Moving Septic Tank & What to Do with Roof

17 years ago

Hello all -

It looks like our addition is going to be too close to the septic and we're trying to get estimates to have it moved -- waiting for those return phone calls! We're in Westchester, NY and was wondering if anyone's done this or has any idea of the price range. I've heard 10K, I've heard 20K...just wondering what we're getting into.

Also, the addition will require a new roof, of course. So, do we put a new roof over the addition, or put a new roof on the whole house? What are the factors I should consider (I know age of the current roof is one...)in making the decision?

Thanks!

-Sue

Featured Answer

shaiken
Original Author

17 years ago

I'm happy to report that the company I was the most impressed with gave me an estimate today of $2,800 -- to close and break the old tank and put in a new 1,250 gallon tank, including labor and materials. If they need to do any re-routing, it'll be $15/foot.

Now I need to figure out to do with all that saved money!

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Comments (7)

lazypup
17 years ago
Moving a septic tank any appreciable distance could prove to be cost prohibitive.

The finished elevation of your house main drain line is determined by the length of run and required pitch of the sewer line from the septic tank to the structure.

Extending the length of that line would result in lowering the elevation of the septic tank input, however in some jurisdictions they have a maximum allowable depth of the septic tank and leachfield lines which is determined by local geology. In a worst case scenario it may become necessary to add a "Sewage Ejection Pump" which could add an additional $2k to $5k to your project. Also, in some jurisdictions when moving a leachfield the existing soil around the present leachfield must be removed as "Hazardous Waste" and new fill brought in to fill the void and restore the grade.
jamesk
17 years ago
Sue,

With regard to your roof dilemma, here are a few questions you should ask:

What is the roof material? If it's composition shingle, do you like the colour and style? Would you rather have something else? If you like what you have, how much life is left in the existing roof? If you keep it, can your roofer match it on your addition? If so, will it be apparent which is old and which is new material. If it's apparent, will it bug you? How long to you plan to live in the house? How much old roof is there in relation to the new roof needed for the addition? What will the difference in cost be to do the entire roof vs. just the new addition?

Once you've answered those questions, it should be fairly easy to decide on a course of action.

A couple of other things to look at would be the age and condition of your flashings and gutters. If they're nearing the end of their life, an opportune time to replace them would be at the time a new roof is installed.

Hope this helps.

James
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shaiken
Original Author
17 years ago
lazypup - I was able to speak with two septic contractors today, and one of them is coming to take a look tomorrow. The first one basically said that unless the septic is new, it doesn't make sense to move it. He said it's easier and more cost effective to put in a new system, and that for a typical 3-bedroom system, the total cost is around 10K installed. That seemed low to me, based on what I've heard.

The second seemed a little more knowledgeable, offering more factors to consider and he's the one who will be coming over tomorrow -- I'll let you all know what he says.

James - Great info to consider for the roof! Thank you so much. I have a feeling we may be putting on a whole new roof, which I think may actually be more expensive than the septic!

-Sue
bus_driver
17 years ago
If space permits, abandoning the existing system and installing new will be the most cost effective.
shaiken
Original Author
17 years ago
Hey bus driver -

It looks like that's what we'll be doing. The contractor was here at 7:29 for a 7:30 appointment (I LOVE that) and will be getting back to us shortly for an estimate to put in a new system -- we may even be able to keep the fields where they are.

-Sue
hellolynn
last year
last modified: last year
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Moving Septic Tank & What to Do with Roof

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