How to INSTALL your Own SEPTIC SYSTEM (w Tips From a Pro)
Planning, installing and permitting a septic system yourself in Cochise County can be a little complicated. Trust us, we know! So we're bringing in Zach from Smith Septic Service to walk you through each step.
Huge shoutout to Zach for freely sharing his knowledge and empowering others. If you're like us and need an assist make sure you give him a call: smithseptics.com/
SECTIONS //
00:00 - Intro
0:31 - Our Septic Journey
1:15 - Smith Septic Service
1:40 - Soil Evaluation
3:25 - Sizing Your System
4:16 - Setbacks
5:26 - Elevation Drops
6:49 - Tank Installation
9:45 - Leach Field
11:27 - Tiny Shiny Homies
12:02 - Leach Field Trench Dimensions
14:24 - Installing Infiltrator Chambers
16:11 - Trench Problems
16:50 - Distribution Box
17:54 - ABS vs Sch35 vs Sch40 PVC
19:37 - Tank Filter
20:07 - How a Septic Tank Works
21:34 - Final Inspection & Permitting
23:19 - Septic Maintenance
24:55 - Cost Savings DIY
25:57 - Wrap Up
LINKS//
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#offgrid #septictanks #waste #rv #tinyhouse
Пікірлер: 516
I love that he's willing to answer questions and give info even if he's not doing the install. That's rare. He's a keeper!!! ❤
@JoseGonzales-ul9sv
6 ай бұрын
Not a keeper that's how is supposed to be but most of them choose not to b professional
@loveandloyalty6004
5 ай бұрын
I learn so much with each video
@Jeff-gu6nb
3 ай бұрын
@@JoseGonzales-ul9svthere's a balance between being professional and not wasting your time on somebody. It's their profession. They can't spend all day trying to help somebody for no pay.
I like that young man, Zach. He knows what he's doing - doesn't mind helping a person out with some info. Awesome. Y'all are getting there.
@rshollenback1304
10 ай бұрын
Awesome content! Your friendship will last your lifetime! How much knowledge will you both pass onto others from this great project! Bless you both! ❤
@jaymurtagh
9 ай бұрын
Zach seems to be a very knowledgeable man . And generous with that knowledge too. Thanks for sharing.
@stevewhitaker1474
8 ай бұрын
Excellent advertising for his business.
@Azariah-pv2xv
3 ай бұрын
Also a good commercial
Zach seems like the kind of guy who would instill confidence in his customers. $750 seems very reasonable.
@kevinoneill41
7 ай бұрын
For extortion😢
Wow! What a great advertisement for Zach’s business! He really knows his stuff! I hope he gets lots of calls from this video. This man is a treasure!
Zach seems so nice and knowledgeable!
We had a septic installed at our off-grid site up in Coconino County this summer. We spent $11,400 on parts, labor, and design. The permits cost another $1,100 in total.
Considering I’m having my perc test on Monday, this is not only a VERY informative video but timely as well. Thanks so much!!!
I live in Canada and I know the rules are different but wow a great amount of information! Great job!
@ianwashere2323
4 ай бұрын
Usually colder areas need deeper Leach fields so that they don't freeze. but I also assume that the setbacks and other requirements are different. Septic systems all in all are soil dependent. Different soil types require different sizes and considerations.
🔥🔥🔥🔥The Tiny Shiny Household, operates in being humble. This was another wonderful viewing experience.🔥🔥🔥plus I appreciate Zach's willingness to share his knowledge with us viewers. I would use his business if I were in such a situation hands down.
Wow. Great to know Zach's just a phone call away. What a trooper!
I can not believe I am watching someone build a crap hole and I am genuinely interested 😂
@TinyShinyHome
10 ай бұрын
Hehe
Excellent information! Septic is so important for the environment and for general good health. And, yeah, septic tanks require maintenance. One important step done. What's next?
@TinyShinyHome
10 ай бұрын
Um..the house :)
Thanks Zac! I learned more than I ever wanted about septic systems 😂 It was very interesting! 🤔Jonathan you are a very hard worker and know when to call in the big guns! I just love your channel and appreciate all that you share. Thanks Ashley and Jonathan!❤
Zach seems like a great good-ole-boy to have in your corner! It was a great video - especially the bloopers at the end! 😂 Have a wonderful weekend!
This Zach guy knows what he's doing! HIRE this guy if you live in that area! Fantastic Xpert knowledge! RARE today!
Looks like you made a new friend in the process. Zack seems like a really nice guy.
15:31 Miminum. I had to keep replaying it because it looked right and then it looked wrong. Who knew that I was be so immersed in this septic discussion? I might be in love with Z.
Thank you Zach for a wealth of knowledge. I was very impressed and who knew putting a septic in would require so much information. Very impressive and worth hiring a specialist.
When I was a kid, my uncle used to take me on jobs installing septic tanks, so I had work during the summer. Back then, I thought my mom didn't want me at home; now, I'm glad he taught me all those life skills because I still know how to install and service septic tanks. These are lifelong skills, and I'm so glad I learned them. If I get fired from my current dev job, I can always transition into this work.
Sounds like a whole ordeal! I'm sure you are glad it's done! Our leach field is 100 feet long, our son's one bedroom house (right next door) had to be 225 feet long! Soil types can vary so much out here! 🌞🏜️
@TinyShinyHome
10 ай бұрын
You must have a lot more clay than us :)
@RedandAprilOff-Grid
10 ай бұрын
@@TinyShinyHome Yes, it's great for building an earthen home, but terrible for installing the septic system.
@damogranheart5521
10 ай бұрын
@@RedandAprilOff-Grid Sounds like you could start your own pottery there! Mercy!
That was just hilarious. Easy to see you all are going to be friends for a long time. :D
The intro was great! I have to give you a big thumbs up for trying on your own and calling in the pro to button things up. We used to pump out our tank every few years.
Like you I'm a DIYer. With all the info you and Zach provided I'm a little less intimidated by putting in my septic system. Thank you
Honestly - I put off watching this video because I really had no interest in septic systems....but you two were a hoot and I enjoyed learning something new!!!
We owned our house in the country for about 18 years before we knew we were.supposed to be pumping the tank every few years. We completely clogged our drywell ( a different system them yours) and had to dig a second dry well. Luckily we didn't have to redo the whole system!
@TinyShinyHome
10 ай бұрын
Heard lots of those stories for sure!
I just chucked at Ashely chiming in “You should have called Zack”! My goodness I just love y’all’s family!!!
So cool. Zac is amazing. You keep finding wonderful people with the same vibe😂 love it❤
Thanks for the information on septic systems. Zach is the man.
Should have called Zak!! Lol that was funny
That was a fun video to watch, Zach has a great sense of the humor you all throw at each other. Good job Zach! Should have called Zach to save your Back! lol
I’ve been installing septic systems for 45+ years and I think Zack did a pretty good job explaining ! Your soil test is everything it determines what you can install . You are very fortunate to be able to have the type of septic system that you installed . in West Central, Ohio, where I am from in some areas. Seasonal water tables are very high, and that can result in a very expensive septic system! The most expensive septic system that I’ve done for a three bedroom house was a mound system that cost the homeowner $32,000!
@TinyShinyHome
9 ай бұрын
Yes, desert sand has it's advantages and disadvantages :)
@boward6686
9 ай бұрын
@@TinyShinyHome 👍👍
The light of the shot is truly spectacular. Like, I know it was probably a weird time of day, and you were trying to get your thing filmed before storms arrive, but just... the gentle light, the glorious clouds, those shots where it's clearly drizzling just a little, and the raindrops are catching the light... truly gorgeous.
@TinyShinyHome
10 ай бұрын
Yeah it was beautiful that night
Priceless information. Installing all of that in a day is super impressive. Obviously a professional who knows what he is doing.
I like to put an inspection riser on the D-box. Makes it easier to inspect the field if there is a problem. Also makes getting a septic cert a piece of cake for a sale of the house.
I live in municipality of Anchorage in Alaska. I hired Brent Western of first water consulting to design, engineer and inspect the installation and I hired JR's septic in chugiak Alaska to the excavation and install. When I received a final COSA (certificate of on-site systems approval) on my Advantex system signed by the engineer and city DEC engineers. It was not a functioning I had to call and let the city know that it did not work because the electrician didnt hook it up, because no one did any final inspections they just rubber stamped it. A cosa (inspection) is just a way for the government to tax you here in Alaska.
Always trust a guy with an awesome beard. Zach is awesome.
Y’all are great! You learned good lessons to pass on to the uninitiated! I was blessed to have only helped our installer place a very large system in the central Texas limestone. Solid limestone! He rock hammered & dug with his tractor, I followed his instructions. No deceiving myself, I needed him. Your enthusiasm is infectious. A picture is worth a million words, especially since some of your words might not have been printable. Good job, congrats!
@BreakingElegance
5 ай бұрын
You do know "casa de caca" means house of poop in Spanish
Great information! Thank you for showing us the ins and outs. I know a few people who are struggling with this
HOWdy T-S-H, ... Thanks for taking us ALONG ... I purchased a RURAL Home 20 years ago & the previous OWNER did not even KNOW where the SEPTIC Tank was LOCATED !!! ... & consequently - she had Never / EVER had the Septic Tank PUMPED-OUT in the 15 years she had lived here !!! ... I assume the Septic System was close to FAILURE sometime PRIOR to me PURCHASING the 7.58 acre House & Property ... BUT did you know that a HillBilly FIX on a bad / Failing LEACH Field is to cover the wet spots in the YARD with CARPETING & a layer of DIRT & call it "FIXED" !!! LOL ... I located & dug up the ACCESS PORTS & brought in a SEPTIC SERVICE to finally pump - Pump - PUMP out the 1,000 gallon TANK & the LEACH Field slowly came back to a somewhat healthy OPERATION ... Thanks for bringing "in" the EXPERT COOP the WiSeNhEiMeR from Richmond, INDIANA ...
Hi guys hope you guys are having a great day hope everything is fine hope you guys get that housework done whatever you guys got to do have a great day
I now know a lot more stuff about septic systems. Thank You!!
Great information! I really enjoyed the outtakes at the end, too. 😀 I paid 15K for my septic system here in Maine a couple of years ago, but that involved two tanks -- one to pump the gunk uphill to the leach field area (away from the lake), removal of several trees, and bringing in lots of big boulders to secure the hillside. It was a huge project, and I think I got a very good deal.
@TinyShinyHome
10 ай бұрын
You did get a good deal!
I couldn’t take my eyes off the sky behind Jonathan and Zach… just magical!!! You sure have a beautiful property. I’ll watch it again to listen undistracted by those clouds. 😂
Great information and explanation Zach!
Best vid on septic! Thank you. May all your projects be blessed!
Let the flow begin, thanks Zack it's like a big septic smoothie 💩🤢👌💚 , have a good weekend and count your blessings amen .
You are a lifesaver. I just purchased property down in Cochise County right outside of Elfrida. I will definitely be reaching out to Zack.
This is extraordinarily helpful, thank you.
"Shudda called Zach!" Love it! And I just might call Zach when it's time for mine to be pumped/serviced :-) Thanks for all the info you share.
NEOHIO here. Thanks for the information. We know it is not the same regulations and such from state to state, county to county, but it was good to know stuff. Ada is my mother's name.
Thanks Zac for all of your help...
A big 👍to the people like Zach that have taken the time to understand the process and bureaucracy of the County and not every County is the same so check with them first and get the latest information on requirements and all your materials and measurements. Yes DIY is a money saver if your Zack. Not so much if your not 👍. But someone has to get on the end of a shovel and glue all the pieces together etc... if you are good with that thats all the DIY people like Zach need. Again good video 👍I was worried about this on that first video 😂
Loved this episode! I learned so much about septic systems. Loved Zach.
Excellent video. One of the best I've seen on DIY septic systems.
That was very good advice. Right on Zac.lam sure you all are glad that night mare is now over. Good luck on your house build be safe and God bless you all 👍🏗️🙏🐼
Thank you Zach. ❤❤ These are awesome people!
Seems Zach is an excellent professional in that he will offer services, knowledge, help without attitude.
I can feel that this Zach is a nice gentleman, very helpful and good person to do business with.
Zach is so full of knowledge!! Great beard, too!!!😊
ngl zach sounds like a fun guy to be around!
Thank you for that general knowledge. It's always good to know the basics of HOW. It's also always good to know WHEN (to call in the professional).
I loved this video Ashley & Jonathan! Very educational and Zach was great too!
Good video! I live in Ukraine, we are using this kind of septic system in almost every village. There should be 3 separate tanks (or arias in one tank), connected by pipes on top. First tank takes "black" (or dirty) water - the heavy parts (poo) will fall down, the light parts (fat) - will be on top. Water in the middle is fine and should go into second tank (you need to add t-shaped pipe fittings on the start of each tank-to-tank pipe, like this: |------ > water goes out ). Second tank's purpose it to "enlight" the water. This tank is the home of bacterias (anaerobic bacterias - if you use passive system without pomps). There is not problem of having multiple tanks on this step. Last tank (or third one) - is alternative to to drainage system. It should not have any bottom, just install it as is into soil (you have quite sandy soil, it is perfect) and add some 10 cm (4 inches) of big fraction gravel into it. The bottom of this last tank will be full of bacterias and eventually (in 5-10 years, depends on soil and usage) the remains of bacterias will block filtration. The solution is simple - just dig another hole for next tank. The cheapest material for this type of septic is concrete pipes (identical to "risers" on your video, from 1 m in diameter to 2 m). Drainage field (as you did on your video) is also used in Ukraine, but it is expensive (extra work and materials), also has limited life span (5-10 years) and makes sense only if your soil is full of clay, so it takes a lot of time for soil to consume the water. I personally have septic system, described above, it works perfectly on sandy soil. Also important to add that last tank should have ventilation pipe, and your sewerage pipe should "start" on the roof of the house. It solves two problems: 1) bacterias produces gas, that goes thought sewerage pipe into atmosphere, so you don't have this smell close to tank of drainage field; 2) when you flush the toilet on second flor, and your sewerage pipe is sealed, this will create pressure that will take water from sink nearby and eventually smelly gas from tank will find it's way into your house (especially if you are not using this sink often).
Even though I don"t live in Arizona. I want to thank you guys for some really great info. The video was entertaining and very informative. Nice job
Great NFO. Installing a septic for a tiny home and this gives me general guidelines.
Your entire series is homesteading made easy! I love Cochise county, Chiricahua National Monument, Bisbee, Tombstone was fun. I needed and found a great mechanic in Wilcox that was super fair and took me right away.
I know if we were building in AZ, I'd be calling Smith Septic; great content here guys, really appreciate it!
As a first time property owner, this helped out a lot. Thank you. Videos like this always help out somebody!!
Great video - very well shot and you've provided some great and valuable information. Thank you to Zach too! It's great to see small business owner's like him who don't mind explaining things and communicating the process in an understandable way. Thanks!
Great watch. Watching for outside America install with limitedd standards countrywide. Many thanks.
Thanks for giving folks a price quote,on the paperwrk. Down earth plain and simple.
Oh, my brother-in-law Zach!! Great job...
This is one of the reasons I love Thailand. I will be putting in 10 septic systems over the next 5 years. One for each Bungalow and a bigger one for the main house. Here in Thailand, if you live in the countryside like I do, you can get away with a very simple septic. Those risers you have for your septic tank, they use 3 of them, one on top of the others and they have some holes in them to let the liquids soke into the surrounding dirt. Every 2 or three months, you have a honey truck come and pump it out. It's a simple syatem but it works. For the big house I will put in a septic system like what you are putting in because of the size of the house and the amount of people using it. ❤
@slynn5138
5 ай бұрын
Definitely things are much easier in other countries but you REALLY have to keep a close eye on every single aspect of who ever is doing the installation (unless you’re doing it yourself). I’ve built homes in Mexico, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Bali. What I’ve seen some “contractors” do to many homeowners would make just about anyone cry. I’m talking about not putting any steel reinforcing in foundations and retaining walls, trash shoved into walls so there’s less concrete required, sketchy electrical and plumbing work, et c… I could go on for days with the shi+ that I’ve seen. I get asked all the time if I’ll repair some of this work but unfortunately I always have to decline. I can’t afford to have my name attached to any of it and most homeowners don’t understand the costs involved with chasing shoddy construction and redoing everything correctly. Hope things go well for you in Thailand, it’s a beautiful country with wonderful people.
Zach is so sweet guy….bravo and he knows his job……excellent choice !
Great educational episode!
Dynamic duo!! Great question! One of the best informational videos on the "bigger" picture of septic systems 🔥
Talking to my sister about your channel. She is now a new subscriber. 😍🇨🇦
@TinyShinyHome
10 ай бұрын
Awesome! Thank you!
Good video! Really sucks about all the extortion, err permits that go along with installing one.
Zach seems like such a great guy. Thank goodness he was there for you guys💩
GREAT information. He really knows his stuff.
Hurrah for Zack and finishing the septic tank!
@Bildgesmythe
10 ай бұрын
Edit for spelling, oops
@damogranheart5521
10 ай бұрын
@@Bildgesmythe I blame it on the Autocorrect! A handy scapegoat that can't narc on you!
I'm a graphic designer and LOVE the Smith Septic logo. Bold and striking.
Thanks for explaining how you needed to design your own septic system. Thanks Zach for helping the Tiny Shiny Homesteaders to figure out their septic system. Zach is a "well" of information! I'm so glad he helped you. I thought it was humorous to see the name of the Tiny Shiny Homies of "Barry Litchfield" for this video. Sorry Barry, your name sounds similar to "leach field" said in this video. I hope you never had this "used" against you growing up! I have very rarely heard this word. I'm so glad no one got hit by lightning while you filmed this video. Thanks for it!
We installed our system and the inspector designed it for us. Im in SC near sea level. It was not hard to permit and design. The work involved digging in the ground. Our setback was 10 ft from the perimeter of the property, 75 ft from well to the leach feild and 15 ft from the leach to another layer of flood zoning. Its not hard to understand. Its much harder to put in the work. We ended up doing 2 systems for 2 structures into 1 feild. Hopefully everyone has a great inspector like we did. We went with EZ Flow because infultrators wouldn't work close to sea level. We have 2 1,000 gallon tanks to a D-box with a leach feild of 40x100 feet. We ran schedule 40 to our D-box with only 45% joints not 90% joints. We also supported evey joint with blocks and concrete. This was recommended by the inspector if it was his house. We gladly took the recommendation. We also put a structure foundation below each tank as recommended from the inspector.
Loved this very informative! Loved the guys slide in together
1:09 answering "FAR T"oo many questions, I see what you did there!
@TinyShinyHome
10 ай бұрын
Hah I see what YOU did there!
@cavenerd
10 ай бұрын
@@TinyShinyHome Sorry, I am prone to fart jokes! They said it would pass with age but I am still waiting
Excellent presentation of this process. Thank you. More money to hire someone but at least you know it’s done right and it’s quickly done. Thanks for the video
Best video on DYI and some professional advice on concerns or advice on an install. Saving this video and passing it along. I did a repair on mine and took way to much time trying to watch vodeos that did get to the point like these guy's did. Great job relaying pertinent information and why,thanks for sharing.
Zach could supplement his income with KZread if he wanted to go down _that_ rabbit hole. He's got the right charisma that you need but few people talk about.
Far more interesting than I would have thought.
Guys like Zach are rare! Good video
Good thing your county doesn't require the Aerobic Clearwater System like here in Texas because those are big bucks!
I'm about to put my DIY septic in this was very beneficial thank you Ive been researching but never understood the process but this video truly helps with the understanding of how to install thank you!!!
Thanks for keeping it real, both with the "pitfalls" of doing your own septic (see what I did there), and the bloopers reel at the end! ❤ your educational videos!!
man this was so informational word for word thanks guys you were a big inspiration to me and my build ...J'hon From Georgia
As a future homesteader, I absolutely loved the full breakdown given in this video. Moral of the story: SAVE & THEN......HIRE A PROFESSIONAL!!!🤣🤣🤣
Great information! We just bought virgin property in Mohave county for our forever home and learning about all the requirements for mechanical and utility systems. Thanks.
Holy cow! That full septic system cost is about the value of my whole property. Also, it would take up most of the property. I really didn't know it would be so expensive/complicated to put something in. I've planned to have a "primitive system" (outhouse/composting-toilet), so I didn't think I'd need a septic, but hadn't actually asked yet. I'm still waiting until I have some help before I call to get the design/PERC test done. Now I'm worried that I might not be able to afford to put in what's required. Some day we'll have a system where things like this aren't preventing people from living on their own land.
@TinyShinyHome
10 ай бұрын
Yeah I think most people assume their property is the most expensive thing they'll need to buy to live off grid, but that's not the case at all, unfortunately. Building power, water, septic, etc... is hugely expensive.
@thewiseturtle
10 ай бұрын
@@TinyShinyHome I just thought that if I had a primitive system I wouldn't need anything fancy like a tank. As for water and electric, I was just planning on simple systems. I've already lived off grid before (on someone else's land), and have a small solar electric system, and just got rainwater off the roof. I'm going to cross my fingers and hope things are really affordable, but also, thanks for the explanation of what's going on with all of your septic stuff, as it's made me realize I need to ask a bunch more questions from my town office soon! :-)
Good job! I did one in Marlton NJ years ago but it was a pump system / sand mound. I replaced a cesspit which is just the tank, no field. I rented an excavator for a week to dig everything, had a septic company design it and the cost was around $11-12k vs $30-40k I was originally quoted. Lot of work but I also hired some day labor from a contractor friend. I also got a recommendation from the tank company and paid a pro to come out and set the tank. I got a break because I had the excavator on site. The truck couldn't drop the tank directly so it had to be driven around hooked to the excavator and there was no way I wanted to try that myself... Fun, stressful, but so worth it. I probably could have done it cheaper by doing more myself but it was a good mix overall. Oh, I forgot I also had an electrician do the hookup for the pump part of it. The way it works is the effluent is pumped into pipes and it sprays out into the sand mound then percs down. So there's the pump and a high water alarm that needed to be installed.
Love it, Great video. The world needs more DIY'rs and cool, down to earth Tradesmen like Zack.