The surface around my in-ground swimming pool was always slippery when it was wet. I decided last year after watching my three year old son slip and fall for the last time that I was going to have a contractor come out and resurface the area around the pool. I have spent the last several months looking into the different concrete finishing techniques that will not only provide a safe, non-slip surface, but that would also look really nice around the pool. To find out what options you have to create a non-slip beautiful surface around your pool, visit my site.
If you live in a rural area or a property that isn't close to city water maintenance, you may have an underground septic tank on your property. If you do, you need to be very careful when performing any construction or maintenance near it, as the soil quality may not be safe without professional preparation.
Before digging away at the ground or pouring concrete, consider a few issues and workaround ideas that can keep your driveway plans safe:
Septic Tank Placement In Inconvenient Areas
Some septic tanks were installed when the world was very different. There may not have been as many cars in the area when your tank was installed, or you could be living on divided piece of land that shared the water and waste management equipment. Some people may discover that the perfect place for a driveway, basketball court or other project is directly over the septic tank.
The main issue with building over septic tanks is the quality of the soil. Due to the waste and water movement in the septic tanks, there tends to be more moisture in the soil, which makes the area quite soft. There may also be a leak in the septic tank that hasn't been detected yet, which can make the ground just spongy enough to be dangerous for cars, but barely noticeable on foot.
Building on such wet surfaces can lead to an eventual collapse. Driveway concrete may sink below ground level over time and eventually collapse on top of the tank, creating a bio-hazard that needs to be reported to your local Department of Natural Resources.
If you're unable to find the department, a local water utility is a good place to start. A leaking septic tank can poison local water supplies for wildlife and humans, and may result in a large fine if the leak is able to spread for long periods of time.
Work Around The Sinking Area
You can risk building over the septic tank if a septic pumping company deems it safe, but keep in mind that the septic tank needs to be pumped periodically. You'll need to have a drainage pipe system that goes outside of the driveway area to make access easier.
Unfortunately, septic tanks do not last forever and may need replacement. It may be a good idea to have the septic tank pumped, then removed before attempting to build the driveway. While you're at it, you may consider upgrading the tank and having it installed a bit deeper to make future building easier.
If you need help with area inspection or would like to know the best practices for building a driveway near septic tanks, contact a concrete pumping truck and a team of driveway construction professionals. To learn more, contact a company like Masterlink Concrete Pumping with any questions you have.
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