Septic
Installations
Bobby Davis Jr. Septic Tank Service provides septic installations for residential and commercial properties in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and the surrounding RDU Area.
Celebrating 30 Years of Service; Est. 1996
Install a System Built for Your Property
Bobby Davis Jr. Septic Tank Service installs septic systems for residential and commercial properties throughout Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and the surrounding RDU Area. Whether you are building a new home, replacing a failing system, or developing a commercial site without access to municipal sewer, a properly installed septic system treats wastewater on site and protects groundwater by filtering effluent through soil. Installation involves designing a system that fits your property’s soil type, water table, and daily usage, then constructing it to meet state and county requirements.
The installation process begins with a site evaluation and percolation test to determine how quickly the soil absorbs water. Based on those results, the technician designs a system with the right tank size, drain field layout, and distribution method. Excavation follows, with the tank set in place, inlet and outlet pipes connected, and the drain field trenches filled with gravel and perforated pipe. The system is then covered, inspected by the local health department, and approved for use once it passes all requirements.
If you need a new septic system installed or are replacing an old one, contact Bobby Davis Jr. Septic Tank Service to start the permitting and design process in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and the surrounding RDU Area.
What Goes Into a Complete Installation
Once the site is evaluated and the design is approved, excavation begins to prepare the ground for the tank and drain field. Heavy equipment is used to dig the hole for the tank, trench the lines from the building to the tank, and create the drain field trenches where effluent will be distributed. The tank is lowered into place, leveled, and connected to the inlet pipe from the home or business and the outlet pipe leading to the drain field. Baffles are installed inside the tank to control flow and prevent solids from leaving the tank.
After installation, your property will have a fully functional wastewater treatment system that operates without connection to city sewer. Toilets, sinks, showers, and appliances will drain normally, and the system will separate solids in the tank while sending liquid effluent to the drain field for absorption into the soil. You should not see or smell the system during normal operation, and routine pumping every few years keeps it working.
The system must be inspected and approved by the local health department before it can be used. The installer coordinates this inspection and installs to code, including setback distances from wells, property lines, and water bodies. Installation timelines vary depending on weather, soil conditions, and permit processing.
Questions About Installing a Septic System
Property owners often want to understand what is involved in the installation process, how long it takes, and what determines the type of system that will work best for their site.
What determines the size of the septic tank?
Tank size is based on the number of bedrooms in a home or the estimated daily wastewater flow for a commercial property. Local codes set minimum sizes, and the installer selects a tank that meets those requirements and accommodates your usage.
How long does a septic installation take?
The time depends on weather, soil conditions, and permit approval. Commercial systems and sites with challenging terrain take longer. We can give you a schedule once we have seen the site.
What is a percolation test and why is it required?
A percolation test measures how quickly water drains through the soil, which determines whether the site can support a septic system and what type of drain field design is needed. The test is required by the health department before a permit is issued.
Can a septic system be installed on a small lot?
Installation is possible on smaller lots if the soil passes the percolation test and setback requirements from wells, property lines, and structures are met. In some cases, alternative systems like mound or drip distribution may be needed to fit the space.
What happens if the soil does not pass the percolation test?
If the soil drains too slowly or the water table is too high, you may need an engineered system such as a mound system, sand filter, or aerobic treatment unit. These systems are designed to work in challenging soil conditions and are approved by the health department on a case-by-case basis.