North Carolina Peat Replacements Done Right
Prices vary based on system type, size and location.
The sooner you start planning your peat replacement the better. The peat replacement will require 2 to 5 days to complete.
Outlined below are the main steps in the peat replacement process.
The sooner you start planning your peat replacement the better. The peat replacement will require 2 to 5 days to complete.
Outlined below are the main steps in the peat replacement process.
1) Schedule the jobPeat replacements are typically best performed during the off season when the home is unoccupied. The replacement can be performed while the home is occupied, but additional provisions will need to be made. Several vendors are involved with the replacement and their efforts will need to be orchestrated in advance. Don't wait until the last minute to perform the peat replacement. Make sure your replacement contract has clearly defined expectations concerning when the job will be started and finished.
2) Site PrepBefore the work can begin, any objects impeding access to the peat pods will need to be removed. This includes temporarily taking down fences, trimming or removing bushes, and removing brush, sand, and other debris. Your contractor should visit your home ahead of time to determine what work will need to be done in advance to prepare for a trouble free replacement.
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3) Peat Removal and Disposal
The first day of the peat replacement process is very labor intensive. First, the distribution pipes within each peat pod must be removed. Then the peat/mud/gravel is shoveled out of the pods into buckets and loaded by wheel barrow onto a licensed septage hauling truck and trailer for disposal at a licensed land application facility. Ask your contractor what septage hauler will be removing and disposing of the peat. The local health department requires proof that it was disposed of properly.
4) Peat Media and Gravel InstallationThe peat and gravel suppliers will deliver the materials to the home on the second day of the project after the peat media has been removed. The location of the pods will impact the ease with which the new material is installed and how long it takes.. Once filled with the appropriate amounts of gravel and peat, the distribution pipes are ready to be reinstalled. Depending on the type of system, the peat will either arrive in 5 to 9 huge bags (500 to 1000lbs if wet) or on pallets consisting of 30 to 60 smaller bags. Make sure your contractor is using the correct kind of peat moss for your system. The peat moss MUST be ordered from the original manufacturer of the system or it is not considered a proper peat replacement.
5) Clean Up, Final Inspection, and ReportOnce the distribution pipes are reinstalled on top of the fresh peat moss, It is time to clean up and inspect the system to ensure its proper function. The final inspection should check the proper functioning of all components of the system including any pumps, float switches, control panels, and septic tanks.
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Reserve your spot, schedule your replacement today
If you have received a notice of violation from your local health department, you need to take action to replace the peat as soon as possible. If the peat is not replaced, the local health department can ultimately have the house deemed uninhabitable due to a failing septic system.
FAQs
Why do I need to replace the peat media in my peat based septic system?
Over time the peat moss that treats the waste water before entering the ground breaks down into mud and does not treat the waste water properly any more. At this point, the peat pods can begin overflowing as they become water logged.
Why do I have a peat system instead of a "regular" septic?
The short answer is that peat systems allowed for a larger home to be built on the lot. Peat systems take up less space than most conventional septic systems. In some cases, peat systems were installed due to speed of installation and lucrative engineering fees and the system may be able to be converted to a low-pressure pipe system.
When will you need to replace the peat media?
This answer will vary, but in our experience every 8 to 12 years depending on many variables.
How will I know I need to replace the peat in my septic system?
The subsurface operator who conducts inspections and takes samples of the peat system should notify you in advance. The local environmental health department will mail you a notice stating that they will require the peat media to be replaced by a certain date in the future.
What happens if I don't do it or pass my deadline?
If you miss your deadline but are making efforts to get the work completed, the local health department will most likely work with you and cut you some slack. If you flat out refuse to do it they will threaten to take legal action against your property to have the occupancy certification revoked and water turned off until the work is complete.
Can the home be occupied while the work is done?
Yes, but ideally it isn't. The septic tank serving the home can be pumped as needed to allow for the peat replacement to be completed while the home is occupied. Depending on the location of the septic tanks, peat pods, and driveway configuration, the peat replacement may or may not cause significant disruption residents and guests staying in the house.
Do I have to sample my peat system every summer?
Yes, North Carolina State law says you do to ensure that the system is compliant with the issued operations permit.
Why do I need to replace the peat media in my peat based septic system?
Over time the peat moss that treats the waste water before entering the ground breaks down into mud and does not treat the waste water properly any more. At this point, the peat pods can begin overflowing as they become water logged.
Why do I have a peat system instead of a "regular" septic?
The short answer is that peat systems allowed for a larger home to be built on the lot. Peat systems take up less space than most conventional septic systems. In some cases, peat systems were installed due to speed of installation and lucrative engineering fees and the system may be able to be converted to a low-pressure pipe system.
When will you need to replace the peat media?
This answer will vary, but in our experience every 8 to 12 years depending on many variables.
How will I know I need to replace the peat in my septic system?
The subsurface operator who conducts inspections and takes samples of the peat system should notify you in advance. The local environmental health department will mail you a notice stating that they will require the peat media to be replaced by a certain date in the future.
What happens if I don't do it or pass my deadline?
If you miss your deadline but are making efforts to get the work completed, the local health department will most likely work with you and cut you some slack. If you flat out refuse to do it they will threaten to take legal action against your property to have the occupancy certification revoked and water turned off until the work is complete.
Can the home be occupied while the work is done?
Yes, but ideally it isn't. The septic tank serving the home can be pumped as needed to allow for the peat replacement to be completed while the home is occupied. Depending on the location of the septic tanks, peat pods, and driveway configuration, the peat replacement may or may not cause significant disruption residents and guests staying in the house.
Do I have to sample my peat system every summer?
Yes, North Carolina State law says you do to ensure that the system is compliant with the issued operations permit.
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