > Here locally it is within regulations to have such amenities, but > against regulation to live in the RV for an extended period. Actually, we were given permission to have all three then discovered that they weren't allowed to live in the trailer or have the sewage hooked up. Funny thing is, the commissioner for our area, who is also an inspector for any sewage hookups for houses, etc. approved of what had been done. > Hank <~~~ Old and confused all the time You sound like a lot of RV'ers I know - and I'll keep the lot of you over the people I work with! >Sometimes I camp where I don't have a sewer hookup on my site. I never >feel like I can take the time to do the right job at a dumping station [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > > I should have advised you correctly, I thought one would go to the correct local government office to find out things. But if you live in the city limits a lot of time they have the building permit office or in the county if you live there. Most of the building inspectors will tell you that the health department issues permits for septic tanks. Some states require an inspector to be on site during the septic job. Some states require you to use a licensed septic installer. Some locations allow the home owner to do electric work there selves, some dont. Some rules are crazy, like here. I ran a wire from my house to my barn so I could have lights. I wanted to install a septic tank myself; Rule: If the building had electric, no permit was required for the septic. I wanted to have regular power connected to the barn with it's own meter; Rule: If you had plumbing to include septic installed, a meter and power lines could be installed. So you might have a lot of checking to do. But check the ordnance on RVs parked on the premises, some require them to be in the back yard, some dont.
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