At the beginning or end of our columns, we often talk about the responsibilities of the installer. We thought now might be a good time to take a specific look at the actions or activities an installer is responsible for through the eyes of the client or homeowner.
We have often said that an installer can never have too much communication with the homeowner to explain how and, more important, why installation activities need to be performed the way they are. And further, we need to explain how homeowners — through their actions — can affect long-term system performance, either positively or negatively.
It should be obvious that the primary responsibility of an installer is to install the system according to the design plan. If the installer is also the designer, they have a responsibility to design the system according to all current state and local codes. Similarly, the system must be installed in accordance with all current requirements to obtain an operating permit upon completion.
EXPLAIN EVERYTHING
A preinstallation meeting should review the design and the plan, walking through the area of installation and showing the homeowner or builder where each component will be placed and why. It should be impressed on the homeowner that while you, the installer, are responsible for the proper installation of the system, they will need to use and maintain the system properly once they take ownership.
A note here specific to Minnesota: Our code requires that the designer/installer provide the owner with a management plan for the system, detailing activities that must be followed in terms of maintenance, use and care of a system. It is a reference resource to be used by the homeowner, much like a maintenance plan for a furnace or other appliance.
Before a backhoe touches the ground, the installer and homeowner need to agree on what the area of installation will look like when the installer is finished and the owner takes over. Specifically, who will do the final grade and establish a vegetative cover? Regardless of who is going to do the final grading and cover, it must be clear the system should not be buried deeper and any fill placed should be suitable to establish a good ground cover. The fill should also be used to smooth out any depressions or holes caused by settling around tanks or trenches.
It should be emphasized that following the final grade, any extra water should be directed away from the system. This not only includes routing downspouts away from the system, but also making sure the system area is not where snow is plowed off the driveway. Any additional water over or around the system can negatively affect long-term performance.
While walking over the system after installation, each component should be discussed. Address how it is supposed to operate and the role each component plays in protecting human health and the environment. Explain what is required to maintain each component. Discuss the service provider’s role in the maintenance plan. An example is to explain how the septic tank functions to hold back scum and solids to protect the soil treatment area and that the tank must be periodically cleaned for proper performance.
SHOW AND TELL
Specific attention should be paid to the effluent screen. There should be a high-water alarm in the tank to indicate when the screen is plugged. The homeowner should be clear about the need to pump the tank and clean the screen. We would recommend discouraging homeowners from trying to clean the screen on their own. Leave it to the professionals. Any other system alarms, such as in the pump tank, should be discussed from the perspective of what to do — call the service provider or, better yet, set up a regular maintenance schedule to hopefully catch potential issues before they become a problem.
Go through how the final soil dispersal and treatment part of the system works, including how effluent is treated in the soil before being discharged to the environment. Open and look at the inspection pipes for the various components. Explain how they can be cut to grade when finished; offer to make that part of your service.
Emphasize there should be no vehicle traffic over the system. This includes all-terrain vehicles, cars, snowmobiles, and even bicycle and foot traffic. The treatment area should not be viewed as a playground. Discuss how they can keep the area protected in the winter to avoid potential freezing problems.
Highlight during the walk-through that how they use water can determine the success or failure of the system. Make sure they understand additional water from leaky fixtures, letting the water run while brushing teeth or excessive showers can contribute to problems. Discuss with them your thoughts on ways they can prevent or avoid excessive water use. An example is recommending they avoid doing all the clothes washing for the week on a single day, but instead spreading the usage out over the week.
Make sure homeowners knows any future changes to their situation — extra family members or adding water-using devices such as a garbage disposal or water softener — should trigger an evaluation of their system to see if it will handle the additional load.
COMMUNICATION IS KEY
We could continue to highlight other items that should be discussed with the homeowner; but the point is that there needs to be a lot of communication. One of the chief homeowner complaints we hear is: “I did not know this was important. Nobody told me, and my installer merely came one day, put the system in and left.” Do not be that installer!
