If only it were that simple designing septic systems would be easy. Where the water goes is totally dependant upon the local geology. In an arid desert region such as you suggest the soil does absorb the water, however desert plants tend to have a vast root network just slightly below the surface. In fact, a 20ft high suguaro cactus has a root system that covers 20 to 30 acres. In many regions such as in the midwest they have 10" to 40" of topsoil over a thich hardpan yellow clay subsoil that is almost impervious to water. As the water leaches out of the leachbed it saturates the topsoil horizontally and slowly moves up to the surface by capilary action where it is either absorb by vegatation ground cover or is evaporated into the atmosphere. Anyone who lives in that area can tell you firsthand that the first indication of a problem with a leach line or sewer line will be a continual wetspot on the lawn which will progressively get worse until you end up with a swampy area filled with foul stinky standing water on the surface. Now in regards to Fallingwaters original post, he/she is describing a "mound system". Years ago before you could start building on a lot the performed a "Perk Test" to determine how well the soil would absorb water. If your land did not meet the minimal standard on the perk test you simply could not build on that land. But in recent years the septic system technology has changed. In regions where you have a high water table and the land will not perk they now permit two solutions. 1. An aerobic septic tank, which is a normal septic tank that has a third chamber installed with an air pump and areator nozzles in the bottom of the third chamber. With this type of system the aerobic bacteria that would normally be found in the leach lines are in the third chamber and air is supplied via the pump and areators. With this type of tank the liquid discharged from the aereator chamber is pure water and may be discharged directly onto the surface watershed or into a nearby waterway. (In some jurisdictions they are required to have a chlorinator on the discharge line.) 2. A mound system is an above grade septic tank. In some installation. In some localities they require you to construct a retaining wall around an enclosure about 30' x 70' and the septic tank is installed sitting on the ground inside the retaining wall, then the enclosure is filled with sand up to the top of the wall (about 4') and the leach field is then laid on the sand. They then continue covering the leachbed until the sand is piled high in the enclosure with about a 45deg slop on all sides, and the sand is then covered with sod to prevent erosion. In some areas the tank is partially embedded with the discharge line at grade level and the leach bed is then run on the surface and finally covered with 3' to 4' of sand and finally covered with sod. The sod has a two fold purpose, it absorbs a substantial portion of the water and dissipates it to the atmosphere, while also preventing erosion of the sand covering. In most areas where they permit mound systems they do not allow any activity on the mound that might be detrimental to the growth of the sod. That means no picnic tables, lawn chairs or childrens outdoor recreational equipment tht might increase foot traffic and cause bare footpaths in the sod.

Tape off the glass with painters tape. Tape off the wall. Take out the sashes. Stain. You might want to use a fast drying water base stain. Put the sashes back in. Next day, remove them again, then put your finish coat on. Let it dry for a few hours. Replace the sashes. Remove all the tape. Take your time, be neat, wipe the stain with a rag for even coating. Should be fine. Get another contractor, that one is an ass.

So the original plans stated cutting the legs at 38 degrees, and hubby did it. When it crossed it should have been x inches tall. NOT! The instructions were bad. Even I could see the slant was off. Then I reminded hubby he got A+ in Geometry. So he came in and re-thank the thing. Did drawings, and it should have been a 60 degree angle to get the height needed for the table top. Why don't they give proper instructions? Anyway, he figured it out and is down there under the deck trying to make it work. I do not think Picnic Table building is a walk in the park!!

Thanks for asking. No its not completed yet. Hope its not much longer. Everytime I turn around my son is asking mom you sure you don't want it built this way or that....no just an old fashioned picnic table and bench style. I did find a wonderful cream and pale green linen runner for it on sale at Target. Its from Joanna Gaines (Fixer Upper) line of home goods. I'm searching flea markets for a nice centerpiece. Maybe something to fill with apples. I got my vintage wood chair out of storage and need to decide on a color to paint it. I don't want it white like the table and benches. I could do almost any color since my walls are a creamy white wallpaper. Anyway hopefully in the next few weeks the table will be done. I can't wait.