Septic Redesign

This weekend was short in terms of progress at the property.  I got a late start because three of us are sick and slept in until after 9am ... amazing but it felt good.  There was some miscommunication about the time I was supposed to meet a guy that will be redesigning our septic system so instead of starting at 10am, it was more like 1130.

The current septic design that was approved by the health department about 5 years ago (when the original developer planned for the home sites) has expired.  It was also designed for a pressure system and we want to go with a gravity system that is cheaper.

Finally we connected and he (Mike) walked around and 'surveyed' the property and I showed him where I want to put the primary/secondary drain field.  He said it was fine and I will now dig the four perc holes around that area for the county to inspect.  I think I mentioned in an earlier post that I have to have a site plan that is drawn up by an engineer (his stamp) because we have more than 5000 sq ft impervious surface (long gravel driveway, roof, sidewalks) and an engineered drainage plan.  Mike is also doing both of these.  I can draw up the exactly same site/drainage plan but they will tear it apart or not approve ... but if he puts his stamp on it then they just approve on the spot.  Crazy, just more money that I have to spend that I think is unessecary.  It is what it is so I just move on to bigger things.

After lunch, the family showed up to help out for a couple hours.

The wife (C) pulling branches from the recent limbed trees.  S supervising.

 It was great to have them out there to help out even though S was still feeling sick.  They stayed out for about 2-3 hours clearing out all the remaining branches that I have been cutting down to open up the area.

B is pulling a big load up the hill

Even S did a great job ... when she worked :-)

After all the branches were picked up, about ten Dingo loads, they were getting ready to leave.  S was getting cold so B gave up his jacket for his little sis, that was pretty cool

 

The brush pile is HUGE now and I will be bringing a chipper within the next two weeks to turn it into useful material.  I can only imagine how many yards we will get out of this..

No work was done on Sunday but John and I went on a 3 hour trip in the afternoon to pick up an auger and ripper for the Dingo.  I can't wait to use the ripper to start pulling out all the underbrush that has covered up the forest floor.  With all the rocks, the auger will make short work of all holes for posts and landscaping.