Residential & Commercial Excavation & Septic Services

Perhaps you suspect a problem with your septic system or you have been told that your septic system is failing. If so, we hope the information provided here will help guide you through the process of correcting a potentially hazardous situation. Evaluating the problem and determining a course of action is a step-by-step process. Every situation is different so in addition to the information below, we are also available by telephone to speak with you and help you understand your particular situation.

Reasons for Concern and Action

• Visible sewage coming to the surface in the septic area. This is typically referred to as a "blowout". Sewage on the surface is hazardous to both people, pets and the environment.
• Fluids flowing back into the septic tank from the leaching area during a septic tank cleaning (can be an indication that the leaching area is not adequately handling the fluids).
• Plumbing fixtures backing up into the building
• Your septic tank is cracked

Talk Is Cheap

Asking questions and educating yourself about septic systems should not cost you a penny.

• Call your local health department and speak with a sanitarian. Visit our links page for health departments in the area.
• Contact a licensed septic installer such as Andrews-Perry Construction, Inc. We can guide you through the process.
• Read information provided by the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health. Visit our links page for more information.

The Installation/Repair Process

General Information

It is important to gain an understanding of your site conditions in order to properly address the problem. You will want to disclose as much information as possible about items such as number of bedrooms in the home (the number of bedrooms dictates the size of the septic tank), use of garbage disposals, water softener systems (CT Health Code prohibits water softener discharge from entering the septic system) and drainage issues on the property.

Deep hole / Percolation testing

These steps may be required and are used to determine soil suitability and permeability in the septic leaching area, to determine groundwater levels and to identify possible ledge conditions.

Percolation testing requires the digging of test holes 18" to 24" deep. Water is introduced into each hole and is measured as "minutes per inch" representing the time it takes for the column of water to drain. The quicker water passes through the soil, the smaller the leaching area can be. Percolation testing must be conducted and observed by your local health department sanitarian or a licensed engineer. There are fees associated with this testing, please inquire.

Deep hole testing involves digging an 8' hole to view soil layers to determine the restrictive layers, if any. It is typically necessary to hire an excavation company, such as Andrews-Perry to dig the required test holes. Deep hole testing is also conducted and observed by your local health department sanitarian or a licensed engineer. There are fees associated with this testing, please inquire.

Designing a New Septic System

In most cases, Andrews-Perry Construction can design your septic system and submit the design for approval to your local health department. There are a variety of system designs....basic stone and pipe trenches, proprietary galley type systems, pump systems etc. The design of your system is dictated by many factors including but not limited to: percolation and soil data, current technical standards, number of bedrooms and location of nearby wells to name a few.

If you are in a town served by Torrington Area Health District (TAHD) then you may be required to have a licensed engineer design your septic system. We of course will still guide you throughout the process, however TAHD may not accept septic system designs by licensed installers.

Obtaining Quotes

Once you have an approved septic design, it is time to obtain quotes for the work.

• Andrews-Perry provides free quotations for all work. Your quote will be based on the septic design as approved by the local health department. Ours is a personal approach. We want you, our customer, to be informed. We welcome your questions. We take the time to explain the process to you so you will know what to expect.

On Site

A typical septic installation takes 3 to 5 days to complete. While there may be much commotion going on in the yard, your bathroom facilities remain completely operational during most all of this time. It is only a matter of an hour or two while disconnecting the old septic tank and reconnecting the new septic tank that it would be best to avoid using the water or flushing the toilets. If you do flush during this time.....well.....we may be asking where you hose is so we can rinse off.

• Day 1 involves....more to come
• Day 2 involves....more to come
• Day 3 involves....more to come