Table of Contents
How high is a sand mound septic system?
Once a mound septic system is installed, you will be left with a mound of dirt that is easily seen by anyone looking at the area where it is placed. The mound can be as high as five feet.
Does a sand mound have a holding tank?
Unlike conventional systems the mound system will require two separate tanks. The first will be a standard septic tank buried at a depth of 10 to 16 inches and located a minimum of 10 feet from the foundation of the house. Both tanks need to be level and square.
How sand mound septic systems work?
The mound is a drainfield that is raised above the natural soil surface in a specific sand fill material. The effluent leaves the pipes under low pressure through small diameter holes, and trickles downward through the gravel and into the sand.
Should you mow a sand mound?
To prevent compaction, do not allow any vehicles or heavy equipment on the mound. When mowing the lawn, use a hand mower, rather than a riding mower. This will also help protect the mound from losing soil to erosion. The slope of the mound makes it more susceptible to erosion than a conventional drain field.
Does a sand mound need to be pumped?
Yes, both mound systems and in-ground systems must have the solids pumped out of the septic tank portion of the system on a regular basis. The state requires that all systems be pumped every three years if the tank has accumulated solids to a depth of one-third the tank depth.
Do mound septic systems smell?
The soil treatment area, or leach field, consists of an in-ground drain bed, field, or mound, and there should not be a strong septic odor unless there’s a problem.
Why is my sand mound leaking?
A common cause for seeping mounds is poor-quality materials including: Sand with too many fines: There should not be over 5 percent silts and clays (side/top) Sand with too much fine sand: This is a problem when fines total more than 5 percent (side/top)Jun 15, 2017.
How do you hide a mound septic system?
3 Ways To Hide Your Mound Septic Systems With Landscaping Design Herb Gardens On And Around Your Septic Mound. Herb gardens can be planted on mounds to hide them. Retaining Walls To Build Up The Location Of Your Mound. Create A Rock Garden To Hide The Mound Of Your Septic System.
What can you plant in a septic mound?
Native grasses and wildflowers are the most-recommended options for disguising a septic mound. Plants that are shallow-rooted and thrive in dry conditions are best because they won’t grow deep into the mound to seek out water. These plants also tend to be low maintenance, keeping foot traffic to a minimum on the mound.
How much does a sand mound cost in PA?
Mound Septic System Cost A mound septic system costs $10,000 to $20,000 to install. It’s the most expensive system to install but often necessary in areas with high water tables, shallow soil depth, or shallow bedrock.
How is a mound system built?
The mound is a drainfield that is raised above the natural soil surface in a specific sand fill material. The effluent leaves the pipes under low pressure through small diameter holes, and trickles downward through the gravel and into the sand.
What is the difference between a mound system and a septic system?
Mound systems are an alternative to the traditional rural septic system drain field. They are used in areas where septic systems are prone to failure from extremely permeable or impermeable soils, soil with the shallow cover over porous bedrock, and terrain that features a high water table.
Can you have a septic tank without a leach field?
The waste from most septic tanks flows to a soakaway system or a drainage field. If your septic tank doesn’t have a drainage field or soakaway system, the waste water will instead flow through a sealed pipe and empty straight into a ditch or a local water course.
Can you use a riding mower on septic mound?
No. Ride-on mowers and other garden care equipment will not harm your leach field. You should, however, stay away from it with cars, pick-up trucks, and rubber tired heavy equipment like backhoe loaders.
What is a turkey mound?
A sand mound, or turkey mound, is one of the common alternatives to septic drain fields in the Pike County, PA region. The turkey mound, an elevated sand mound, is a better choice for individuals who cannot risk a traditional drain or leach field due to either higher water tables in the region.
What is a mound system alternative?
Mound systems Mound septic systems are a very common type of alternative septic system used when the soil conditions do not allow for a conventional septic system. They allow many people to use a septic system, when they otherwise could not have.
What is a Wisconsin mound?
A Wisconsin Mound System is a soil based onsite wastewater treatment and disposal system. It is a sand filter with the final discharge to the surface of the natural soil from the base of the mound. A select sand placed directly on a prepared soil surface supports an infiltration area.
What kind of sand do you use for septic?
Septic sand is used as an effective filtration system in modern septic systems and sewage mounds. It is produced from some of the highest quality sand & gravel, which is washed and finely screened.
How tall is a sand mound?
A common mound size is 34 feet by 93 feet, but shapes vary significantly with design because of the large size of the mound. Septic systems are sized according to the amount of waste they will be treating, usually estimated by the number of bedrooms in the home.
What force moves wastewater through the mound system?
Electrical pumps force wastewater into the mound. Once in the sand mound, the wastewater filters down, leaving impurities behind.
