Fiberglass septic tanks originally came about due to problems with other types. Concrete tanks tended to crack, and steel will eventually rust, sometimes sooner rather than later. Neither issue arises with a fiberglass septic tank. The trade-off is that the lightweight material’s structure can be compromised more easily. The installation process should be conducted carefully to prevent damage and, afterward, avoid driving heavy vehicles over the spot in the yard where the septic tank is buried.
The first step to installing a fiberglass septic tank is to figure out how large a tank and drainage field you need. The size of the tank is normally determined by the number of bedrooms in the house feeding it. Soil analysis tests might be necessary to figure the size of the drainage field. Contact a local septic contractor for specific information.
Your septic tank will need to be buried in the ground. At this point, be glad you chose a fiberglass model, since moving it into position is much easier. Most people choose to hire a backhoe service to dig the hole because doing it by hand could take a long time. Check local ordinances before placing the tank. There are often regulations describing how far from houses, streams and wells the tank and leaching field must be located. Don’t forget to plan to dig trenches for the inlet and outlet pipes as well. Use whatever means necessary to mark where the septic tank is. As years pass, it can become fuzzy in memory, and finding it can be difficult.
The leaching field is the area downhill from the septic tank where waste is dispersed after being treated by the tank. The field itself is nothing more than a series of 4-inch pipes with holes in them, designed to distribute the tank effluent over an area of soil for absorption. Once again, local regulations and your soil composition will determine the size and complexity of the leaching area.