Surrey Septic System

Surrey Septic System Soil Types

Surrey Septic Systems- There is many different types of soils to consider before a septic repair or installation.  Which soil types are suitable for an absorption-based septic system?  There are a great many types of soils that can accommodate a standard septic system.  Naturally, some are better than others.  Let’s take a few moments to discuss briefly what you should look for in terms of soil types.

THE BEST

What is the best type of soil to have have you want to install a normal septic system?  There is not necessarily one particular type of soil that is best.  However, there are several types of soil that would fall into a category of very desirable.  Gravels and gravel-sand mixtures are some of the best soils to work with.  Sandy soil is also very good.  Soil that is made up of silty gravel or a combination of gravel, sand, and silt can be considered good to work with.  Even silty sand and sand-silt combinations rate a good report card.  In all of these soil types, it is best to avoid what is known as fines.

PRETTY GOOD

Just as there are a number of good soils, there are many soil types that are pretty good to install a septic system in.  Gravel that has clay mixed with it is fairly good to deal with, and so is a gravel-sand-clay mixture. The same can be said for sand-clay mixtures.  Moving down the list of acceptable soil types, you can find inorganic silts, fine sands, and silty or clayey fine sands.

NOT SO GOOD

Inorganic clay, fat clay, and inorganic silt are not so good in terms of drainage values.  This is also true of micaceous or diatomaceous fine, sandy or silty soils.  These types of soils can be used in conjunction with absorption-based septic system, but the systems will have to be designed to make up for the poor drainage characteristics of the soils.

JUST WON’T DO

Some types of soils just won’t do with a standard septic system.  Of these types of soils, organic silts and clays are unacceptable.  So are peat and other soils that have a high organic rating.  I have read some quite sophisticated books on the subject of soils.  Believe me when I tell you that an entire book could be written on the subject of soils alone.  Operating on the assumption that you are a builder and do not wish to become a soil scientist.  I will spare you all the technical information that is available on various types of soils.  As a builder, you will have to rely on a specialist to design your septic system.