Sofia Martinez
Backfilling a septic tank is an essential part of the installation process, and it's important to follow the correct procedures to avoid future issues. While there are several ways to backfill a plastic septic tank, the best method depends on the type of tank being installed. For example, blue BRUISER tanks and white cistern tanks can be backfilled with native soil, while yellow and black septic tanks require a sand and gravel mixture, and the tanks must be filled with water during backfilling to prevent collapse.
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What You'll Learn
Fill with gravel, top with soil and add drainage
When backfilling a plastic septic tank, it is important to follow the correct procedure to ensure the tank is secure and stable. Here is a step-by-step guide to filling with gravel, topping with soil, and adding drainage:
Prepare the Site
Select a site with good sub-soil drainage. Ensure the base is firm, level, and continuous under the entire tank. Avoid placing the tank in wet clay soils as this can affect drainage.
Use Gravel for Backfill
Backfill the tank with gravel, ensuring it is well-compacted. Gravel provides a stable base and promotes good drainage. Use gravel with a minimum size of 3/4 inch, removing any larger pebbles. Ensure the gravel is free from rocks, debris, and frozen matter.
Top with Soil
Once the gravel is compacted, add a layer of topsoil. Use a settled layer of topsoil for the final 6-8 inches. This will provide a stable surface and help prevent settling or sinking over time.
Add Drainage
If the tank is on sloped ground, run a drainage line from under the tank downhill. You can use a perforated drainage pipe to monitor the water table level and ensure proper drainage. Ensure any trenches excavated for drainage are backfilled and compacted to maintain stability.
Final Checks
Check the levelling of the tank periodically to ensure it remains vertical and has not settled. Verify that all pipes are properly supported to resist potential fractures from settling.
By following these steps, you can effectively backfill a plastic septic tank with gravel, top with soil, and add the necessary drainage for a secure and functional installation.
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Excavate the site and level the base
Excavation is a critical phase in preparing the site for a septic system. It is important to follow proper excavation techniques to prevent damage to the system and the surrounding environment. Mark the site using markers or flags to outline the area to be excavated.
The next step is to dig a pit for the septic tank, ensuring it is deep enough to accommodate the tank and allow for proper drainage. The size of a standard septic tank is usually 1,000 to 2,500 gallons, which can serve a household of 3 to 7 people. The pit should be excavated using appropriate tools such as a backhoe, excavator, shovels, or spades, depending on the size and complexity of the project.
For sites with a slope, it is crucial to follow the contours of the land to ensure the septic lines are perfectly level. This may require careful use of an excavator or consideration of alternative methods, such as a Chamber field System or a Presby septic system, which offer more surface area per foot of excavation. Additionally, tree stumps and large root systems may need to be removed, and in some cases, a different site should be selected if there are too many trees or boulders.
Throughout the excavation process, use a laser level to verify proper elevations and limit the need for imported backfill material. Avoid over-excavation unless required due to the presence of materials such as bedrock, trees, or rocks, as natural soil typically provides the most stable base for system components.
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Lower the tank carefully and check it's level
Lowering the tank carefully is a critical step in the installation process. It is important to ensure that the tank is lowered slowly and controlled into the excavation. This is to avoid any damage to the tank or the surrounding area. Once the tank is in place, the next step is to check its level, making sure it is even in both directions. This can be adjusted as needed to ensure the tank is level. It is important to follow the manufacturer's installation instructions for backfilling the tank. For example, Infiltrator's IM-Series tanks can be backfilled with native soil in 12-inch lifts on all sides.
For blue BRUISER tanks and white cistern tanks, native soil may be used for backfill, and these tanks may be left empty during the backfilling process. Yellow and black septic tanks, on the other hand, require a sand and gravel mixture for backfill and must be filled with water during backfilling to prevent possible collapse. It is important to note that the sand and gravel mixture should be free of any wood, masonry debris, silt, or clay. Additionally, the tank should be protected from sharp objects that could puncture and cause leakage.
When backfilling, it is recommended to fill the tank with water, keeping the water level even with the backfill and levelling as you go. Each layer of backfill should be compacted, especially under the inlet and outlet pipes. The maximum backfill over the top of the tank is typically 30 inches, and it is important to mound soil over the top to provide positive drainage away from the septic tank. This helps to minimise erosion and divert surface water.
Once the backfilling is complete, the final step is to place topsoil up to the final grade, ensuring proper drainage. It is important to follow state and local regulations for septic tank installation, and if there is any uncertainty, it is recommended to contact the health department or permitting authority for guidance.
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Backfill with native soil or sand/gravel mix
When backfilling a plastic septic tank, it is important to use the right materials and techniques to ensure the stability and longevity of the tank. Here are some detailed instructions for backfilling with native soil or a sand/gravel mix:
Preparing the Tank and Backfill Materials
Before beginning the backfill process, it is crucial to ensure that the tank is either empty or no more than 30% full. If it was previously filled for leak testing, drain the tank to 30% or less. Select a site with good sub-soil drainage and allow sufficient clearance around the tank to properly place and compact the backfill.
The backfill material should be free of any large rocks, clods, frozen matter, wood, masonry debris, silt, or clay. For a sand/gravel mix, ensure that the mixture is 100% smaller than 1-1/2 inches and about 50% smaller than 1/4 inches in size.
Backfilling Process
Backfill the tank with 12-inch maximum layers of native soil or the sand/gravel mix, tamping and compacting each layer as you go. Always compact the ends first and ensure that the backfill is properly placed and compacted around the lower half of the tank. Avoid machine compacting close to the tank and do not dump large volumes of fill near it.
For blue BRUISER tanks and white cistern tanks, native soil can be used for backfill, and these tanks may be left empty while backfilling. For yellow and black septic tanks, the sand/gravel mixture is required, and the tanks must be filled with water during backfilling.
Additional Considerations
It is important to periodically check the levelling of the tank to ensure it remains vertical. Add support under the pipes to resist potential pipe fractures from settling over time. If the tank is warm from sunlight, allow it to cool before completing the backfilling.
By following these instructions, you can effectively backfill a plastic septic tank with native soil or a sand/gravel mix, ensuring the stability and longevity of the tank.
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Protect the tank from sharp objects
Protecting your plastic septic tank from sharp objects is crucial to prevent punctures and leaks. Here are some detailed instructions to achieve this during the backfilling process:
Firstly, it is important to use the right materials for backfilling. The preferred material for backfilling is a mixture of sand and gravel. This mixture provides a protective barrier around the tank, ensuring that any sharp objects are kept at a safe distance from the plastic surface. The gravel also helps with drainage, which is essential for septic tanks.
When backfilling, always ensure that you fill and compact the material in layers. Start by filling the tank with water to keep the water level even with the backfill. Then, add 12-inch layers of the sand-gravel mixture, compacting each layer as you go, especially at the ends. This method ensures that the weight of the backfill is distributed evenly, reducing the risk of sharp objects penetrating the tank.
Additionally, pay close attention to the area around the inlet and outlet pipes. Tamp and compact the backfill in these areas to ensure that sharp objects cannot enter the pipes and potentially damage the tank. The maximum backfill over the top of the tank should be 30 inches, providing positive drainage.
Finally, once the backfilling is complete, consider adding a layer of protection above the tank. Mound soil over the top to a depth of about 2 feet. This extra layer of soil acts as a shield, providing further protection from any sharp objects that may be present in the surrounding area.
By following these steps, you can effectively protect your plastic septic tank from sharp objects during and after the backfilling process, ensuring the integrity of the tank and preventing potential leaks.
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Frequently asked questions
A mixture of sand and gravel is the preferred material for backfilling a plastic septic tank. For blue BRUISER tanks and white cistern tanks, native soil may also be used.
First, the tank should be carefully lowered into the properly excavated and levelled site. The backfilling process should be done per the manufacturer’s installation instructions. It is important to fill the tank with water as you backfill, keeping the water level even with the backfill. Backfill in 12-inch layers and compact each layer, tamping and compacting the backfill under inlet and outlet pipes.
After the tank is properly backfilled and compacted, place topsoil up to the final grade and provide positive drainage away from the tank. Seed the site to minimise erosion and divert surface water.
