Do you fall into one of these two categories? 

One, you own property and want a septic system installed on it. Two, you want to buy a property and eventually put a septic system on it. 

Either way, this question may have popped into your mind: “What is the process of getting a septic system?” It’s a good question to ask because it will require no small investment of time and money from you. 

To answer your question, the BBB Septic team wrote this blog to walk you through the process. After reading this, you should have a good idea of what to expect! 

To learn more about the process of getting a septic system, we invite you to keep reading.

The First and Most Important Factor

Your property’s soil is the most important part of your septic system design. If your soil has too much natural moisture or clay in it, then your municipality won’t allow us to install a septic system for you. 

To qualify for a septic system, you’ll need to have an adequate amount of “good” soil. This soil will separate your effluent or wastewater from groundwater (which we drink) and bedrock. 

Without the right kind and amount of soil, a septic system can’t work properly.

Soil Science

The old method of assessing soil is called percolation testing or a “perc test”. It consisted of digging a 12-inch hole, pouring water into it, and seeing how fast the water drained out of the hole. But… 

It turns out that everything “percs” during the summer. So Dr. Moye Rutledge, a professor at the University of Arkansas, developed a better method of testing – a method based on a science called morphology. 

In morphology testing, one of the factors we look at is the color of your soil, which can tell us a story about how water will move through it. We also look at soil texture (especially clay content), seasonal water tables, depth to bedrock, and whether the soil is naturally formed or is “fill material”. 

Morphology testing also allows us to see how your soil will perform throughout the year, not just one day. 

So, while it may look like we’re just playing in the mud, we’re conducting a scientific process!

The Soil Report

After we perform your soil test, you will receive a “soil report”. When reading this document, the section you want to focus on is called the “Amount of Lateral Line Needed”. 

This section goes over the features we observed in your soil. These features help us predict how many gallons per square foot per day of wastewater your soil can process. This is known as your Soil Loading Rate (SLR). 

We take your SLR, along with the number of bedrooms in your home – or the number of people for your commercial property – and calculate the amount of lateral lines required for your system.

Permitting

Before we can install your system, you must have a Septic System Permit from the Arkansas Department of Health. At BBB Septic, we’re always happy to help with this process! 

To obtain this permit, we’ll need to know some general details about your property including the square footage of your house and its location, and plans for other structures like pools and shops. 

We’ll then mark the locations of your house, septic tank, septic distribution device, and lateral fields with flags.We’ll take this information and prepare a drawing and application packet to be submitted to the health department for review. 

The health department will then send an inspector to your property to look at the soil and review the design. If they determine that the design will work and is up to code, they will issue your “Septic System Permit for Construction”. 

Keep in mind that this permit is good for one year. After one year, the permit will need to be “revalidated”.

Final Approval

Once we receive your permit, we’ll create an estimate and mail the entire packet to you. After you approve the estimate, we can begin the installation process. 

If you’re building a new home, we prefer to install the system any time after the plumbing for the structure has been “roughed in”. At this stage, your fixtures and appliances aren’t installed yet and your plumbing is still exposed. 

Lastly, a health department inspector will review the construction of your system and then issue you a “Septic System Permit for Operation”. This is the final piece of approval you’ll need, unless you need to obtain a Certificate of Occupancy. BBB Septic and Portable Toilets has provided high-quality septic system services to Northwest Arkansas for 36 years. So if you need septic system design, maintenance, repair, or installation, contact us today by clicking here.

Professional septic installation is crucial for homeowners in Siloam Springs, AR. Ensuring a well-functioning and long-lasting system benefits the homeowner and protects the environment. Let’s explore why professional installation is so important.

Compliance with Local Regulations and Codes: 

Professional septic installation ensures compliance with local regulations and codes in Siloam Springs, AR. Noncompliance can result in legal and financial consequences. Licensed professionals familiar with local requirements provide invaluable expertise, helping you avoid potential issues.

Protecting the Environment: 

Environmental protection is greatly aided by proper septic installation. Professional septic installation promotes a cleaner and healthier community, which reduces the danger of groundwater contamination, soil pollution, and other environmental risks associated with badly installed systems. In addition to the financial savings that stem from avoiding repair and replacement costs, a professionally installed septic system can offer homeowners peace of mind. They can rest assured that their system has been constructed with care and expertise, reducing the risk of environmental hazards such as groundwater contamination and soil degradation. This attention to detail and commitment to sustainability further enhances the property’s value and the homeowners’ overall satisfaction.

Siloam Springs, AR: 

A City with a Rich Heritage and Growing Community: Siloam Springs, AR, boasts a rich heritage, vibrant community, and dedication to providing a high quality of life for its residents. Professional septic installation contributes to the well-being and growth of the community by ensuring effective waste management and protecting the environment.

Accurate Sizing and System Selection: 

Selecting the appropriate septic system type and size for a property in Siloam Springs, AR, is essential. Professional installers possess the expertise to make informed decisions about system selection, ensuring optimal functionality and efficiency for your unique property.

Proper Drain Field Preparation and Installation: 

It is impossible to stress the importance of adequate drain field installation and preparation for a septic system’s overall performance and lifespan. Skilled installers have the skills and background to manage these crucial sewage installation components.

Avoiding Costly Repairs and System Failures: 

Professional septic installation is crucial for homeowners, as it helps prevent costly repairs and system failures from improper installation. By investing in experienced and skilled professionals from the outset, homeowners can ensure that their septic system is designed and installed to meet the highest standards of quality and efficiency. This decision guarantees optimal performance and minimizes the likelihood of encountering problems that require expensive fixes or even full system replacements.

Enhancing Property Value: 

In Siloam Springs, AR, a professionally installed septic system can significantly contribute to a property’s value and overall appeal. Potential homebuyers recognize the importance of a well-functioning and long-lasting septic system, as it ensures the proper treatment and disposal of wastewater on the property. By investing in a high-quality septic system, homeowners can not only enhance the functionality of their homes but also create an attractive selling point for future buyers.

A septic system designed, installed, and maintained by experienced professionals guarantees optimal performance and minimal risk of environmental issues, such as groundwater contamination. This commitment to quality and sustainability is highly attractive to environmentally-conscious homebuyers who prioritize responsible waste management.

Furthermore, a reliable septic system reduces the need for frequent repairs and maintenance, leading to long-term savings for homeowners. This cost-effective solution can be a persuasive factor for potential buyers considering the total cost of ownership when making a purchase decision.

Long-term Maintenance and Support: 

Regular maintenance is vital in keeping a septic system functional and efficient. Professional septic installers in Siloam Springs, AR, can guide appropriate maintenance schedules and practices, ensuring the system’s longevity and optimal performance.

Investing in professional septic installation is essential for homeowners in Siloam Springs, AR. With the help of reputable companies like BBB Septic Solutions, you can enjoy a well-functioning, efficient, and long-lasting septic system that benefits you and the environment. Make the right choice for your home and the community by prioritizing professional septic installation.

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Avoid Costly Repairs with Expert Northwest Arkansas Septic Services

Replacing your septic tank when necessary is crucial to maintaining a healthy and functional home environment. Professional septic tank replacements offer numerous benefits, including adherence to local regulations and environmental protection, ensuring the longevity and efficiency of your system.

Importance of Timely Septic Tank Replacement: 

It’s essential to replace your septic tank when it reaches the end of its lifespan or becomes damaged. Timely replacement protects the environment from potential contamination, complies with local regulations, and maintains the system’s overall performance. Neglecting septic tank replacement can lead to costly repairs, health hazards, and environmental issues.

Lowell, AR: A Thriving City with a Focus on Sustainability: 

Lowell, AR, is a growing city committed to sustainability and development. Proper waste management plays a significant role in preserving the city’s ecological balance and quality of life. Residents are encouraged to proactively address septic tank issues, ensuring a cleaner and healthier community.

Signs That Your Septic Tank Needs Replacement: 

Common indicators that your septic tank requires replacement include persistent odors, slow drainage, and unusually green or soggy patches in your yard. Addressing these issues promptly can help prevent further complications, such as damage to your property or environmental hazards.

The Risks of DIY Septic Tank Replacements: 

Attempting to replace a septic tank without professional assistance can be risky. DIY septic tank replacements may damage the tank or drain field, have inadequate installation, or be non-compliance with local regulations. These hazards can lead to costly repairs and potential legal penalties.

The Value of Professional Expertise in Septic Tank Replacements: 

Hiring professional septic tank replacement services in Lowell, AR, offers numerous advantages. Professionals possess knowledge of local regulations and permits, ensuring compliance with the law. Additionally, they can help you select the appropriate tank size and type for your property, ensuring optimal performance.

Ensuring Environmental Safety During Septic Tank Replacement: 

Professional septic tank replacement services prioritize environmental safety. They follow all necessary steps to adhere to environmental regulations and safeguard groundwater quality, including properly handling waste material and minimizing the risk of contamination during the replacement process.

Prolonging the Life of Your New Septic System: 

Professional septic tank replacement contributes to the longevity of your new septic system. Proper tank positioning, adequate drain field preparation, and the use of high-quality materials all play a role in ensuring a long-lasting, efficient septic system.

The Benefits of Regular Maintenance After Septic Tank Replacement: 

Regular maintenance is vital in keeping your new septic system functional and efficient. Professional septic tank replacement services in Lowell, AR, can guide appropriate maintenance schedules and practices, helping you prevent costly repairs and prolong the life of your system.

Choosing the Right Septic Tank Replacement Service in Lowell, AR: 

When selecting a professional septic tank replacement service in Lowell, AR, consider factors such as licensing, experience, customer reviews, and services offered. BBB Septic Solutions is a reputable company known for its expertise and commitment to customer satisfaction.

Investing in professional septic tank replacements in Lowell, AR, ensures your system’s health, safety, and longevity. By choosing a reputable service provider and adhering to proper maintenance practices, you can enjoy a well-functioning and long-lasting septic system, contributing to a sustainable and healthy community.

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How to Determine the Cost of Installing or Replacing a Septic System in Bella Vista, AR

Installations of septic tanks are essential for maintaining a safe and useful living space. A septic system that has been professionally installed ensures durability and effectiveness while also safeguarding the environment and abiding by local laws. We’ll talk about the value of expert installation in Bentonville, AR, in this blog.

Importance of Proper Septic Tank Installation

Having a properly installed septic tank is essential for several reasons. First, local regulations and codes must be followed to ensure the system is legal and safe. Second, proper installation protects the environment by preventing sewage leaks and groundwater contamination. Lastly, a well-installed septic system performs optimally, ensuring efficient waste processing and a long lifespan.

Bentonville, AR: A Growing City with Rich History

Bentonville, AR, is a city with a rich history and rapid growth. As the city develops, proper waste management is essential to maintaining progress and ecological balance. Professional septic tank installations contribute to Bentonville’s commitment to environmental protection while supporting the city’s ongoing expansion.

The Risks of DIY Septic Tank Installations: 

DIY septic tank installations can lead to numerous hazards. Improper placement, incorrect sizing, or damage to the tank or drain field can result in costly repairs and even legal penalties. These issues could also lead to environmental contamination and negatively impact your property’s value.

The Value of Professional Expertise

Professional septic tank installers in Bentonville, AR, offer invaluable expertise. They are knowledgeable about local regulations and permits, ensuring your system is compliant. Additionally, they can select the appropriate tank size and type for your property, optimizing system performance and longevity.

Ensuring Environmental Safety

Environmental protection is a top priority for qualified septic tank installers. To comply with environmental regulations and safeguard the quality of the groundwater, they adhere to strict guidelines during the installation process. This protects not only your property but also the surrounding neighborhood and ecosystem.

Prolonging the Life of Your Septic System

Professional installation contributes to a longer-lasting septic system. Proper tank positioning, adequate drain field preparation, and the use of high-quality materials all play a role in ensuring your system’s durability and performance over time.

The Benefits of Regular Maintenance

Regular maintenance is essential for keeping your septic system functional and efficient. Professional septic tank installers in Bentonville, AR, can provide guidance on appropriate maintenance schedules and practices, helping you protect your investment and avoid costly repairs.

Choosing the Right Septic Tank Installer in Bentonville, AR: Selecting a professional septic tank installer in Bentonville, AR, involves considering factors such as licensing, experience, customer reviews, and services offered. BBB Septic Solutions is a trusted provider that meets these criteria, offering expertise and dedication to customer satisfaction.

Contact BBB Septic Today

In Bentonville, AR, professional septic tank installations are essential for the health, safety, and longevity of your system. Investing in professional services ensures a well-functioning, long-lasting, and environmentally responsible septic system. Protect your property and the environment by choosing a professional septic tank installer like BBB Septic Solutions.

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A Guide to Professional Septic Tank Replacements in Lowell, AR

If you’re looking to replace or install a septic tank system on your property, you need to be sure you work with an experienced company that can handle all of your needs and answer all of your questions from designing the system and discussing permit applications, to installing your new system and maintaining it. A poorly designed or installed system can result in health hazards, environmental pollution, property damage, costly replacement, and legal risks. At BBB Septic and Portable Toilets, we can provide the necessary guidance, based on your needs, and can answer every question you have concerning septic system design, installation, and maintenance. 

How Does an Onsite Wastewater System Work? 

The industry term for septic systems is Onsite Wastewater System. “Septic System” is the common term, but because all system types aren’t septic (some are aerobic), the official term is Onsite Wastewater. Onsite means the wastewater system is treated on the site or on the property that it is serving instead of being piped to a big, central treatment facility. Approximately 40% of Arkansans are served by onsite wastewater systems. Nationally, approximately 25% of people utilize an onsite wastewater system. Since the wastewater of a home, restaurant, or office is being dispersed and treated mere feet from the building, it is very important for a “septic system” to be designed and installed correctly. 

Whether you live in Bella Vista, Cave Springs, or Centerton, you need to work with a reliable and experienced septic system company that can ensure your system is properly designed, installed, and maintained. 

Properly maintaining your system is of the utmost importance in order to keep it functioning properly for as long as possible. Failure to do so can result in the need to replace your entire system. 

BBB Septic and Portable Toilets can provide all of those services and more here in Northwest Arkansas.

Licensed Septic System Designer 

The first step in getting a “septic system” is to hire an Arkansas licensed Septic System Designer in Benton & Washington Counties, or the surrounding area. Your local health department can provide you with a list for your area. The Septic System Designer will meet you at your property and discuss your building plans. Or, if your current septic system is having problems, they will work with you to design a repair solution. The designer will bring an excavator or backhoe to dig soil test pits. These test pits will be about 4 ft deep, 3 ft wide and 6 ft long. The designer will climb down into the pit and evaluate the soil. In evaluating the soil, the designer looks for signs of water saturation, clay percentage, depth to bedrock, compaction, and more. These observations and the number of bedrooms in a home (depends on the project), will determine the type and size of onsite wastewater system that will be needed. In some cases, the soil test reveals that the soil will not support any type of wastewater system and the land may be unbuildable.

Working with a knowledgeable septic system designer in Bentonvillve can ensure you choose the right size and type of wastewater system for your home. To learn more about how a septic system designer can help, contact the team at BBB Septic and Portable Toilets. 

Field Design 

The second step is the field design. The designer will bring equipment to the site to take specific measurements and mark the locations of the house, septic tank, distribution device and absorption lines. There must be a certain amount of elevation change between the house and the tank, the tank and the distribution device and the distribution device and the absorption lines. The absorption lines must be no more than 100 feet long each and must follow the contour of the land. There are many rules and regulations overseeing the design of a septic system. For example, no part of a septic system can be within 100 feet of a drinking water well (to prevent groundwater contamination). Our septic system designers have extensive field design experience and know the importance of getting the job done right, the first time. 

Permit Application Packet

The third step will be to prepare the permit application packet. Included in this packet are officially required forms with information about the property owner, the location, system type and soil test results. In addition, the elevation measurements for the different components, product specification sheets and a detailed drawing of the septic system is required. This packet is then submitted to the Arkansas Department of Health (with a review fee) for consideration.

The Arkanasa Department of Health has offices for each fo the 75 counties in Arkansas, our team will submit the application to the county office in which the design request is located. 

Application Evaluation 

The fourth step is for the health department to evaluate the application. This involves the inspector making a site visit to ensure that the inspector and the designer agree on the soil test. The inspector will double check all the field markings of the components to see if the layout meets code. They will evaluate the paper application and then issue a Permit for Construction for an Onsite Wastewater System. This permit is valid for installation for up to 1 year.

Hiring the Right Arkansas Licensed Septic System Installer 

The fifth step is to hire an Arkansas licensed Septic System Installer. The Installer will install the system according to the design and using proper installation techniques, such as not digging in the soil when it is too wet or using gravel to make a level bed for the septic tank. The Installer makes careful measurements throughout the installation process to ensure the system is installed correctly. Some systems may be installed in a day, some may take a week or more depending on their complexity. The health department will inspect the system’s construction. The inspector inspects the construction of the system and issues the Permit for Operation. The Installer will educate the owner about their system and instruct them on any necessary maintenance. If you need a knowledgeable and experienced licensed septic system installer in Rogers or the surrounding area, contact BBB Septic and Portable Toilets today to schedule an appointment. 

The Importance of System Maintenance 

After the system is in use, it is the owner’s responsibility to have regular maintenance performed. The type of maintenance required depends on the type of system that is installed. However, all septic tanks must be cleaned out regularly (aka pumped). How often depends on a variety of factors, but every 5 years is a good rule of thumb. It is a myth that you should only pump out your septic tank when you have a problem. By the time you have a problem, you have most likely already destroyed the system beyond repair and an expensive replacement will be required. A septic tank’s purpose is to catch solids that flow out of the building. So every time a toilet is flushed or the dishwasher finishes a cycle, all of that waste goes into the septic tank. Things that float will go to the top forming the Scum layer. Things that sink will go to the bottom forming the sludge layer. That leaves a more clear layer in the middle. This clear layer flows out of the septic tank and into the absorption field for treatment. Those captured solids don’t entirely break down and build up in the tank. So the scum layer and sludge layer get thicker and thicker over time. If the tank isn’t cleaned out every so often, then those solids can be forced out of the tank and will clog the absorption field. If this happens, then the wastewater will no longer be able to absorb into the soil and will pool on the surface of the ground. This is a health and environmental hazard that will need to be fixed quickly. Unfortunately, it may require a new permit and a new septic system installation.  Hiring an Arkansas-licensed septic tank cleaner to pump out your septic tank is similar to changing the oil in your car. It keeps everything working smoothly and is vital to protecting a major investment in your property.

While the work is inspected by the health department, they only see the finished product, not the entire process. It is very important to hire licensed, experienced, credible professionals for all of your septic system needs. BBB Septic and Portable Toilets is your one-stop shop for all things onsite wastewater.

Contact the Septic System Experts at BBB Septic and Portable Toilets 

At BBB Septic and Portable Toilets, It’s our goal to educate Arkansans on the proper septic system and wastewater design, installation, and maintenance process and the best practices to follow to protect your individual wastewater systems and the environment. 

We work hard to provide excellent customer service to our clients and identify their septic tank issues, whatever they may be, and go above and beyond to resolve them. Plain and simple. If you’re having issues with your septic system, or you need an experienced crew to design, install, or maintain your system, contact the team at BBB Septic and Portable Toilets today to schedule an appointment.