Septic tank

[bastalker]

I have a customer that had a septic tank installed, and the guy that did it never compacted it. It has developed sink holes around the edges of the tank some of them are a foot deep and 2 feet long.

I would imagine that it will not compact anymore due to the snow fall and rain we had over the winter. Then again it might.

She wants me to give an estimate to fix this problem. Loom,(probably 5 yards would do), grading, raking, rolling, seeding.

I dont have access to a grader at the moment. Is there other options I could use to smoothe the area out. I have access to a backhoe with a front loader bucket.

How would you guys price this? would you rent a piece of equipment for this one job? Try with the backhoe? Any help would be greatly appreciated...

[PAPS]

I would use that backhoe if your an experienced enough operator you should be able to finish the job with no problem. Those septics are famous for sinking around the tanks.. it happens all the time.

[NCSULandscaper]

Dont get any type of equipment over the tank to compact the soil because you will bust the top of the tank and fall in. Just use a hand tamp and get it as good as possible then tell the customer if it settles down anymore you will do the same thing. Eventually you will get enough dirt in the hole.

[NCSULandscaper]

Personall yi would do it all by hand. Tank cant be but so big. Just get soil hauled close enough to the tank and wheelbarrow it over. Shouldnt take but an hour or less.

[SWR11]

Sounds like the spetic field wasn't installed correctly, but There are so many different regulations. You should recommend to your customer to contact the spetic installer before you go in to repair his mess. That job should be done by hand if they leave it alone.

Just my two cent;)

[bastalker]

thanx for the input guys:drinkup:

[ipm]

They are usually 6" concrete and 1000 to 1500 gallons. I would not worry about falling in. I would use whatever peice of equipment you have to keep your cost down. If you have a backhoe you can pack it down. Remember about access and repair work.

[dan deutekom]

A lot of the new tanks are plastic and unless you know for sure which it is I wouldn't run equipment over them. Also I have seen the concrete ones break when heavy equipment runs over them. The manufactures do not warranty them for that type of damage