Thread: Can I cut these down??

Hello everyone, we have recently moved into a new home in MN that was built in 2006 with a private septic system, we are not new to septic systems as all of our houses have had them, however on this property there are 15 (4"-presumably vent pipes) spread down the lateral leach field lines.. The last few houses we have owned have not had pipes like these across the leach field, as far as we saw, they may have been cut down already and had been a little shallow. I am wondering if I can cut these down to ground level and put the caps back on as it is taking up almost a 1/4 acre of my yard. I have a picture attached to look at, please note that the septic tank is behind where I am standing taking the picture, about 10-20 yards, and has the normal 2 large manhole covers, the smaller 8-12"? cover, and the 2 clean out pipes. Thanks for helping!! Josh P.s. I have no idea why this pic loaded upside down, I can't get it adjusted, you get the idea.photo.jpg

Check with your local Environmental Health Services, or the agency in charge of your septic permits. Find out what their requirements are for the inspection risers. They are usually at the end of your leach lines and required for inspections. Around here they require them to be 4" above grade.

[QUOTE=Josh H;240922]Hello everyone, we have recently moved into a new home in MN that was built in 2006 with a private septic system, we are not new to septic systems as all of our houses have had them, however on this property there are 15 (4"-presumably vent pipes) spread down the lateral leach field lines.. The last few houses we have owned have not had pipes like these across the leach field, as far as we saw, they may have been cut down already and had been a little shallow. I am wondering if I can cut these down to ground level and put the caps back on as it is taking up almost a 1/4 acre of my yard. I have a picture attached to look at, please note that the septic tank is behind where I am standing taking the picture, about 10-20 yards, and has the normal 2 large manhole covers, the smaller 8-12"? cover, and the 2 clean out pipes. Thanks for helping!! Josh P.s. I have no idea why this pic loaded upside down, I can't get it adjusted, you get the idea.photo.jpg[
Where did you move, Antarctica? Looks like your on the bottom of the planet.

[QUOTE=David Christensen;240987]

Originally Posted by Josh H

Hello everyone, we have recently moved into a new home in MN that was built in 2006 with a private septic system, we are not new to septic systems as all of our houses have had them, however on this property there are 15 (4"-presumably vent pipes) spread down the lateral leach field lines.. The last few houses we have owned have not had pipes like these across the leach field, as far as we saw, they may have been cut down already and had been a little shallow. I am wondering if I can cut these down to ground level and put the caps back on as it is taking up almost a 1/4 acre of my yard. I have a picture attached to look at, please note that the septic tank is behind where I am standing taking the picture, about 10-20 yards, and has the normal 2 large manhole covers, the smaller 8-12"? cover, and the 2 clean out pipes. Thanks for helping!! Josh P.s. I have no idea why this pic loaded upside down, I can't get it adjusted, you get the idea.photo.jpg[
Where did you move, Antarctica? Looks like your on the bottom of the planet.

He's an Aussie...

Right side up.

Josh, Yes you can cut them off flush with the ground. Before you do that though you should mark their locations on a survey of the property (measure from two corners of the house to each one). I painted my caps green so they would blend in the grass better. Make sure you cut them lower than what your lawn mower will cut so you don't hit them. I have been a septic inspector in Minnesota for the last 16 years. The pipes are inspection pipes at the drop boxes at one end and the other end is the end of the trench. They are used to see if the system is getting hydraulically overloaded. At the septic tank the smaller pipes are inspection over the inlet and outlet baffles. The tanks should only be pumped from the manhole cover.

Fred

Would it be a good idea to place removable caps on the ends once they are cut to keep debris out?

Originally Posted by Raymond Wand

Fred

Would it be a good idea to place removable caps on the ends once they are cut to keep debris out?

Absolutely! You don't want critters and insects getting in the system and taking bad things back out with them. Or kids reaching into them to see what is down there.

Thanks!

Spray paint them brown or dark gray, if you think they are ugly. You shouldn't be having any activities on top of the leach field as that can compact the soil and interfere with the performance (although I let my five sheep graze the leach field off twice a year for a total of four weeks).