Can you move a septic tank access point?

Question

I just recently bought a house in queens, ny and realized that the access point for the septic tank was located inside the basement. Is it necessary to have an access point for the septic tank? Can I move it outside to the backyard? Do I need a permit from the city? And what's the cost range for all this work?

appreciate any answers. Thanks.

Answer 1

The access point you refer to is actually the top of the septic tank. Think in terms of a small lid on a big box. Why would you want to move the access point?

Maybe you are referring to the clean-out "T" which is connected inline to the either 4"-6" waste main that runs to your septic tank.

To move the acces point or door, it would encompass a tunnel of sorts out of conrete or another type of hardened material. The idea being that you could access the septic for the express purpose of a "septic dump". Sometimes when the tank has become inoperative due to various reasons, you would call a septic tank type company to have your septic tank emptied. The symtoms for having that performed is that the tolits won't flush, or that they'll back up.

The tank works on a micro-biological level. The micro organisims in the waste actually break down other wastes. If this process is interrupted, the septic will quit functioning. It is true that if you add yeast to the system such as "Rid-X" it will help kep the micro-processes alive. Bleach, direct undiluted is the worst for the system as it nuetralizes the process.

When the septic tank is cleared or emptied, the service company will remove the door to access the tank, insert a flexible hose from hell and start the process.

If you move the access door, you would need to encompass a parameter that the hose could be feed by hand to accomodate this process. The one aspect that could not be accomplished is to move the door and still have a visual on the tank. Keep in mind that the tank is also connected to a series of leach lines. Usually these are 3-4" lines with various holes in them that distribute the waste water into the ground in what they call a "leach field". If you moved your septic tank, you would also need to move or divert the leach lines as well or install new ones. These are trenches that are about 30"-40" wide and about 4-6 feet deep, layed in 3/4" gravel and sand and run anywhere from 150 to 400 feet depending on how big the house is. The Federal Title 23 talks about it.

It starts with sand in the leach field followed by the gravel then the pipe, then the reverse of the material and then the fill dirt on top. The down-side of moving the leach lines is that most building departments or city planning offices will not allow concrete structures or concrete anything directly over such leach fields.

Anytime that you are working with the septic system, a permit from your jurisdiction is required. At the hall of records, whether it;s the city, county, parish or whatever is a map of the location of the septic tank. Just as you just bought the property, and didn't know where it was, you could inquire with them and they would tell you where it was located.

A new system would be upwards of $35,000 in your area.
Good luck, Jim

Answer 2

It's difficult but not impossible; you can do it.
You have to make one another septic tank in backyard and remove the basement's septic tank.
It's costly but this is the way you can do it.
Access point of any septic tank is on the top of the septic tank so it's not possible.

Answer 3

Typically the cost of moving the access point will require you moving or replacing the entire septic tank. This will require a city permit and a city inspection too.

Answer 4

You can add a port outside if you can get at the tank and/or lines. Are you sure there's no cleanout on the top of the tank in the yard - how do they pump / inspect it ? You will probably need a permit where you live, and a professional plumber, and it may be expensive.