Does my septic tank need replacing or just repair?
A tank is replaced when it is cracked, leaking or collapsed, or when a repair permit calls for it. Many tank problems are smaller. A missing baffle, a damaged lid or a full tank can be fixed without a new one.
If the trouble might be the field, check that first. A location and inspection visit finds the tank and shows what condition the parts are in.
What happens first when installing a septic tank?
Before any digging, the site goes through the health department.
Call the local health department
The health department tells you what the site needs. In Central Virginia the Lynchburg office is at (434) 477-5900. Confirm what your site needs with them before anything is scheduled.
Soil evaluation and design
VDH accepts site evaluations and designs from an Authorized On-site Soil Evaluator, or from a Professional Engineer working with one. DPOR licenses these professionals and the installers.
Permit before digging
A construction permit is needed before a septic system is installed, and the building permit waits on it.
How is a septic tank sized?
The design decides the size. VDH designs residential systems for a peak flow of 150 gallons per day per bedroom, so the bedroom count on the permit matters. Adding bedrooms later can leave a system too small for the house.
Tank material and any local rules also come into it. EPA lists tank size as one of the four things that set how often you pump.
Which septic system fits red clay soil?
Much of the Piedmont is red clay that can slow water movement. That is why the soil work comes before the tank is chosen. The tank is only one part of the system; the field type follows the soil.
- Conventional trench: gravel or chamber trenches on soil that absorbs well enough
- Pressure-dosed: a pump sends effluent in doses through small pipes; Virginia Tech says the field can be up to 50 percent smaller in good soil
- Mound or alternative: sand fill on top of the ground where soil is shallow or wet
The designer and the health department choose the system type, not the installer.
What happens on septic tank installation day?
The excavation is dug to the permitted depth, the tank is set on a prepared base, and the lids are brought to the surface level. The house line is connected to the inlet and the outlet runs to the distribution box or pump chamber. A riser is easiest to add now.
The health department inspects the work before backfill. After approval VDH issues an operation permit.
How long does a septic tank installation take?
Permit lead time can take longer than the digging. On-site work is usually short, but the permit, soil evaluation and weather set the calendar. Ask for a schedule once the permit is in hand. The soil evaluation and design come first, then the construction permit, and only then does the excavator arrive. After the tank is set, the health department inspects before backfill, so the trench stays open until that visit is done.
How far from Lynchburg are tanks installed?
Installations run up to 120 miles from Lynchburg, which reaches the Roanoke Valley and Charlottesville area. The permits guide lists who to call in each county.
On the job
Photos from Dunn Rite job sites.
Common questions
Do I need a permit before a septic tank is installed in Virginia?
Yes. A construction permit from the local health department is needed before installation, and the building permit waits on it. The health department also inspects the work before backfill, and VDH then issues the operation permit that lets you use the system. Starting without the construction permit can stop a house sale or a certificate of occupancy.
How far will Dunn Rite travel to install a septic system?
Up to 120 miles from Lynchburg for septic installations. Routine pumping and service run within about 40 miles. Call (434) 221-9885 with the address so the office can tell you whether the site is in range, which health district covers it and whether the soil work can start.
Who is allowed to install a septic system in Virginia?
DPOR licenses onsite sewage system installers, and VDH recommends checking a provider’s license there. Designs come from an Authorized On-site Soil Evaluator or a Professional Engineer working with one. A homeowner who is not licensed should not install a system, and the health department inspects the work before it is covered.
How long does a septic tank last?
There is no fixed number. Material, soil, installation quality and maintenance all matter. Pumping every 3 to 5 years and keeping grease, wipes and chemicals out are the best ways to extend a tank’s life. A tank that stays dry on the outside and level on its base is less likely to crack or leak.
Can a tank be replaced without replacing the drain field?
Sometimes, if the field is sound and the permit allows it. A failing or undersized field has to be addressed as part of the same project, and the design may change the tank size too. A locating and inspection visit shows the condition of both before anyone commits to replacing only one.
How is a septic tank sized for my house?
By the number of bedrooms. VDH designs for 150 gallons per day per bedroom, so the permit’s bedroom count sets the capacity. Adding bedrooms later may require the system to be re-evaluated, and a house with more bedrooms than the permit lists can be out of compliance without anyone knowing it.