150ft commode to septic run?

[rlphoto]

Hello all, I have a commode in a new building 150ft from a septic. I have maybe 2 ft drop over this distance. How can I make it work?

Thanks!

Randy

[freddy]

You would need to pump it. :)

[ToUtahNow]

Hello all, I have a commode in a new building 150ft from a septic. I have maybe 2 ft drop over this distance. How can I make it work?

Thanks!

Randy

We need more information before we can answer your question. Is you 2-feet of fall a ground surface measurement or is it from the invert of your waste line to the invert of the inlet to the septic? If it is the later use 4" pipe graded at one percent with approval of your Jurisdiction.

Mark

[PLUMBER RICK]

Hello all, I have a commode in a new building 150ft from a septic. I have maybe 2 ft drop over this distance. How can I make it work?

Thanks!

Randy

randy, the normal industry standard is 1/4'' per foot fall, (2% grade).

this is equal to 2.5'' every 10'. or 25'' per 100'. at 150' you would need 37.5'' of fall to be legal.

as mark said 1% or 1/8'' per foot is also allowed with the approval of the inspector, on 4'' pipe. problem is it's almost impossible to do as a home owner especially on plastic pipe. a transit or laser is usually required to install.


the real issue is not the grade or fall. it's the distance you are planning to install a toilet away from it's final disposal site.

i would think you would have a sink there too:confused:

i can tell you from real life experience and real job calls, that a 150' on a low flow toilet 1.6gpf, without other fixtures, such as shower, laundry, will not work. 1.6 gallons will not carry the waste all the way to the septic. it doesn't matter if it's 1/4'' or 1/8''. the waste will settle and start to stack up. every flush will just add to the waste build up. now if you have other fixtures, not just a bathroom sink, then the other clean water flow will help wash carry the waste to its final resting place:D

for all of you that don't do service and drain cleaning, this is a good lesson.

i have 2 newer big condo buildings i work on in beverly hills. the powder room toilets are separated from the rest of the main by anywhere from 45' to 80'. all that is on it is 4- 1.6gpf toilets and 4 bathroom sinks. 1 on each floor of a 4 story building. 1 building is a 45' run and the other is 80'. all the new piping is exposed in a sub-terrainian garage. all the piping is no hub pipe that is new. all the piping is properly graded at 1/4'' and i even camered the line to look for any construction debris. even hydro jetted the lines to clean the stoppage.

the problem is that since the toilets are used by women and men. the paper that is used by women on every flush, just builds up even on a non waste flush. of course waste will just add to the problem even faster.

the solution was to have them run the sink while using the toilet to keep the line moving. not exactly a water saver, but a plumber saver:D

if anyone knows where you can find 4 bone colored matching 1 pc. 3.5gpf toilets, i'm sure the building will be interested to purchase them.

there is no other fixtures to divert into the line as these powder room are too far from the rest of the waste system.

so that is my first hand knowledge.

granted pvc or abs piping is slicker, but you can't fool plain old physics and gravity.

rick.

[rlphoto]

I just had a 30x70 Morton pole building built with a slab floor for my small business, and am thinking an outdoor sewage pump for my commode. The septic is 150ft away. I was wondering if I need to go with a bit more expensive grinder pump, or just the standard sewer pump that they say will pass 2 inch round solids, will be enough. There will be some women and children using the bathroom, and although I will post a sign about not flushing feminine products, and kids not throwing stuff in the toilet, people don't always read.

As far as installing a new septic that is pretty much out. Same issues here with the sand mound stuff. I am lucky as there is 2 on my property already. To bad the closest one is 150ft.

I never thought of the 2" line clogging. Maybe I should get a grinder pump to slurry the waste, and stay away from water saver commodes. I could also go to 3 or 4 inch pipe?

On another note I will have (some) slope from the commode to the septic. With a hand held site level I estimate 2 ft maybe.I haven't calculated exactly much yet, I am getting a builders level when I rent the ditchwitch Tuesday.

Say I have the 1/8-3/16 ft slope, Can I expect it to run 150ft?

This commode might be used 5 times a day max.

I am astounded by the response to my original question. Thank you all so much.

I will be out the rest of the day riding my motocycle but will return to the forum tonight.

Randy

[PLUMBER RICK]

a grinder pump will allow you to discharge through smaller pipe.

a normal 2'' sewage ejector (zoller m267) will work just fine. this will pump up to a total head of 23' + or -:confused:

not sure if you want to invest in a grinder pump$$, probably good for a yatch, but the zoller m267 is pretty much an industry standard.

now we know the rest of the story;)

rick.

make sure you install a good check valve on the pump discharge line and a ball valve so you can service the pump and check valve. also the 3/16'' hole on the discharge line is very important. follow the instructions carefully. 2'' abs or pvc is fine. that's the purpose of a pump. the line will not plug.

originally the question was geared towards a gravity system.

[DuckButter]

now we know the rest of the story;)

rick.

make sure you install a good check valve on the pump discharge line and a ball valve so you can service the pump and check valve. also the 3/16'' hole on the discharge line is very important. follow the instructions carefully. 2'' abs or pvc is fine. that's the purpose of a pump. the line will not plug.

originally the question was geared towards a gravity system.


Good call Mr "Harvey"

[BHD]

Here is a Idea,
You could put in a small pre-septic/holding tank, just out side of the building, (a single chamber unit), actually more of a solids catcher, and then run the effluent into the other septic system 150' way, that way nearly 100% of the solids would be removed before the line, thus eliminating the soils problem and by using the the other septic system you would not need additional chambers that would normally be required for a septic system, or another drain field.

http://ohioline.osu.edu/aex-fact/0740.html
by the above information sheet if a dwelling is occupied by one person a 500 gallon tank would only need to be pumped every 5.8 years, (you would have to determine the size as to the employees or people working in the building but since it is not a residence or occupied continuously, I would guess your max times between pumping would or could be longer than the chart on the url, (as it is not the septic tank, I would not think you would have to meet any minimal size as only to the time between pumpings),

my guess is your on a schedule on pumping your regular tanks and I would size the holding tank to that frequency of pumping schedules,

(even if you chose to use a pump, a secondary (clear water) chamber would nearly assure a trouble free operation, not having to pump solids and trash),

regardless put a couple of two way clean outs in the line to the main septic tank,

[rlphoto]

You guys are a major help! Nothing like having the advice of 3 professional plumbers on a Sunday afternoon! Anyway reading your posts it sounds like it is just too long a run to just stick a pump in the ground and forget about it. The holding tank sounds pretty much like a necessity. That would be the best I think. The problem is I could sneak a pump by the local officials, but not a 500 gallon tank. The other thing is the septic drain field has been covered by a few feet of fill, and not used for 25 years, and I am not sure of its ability to discharge much water. I thought once I got it hooked up and running I could upgrade it later once it is in use again. At this time they would want to condemn it since it is out of use.

I am starting to think about a composting unit. That is what my wife wants to do. She is not squeamish about to much of anything, and would take care of it. Any tips here?