How to Install Fifty Feet of Septic Sewer Line

The sewer line is the main line that carries the home's sewage to the septic tank. Most sewer lines now are made out of a lightweight PVC material. The key to installing long lengths of sewer line is to ensure that the ground drop off measurements are exact. The sewer pipe must be installed in a slow, downhill descend so that gravity can help pull the sewage from the home to the septic tank.

Things You'll Need

• Wooden stakes
• Hammer
• String
• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Notepad
• Shovel
• PVC sewer line
• Hacksaw
• PVC Cleaner
• Clean rags
• PVC glue
• PVC pipe attachments

Instructions

1. Call your local utility companies such as the phone company, electric company, gas company and water company before digging. These utility companies will come out and mark off any electric lines, cables, gas lines or water pipes.

2. Drive a wooden stake in front of the entrance port near the septic tank. Drive another wooden stake in the location where the sewer line leaves the home.

3. Tie a string to both of the wooden stakes. Measure the distance from one wooden stake to the other wooden stake. Write down the measurement on a notepad.

4. Begin digging the trench for the sewer pipe starting at the home and finishing at the other wooden stake. The ground drop off measurements should be 1/4-inch for every 10 feet of pipe. In other words, when digging the trench, ensure that the trench drops off every 10 feet.

5. Connect a PVC attachment such as an elbow, collar or a "T" to the location where the sewer pipe leaves the home. Clean one end of the sewer pipe with the PVC cleaner and a clean rag. Glue the end of the pipe and the inside of the PVC attachment. Slide the pipe into the attachment.

6. Cut the other end of the PVC pipe if needed, and clean the end of the pipe with the cleaner and a rag. Spread the PVC glue around the end of the pipe and into a collar. Slide the collar onto the end of the pipe. Continue running the pipe by adding a collar at each joint until the 50 feet of pipe is installed. Clean and glue each joint together with the PVC cleaner and glue.

7. Connect the pipe to the septic tank by sliding the pipe into the entrance of the tank. Seal the pipe to the septic tank with the rubber seal.

Tips & Warnings

• The PVC attachments such as the elbows, collars and "T"s are used to connect the PVC pipe together. Each attachment is used according to the location angle of the pipe.

• A residential sewer line does not require a permit to dig the trench. Each state is different, so check with your local courthouse or utility companies. Generally, a permit is needed whenever the digging amount exceeds 2,500 square feet.

• If the ground does not have the proper drop off levels, it could cause the sewage to back up into the home.

• Always call your local utility companies before digging. Failure to do so could result in digging through a electric line, gas line, phone line or water pipe.

References

• " The PVC Project Book: 101 Uses for PVC Pipe in the Home, Garden, Farm and Workshop;" Charles Sanders; 2005
• Inspectipedia: Guide to Installing Sewer Pipe
• PWP: Installation Guide for Installing PVC Sewer Pipe

Resources

• Plumbing Basics: Home Sewer Installation Tips
• PPFA: Specifications for Plastic Pipe and Drainage Waste
• The Natural Home: how to fix a failed septic system
• Northern Pipe: Embedment, Assembly and Cutting PVC Sewer pipe
• Call Before You Dig: Utility notification Center