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Small Cabin Forum / Off-Grid Living / Is steep septic line a myth?
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Heus
Member
# Posted: 29 Jun 2014 10:11am
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I have been told that a septic line cannot be too steep because the fluids will pass up the solids in the line and cause the solids to plug the line. After searching the Internet, I see that many say this is a myth. Has anyone ever put in a line from house to septic tank on a steep angle? I have a septic system about 300 feet downhill from my cabin on a gradual slope. The drop is 30-40 feet I estimate. I'm tempted to put in a line going with the existing slope of the land to test this theory. I realize the proper way would be to create a series of step downs. Any thoughts on this?

Nirky
Member
# Posted: 29 Jun 2014 01:27pm
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No myth. You want 1/8" drop per foot, every 8 ft = 1 inch drop. What I did is tape a 1" cube of foam insulation onto my 8 ft level. You can also use a 8ft 2x4 and tape or nail something 1" and then set any level on. I learned this from the septic service guy.

For your steep drop, you're going to need one or more vertical drops mixed in with the gradual 1/8" per foot slope.

Heus
Member
# Posted: 29 Jun 2014 02:03pm
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My other thought was to simply build an outhouse close to the septic tank with running water.

old243
Member
# Posted: 30 Jun 2014 09:53pm
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could you not put your septic tank just outside your cabin. Not sure if the tile runs could then be steep. I would think that the tile runs would just have liquids. Someone that knows for sure could chime in. old243

Just
Member
# Posted: 30 Jun 2014 10:15pm
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if you install a sewage pump after the septic tank you can pump it any were up or down hill but your weeping bed must only have the 1\8 in. fall

Atlincabin
Member
# Posted: 1 Jul 2014 12:14am - Edited by: Atlincabin
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I've been reading on waste lines and the most consistent information I come up with is that they should have a minimum drop of 1/4 inch per foot up to 3 inches per foot (that is not a typo). That is for a 3" diameter line. Larger pipes can tolerate a smaller drop per foot. YMMV

Greg

Bzzzzzt
Member
# Posted: 1 Jul 2014 05:00pm
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If you install a saniflo masceration pump you can drop however much you want.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0019S4JRW?pc_redir=1404022671&robot_redir=1

Nirky
Member
# Posted: 1 Jul 2014 06:25pm - Edited by: Nirky
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The International Plumbing Code (2012) says

SIZE ---------------MINIMUM SLOPE
(inches)------------(inch per foot)
21/2 or less-------------1/4
3 to 6---------------------1/8
8 or larger--------------1/16

http://publicecodes.cyberregs.com/icod/ipc/2012/icod_ipc_2012_7_sec004.htm

Code doesn't specify what slope is optimum,, just that the min is 1/8". My septic guy says that for my 4" pipe, 1/8" slope is optimum, solids pretty much keep up with liquids. Works well 8 months in, no backups or cleanouts.

bldginsp
Member
# Posted: 2 Jul 2014 08:10am
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I agree with old243 that its best to have your septic tank as close to the house, or toilets, as possible, so that solids have less distance to travel to the tank, reducing possibility of blockage. The effluent from the tank is all liquid and can travel any distance any angle to get to the drainfield.

I don't know if the 'steeper angle causes clogs' idea is a myth or not, but I think it's a matter of probability- steeper would be more likely to cause a clog. With the low water use toilets they require here in Calif. it's probably more of an issue than before.

One way or the other, 300 ft from toilet to septic tank is a long way and probably more prone to clogging. In general, health depts. will allow you to have as many septic tanks as you choose all draining to the same septic drainfield, the main issue from their point of view is having a properly sized drainfield for the number of users.

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