Protecting line from septic tank during construction

UAFitter · Jul 6, 2016

Good evening-

We are adding on to our house this summer, and the line from our septic tank to the field is in the best traffic path between the driveway and the site. I am concerned that, in spite of instructions and precautions, the line is going to be driven over. The field and the tank are both out of the path, but there's no way to avoid the line. Has anyone dealt with this, and if so, how did you do it? I have access to a nearly infinite supply of 7-ply 3/4" plywood, which I was thinking of laminating several layers together to make a kind of poor man's crane mat, but I'm certainly open to suggestions, up to and including "Don't drive over it, period."

Thanks!

super99 · Jul 6, 2016

I have enough machinery setting around, I could make a line up blocking the access to the drain tile and field. Got any trees you can cut down? Cut down a bunch and drag them in front of the tile and field and block it off. Have a backhoe dig a trench in front of the line blocking it off so they have to go around. Chris

markct · Jul 6, 2016

How deep is it and what are they driving over it, atleast a foot deep and pickups, skid steer etc I wouldn't worry, even big trucks will be fine if dry. A couple layers of 3/4 plywood should take care of even heavy trucks just fine unless it's a swampy area

Texasmark1 · Jul 6, 2016

(quoted from post at 02:39:14 07/07/16)
I have access to a nearly infinite supply of 7-ply 3/4" plywood, which I was thinking of laminating several layers together to make a kind of poor man's crane mat, but I'm certainly open to suggestions, up to and including "Don't drive over it, period."

Thanks!

Do it. Whatever effort you put forth would surely be better than crushing your pipe. I just got through putting in a new field due to drainage problems and found out that the original had been crushed for who knows how long even though it was buried about 3' deep. I had driven over it from time to time with different vehicles including a 100 hp tractor with cab and loader, perpendicular, not parallel to it and didn't think much about it at the time. Well I should have thought about it and stayed off it.

craigco · Jul 6, 2016

If we have to protect grass or lines usually get trench plates. 1" steel plates usually six feet by twelve feet. Heavy so they don't move around and disperses the weight.

rrc300 u · Jul 6, 2016

UA fitter what schedule pipe is buried and how deep? I bet a few layers of that plywood should handle the load.

just make sure the guys that show up later with drywall cranes and rooftop shingle delivery have to drive on it and don't have another choice but to cross where you want them to. I had an entire pile of roof trusses in the wrong spot when I had 3 foot letters in marking paint on the ground saying trusses here. They were about 100 feet away lol. You have to be very specific with house building supply people. Just because it was told to who you ordered from usually means it will not make it to the driver.

I see your handle is UA fitter where ya out of I'm a little south of Erie PA in local 449

ss55 · Jul 7, 2016

Another alternative would be to build a temporary fence over the line to mark it and to protect it.

jeffcat · Jul 7, 2016

Hey good idea!! nothing like that bright orange fencing. Most construction people know to leave it alone.

Determined · Jul 7, 2016

(quoted from post at 20:39:14 07/06/16) Good evening-

We are adding on to our house this summer, and the line from our septic tank to the field is in the best traffic path between the driveway and the site. I am concerned that, in spite of instructions and precautions, the line is going to be driven over. The field and the tank are both out of the path, but there's no way to avoid the line. Has anyone dealt with this, and if so, how did you do it? I have access to a nearly infinite supply of 7-ply 3/4" plywood, which I was thinking of laminating several layers together to make a kind of poor man's crane mat, but I'm certainly open to suggestions, up to and including "Don't drive over it, period."

Thanks!

We have a bunch of dang fools around here that can not read or comprehend basic instructions, they learn quickly that an electric fence means stay out.
Results may vary but it works for cows.

Option #2 get a old length of tech cable or overhead supply wire and span it on the ground blocking the area you are trying to protect, stick the ends into the ground and add a few electrical warning signs stapled to sawhorses.
By nature people are scared of what they do not understand and tend to avoid it.

ztrmower · Jul 7, 2016

same thing here i just but several loader buckets of gravel over the line area and it will be fine, right now looks like large speed bump but that fine, will level out later when all said and done.

GeneMO · Jul 7, 2016

Steel posts with the orange construction fencing, then make a "crossing" with your plywood. I would think several layers of that plywood screwed together would make a nice load disbursement mat.

Good luck.

I am building now also, but my septic line is going down through big timber and way off the drive area so I have no problems, except how to get the line and tank in through all the tree roots and rocks.

Gene

Protecting line from septic tank during construction

UAFitter

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super99

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markct

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Texasmark1

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craigco

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rrc300 u

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ss55

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jeffcat

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Determined

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ztrmower

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GeneMO

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