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Innovative Septic System Installation

Bob meets with Tom Florence to install the Flo-Well Polyvinylehelene septic system. The tank is much lighter than concrete systems, costs about 20% less, and will also last much longer.

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Innovative Septic System Installation

computer-generated transcript - may not be 100% accurate

" Our septic tank have to be at least ten feet away from the house that -- building code requirement. When you have an excavator like this you dig a hole and sandy soil five minutes. That's where they are necessary about you isn't. When most builders talks septic systems we think concrete holding tank and Leach fields and this yellow submarine is about to announce what's it made out of it's man of high density polyethylene. I weighs about 250 pounds and -- replaces a tank it would run 7510000."

" Yes so the big advantage is that obviously you can bring it on site in a pick up trying to pick up Kirkpatrick is it a lot less money. It's about 20% less than total system in -- about 20% last. And and last for about 300 years and as opposed to concrete wall and bring it down it's just not going to bring this talk about the nature of septic systems and and how it work cure be happy to. In the days of your they started out with basically a concrete blocks hold a row of holes and it. That would create a successful a cesspool that's right it was in the creative flow that would endanger the water table and they recognize assume that they. Had to treat the water before it went into the cesspool so they. Resign -- face what we call septic tank what you're seeing here which would be an implant would be attack like that along leaching field that's right prior to -- the race getting out into the ground. If that that we saw that the bottom. And in in. Like. Materials without the level from leaching and bacteria breaks it -- that's right that's exactly right. And I think they did realizing that was a high impact. Process. During a landscape removing trees and so -- right -- design thousand -- pit. Which essentially has the same treatment processes that there's -- is the blood leaching field. And give him the benefit of the low impact system is set right in the ground course -- heavy equipment cranes."

" And this system is essentially that but made out of I density polyethylene answer and we'll have to such Leach fields with this one right that's exactly right -- Let's -- about three and fifty pounds. Can be installed by hand pretty much. Want to -- There we go up. How much tonight. Well blood got on the truck let's just put in all of the player than me."

" Pretty easy installation."

" Not much to it now let's talk about the leaching field. Although this is the kind of septic system that a do it yourselfer can actually install here's one thing to keep in mind before you backfill. Fill the -- up with -- so that it doesn't cave in. All right so the PVC pipe here will connect into the waste system from the house this is the septic -- we got -- filled with water. And leaded. And then of course the or flow comes out this pipe. To get -- what's this this is distribution box which would allow is influence he traveled to. They change like that or double system from Japan on we will have a double system right yes after we finish here we have big over on this side put in the second that's correct. And then over here we've pitched the pipe down to. What are basically each pit or forward yes slow -- OK and we need to eliminate side of that strength. All right and then this area doesn't get back to -- gets filled with crushed stone that's right in the little pea stone on confidence that. How do you get these black cylinders."

" Well basically they come and -- flight testing can be carried out by a consumer -- forward out of there. And what I them together just slide them together throughout. Let's go together like. -- that we've been removed. And so we're prepared to handle the area. And we know it -- requires no tools required that I didn't play kitchen and into forms of Merrill -- excellent. -- need to decide to want and it steps right on dark right. Yes they and a picture in the second ones -- got. Done video."

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Installing the Leach Field and Chambers for the Infiltrator Septic System

Bob is joined by Carl Thompson of Infiltrator Systems as the new leach field and Infiltrator chambers are laid out. The main drain from the house, the concrete septic tank, and the distribution box are standard, but the Infiltrator system allows for a more efficient leach or drain field beyond the tank. Thompson explains how a leach field takes the partially treated water from the tank and puts it through another treatment process where microrganisms break down the effluent further. The wastewater is then filtered through the soil, where final treatment occurs. In traditional leach fields, gravel is placed in the trench. This means that there is less room for the microorganisms to treat the effluent, because the water cannot pass through the stones. With the Infiltrator, the same partially treated water passes into snap-together chambers constructed of high-density polyethylene and polypropylene. The chambers have a completely open bottom and has louvers on the sides so there is more contact between the soil and the effluent. There is no stone, less digging, and up to 60 percent better performance with the Infiltrator chamber system. Thompson tells us that Infiltrator drain fields can be 40 percent smaller than traditional leach fields, which represents a significant savings in time and labor. Accepted by health boards throughout the US and Canada, according to Thompson, one in four new septic systems are Infiltrator Chamber Systems.

Using Your Plants to Keep Your House Cool

Here s another great tip from BobVila.com. What you grow in your yard can actually keep your air conditioning costs from growing out of control this summer. Most people know that planting a tree to shade your house is a great way to keep it cool. But contrary to what you d assume, the south-facing fa ade is not the best place for a tree. In winter, the south fa ade is the one that gathers the most heat, but that s not true in the summer. To prevent the most summer heat gain, plant trees to the east or west of the house to block low early and late-day sun. Deciduous trees work best in colder climates since they obligingly lose their leaves at the start of the heating season. Be sure not to plant trees where their roots could damage septic systems, water lines or your foundation. Plants have a kind of built-in air conditioning system called evapo-transpiration. Foundation and yard plantings can really lower your home s temperature if you keep shrubs a few feet away to allow air to circulate. And don t plant a row of them where they block the flow of air from cooler areas like valleys, ponds or woods. Vines on a trellis set a few feet from the house or on a pergola over the patio will also create shade and cool the air naturally. Vines grow faster than trees and are great for color and privacy as well. Replacing paved or bare areas in your yard with low ground covers can turn down the heat by 10 degrees. But before you plant groundcovers, shrubs or trees, find out which ones do best in your area. Hardy natives are more likely to thrive with less water and fertilizer. Work with nature rather than against it and stay cooler this summer! Find out more at BobVila.com: the ultimate home improvement web site! 2008 BobVila.com

Landscaping in the Falmouth Affordable Housing Development

Bob joins John Druley at another of the Quaker Homes that is nearly completed and ready for landscaping. This home is virtually the same as the first-time homebuyer model that Bob visited under construction. Landscaping will be standard for all of the homes with gardens out front, a picket fence and rose bushes, a clamshell driveway, and cobblestone edging. Initially, the septic systems were problematic for Druley since the burden of eight homes with lawns on the groundwater system and adjacent salt ponds presented concerns for the enviromental review board. According to Title 5, denitrification systems costing about $7,000 apiece would be required for each of the homes. Druley proposed reducing the size of the lawns, using low-nitrate fertilizers, and passing the savings on to the two affordable homes in the development. This further reduced the selling price of the homes from $145,000 to $119,900.

Plymouth House Grand Tour

The house is finally finished, and Bob takes us on the grand tour. First we tour the exterior; and see the finished landscape, the paint, the gutters, and the trellis. We also look at the finished basement.