Why are some septic installers still living in the dark ages?

[Toxic Avenger]

<Steps onto soapbox....>

In my experience, most septic installers draw up their own septic designs and issue them to the local health departments.  Some have decided to forego that process and actually sub-contract out another company to design the septic system.  In general, these "professionally" designed septic drawings are superior to anything a septic installer will come up with.  Not only are the engineered drawings done on computer, but they are usually more accurate, precise and clean.

I have seen some septic installer drawings that look like an 8 year old drew them.  Now, I'm not saying today's installers should be designing their drawings on a computer, but for the love of God can't some of you at least use a straight edge! 

Now in all honesty, there are some installer drawings that were done by hand that could rival any engineered CAD drawing, but this is not the norm.  Most installers put the bare minimum amount of information on the drawing.  Some do even less.  Some can't even get the North arrow direction right.
You do not have to be a good "artist" to create a good septic drawing.  Just make sure to keep it neat (use a straight edge), show ALL the information required by the respective local health department, and make sure it meets the minimum specifications.  It really isn't that hard. 

To all you installers that actually take the design drawing seriously, I congratulate you.  The rest of you guys/gals need to come out of the dark ages and get with the program, or else hand over the design responsibilities to a "professional" that does care about quality.   

<.....steps down from soapbox.>

[LM Excavating]

I guess I see just the opposite, I have yet to see an engineer's drawings that were able to be installed on the site and meet state code.

I do ALL my own work and would NEVER install to anyone's drawings other than my own.

We probably just don't have qualified engineers down here (first they have to at least visit the site)

BUT,,,,

Unless Health Dept.s actually LOOK at the drawings and VISIT the site before work begins to VERIFY the drawings the whole process is majorly flawed anyway.

I can draw a set of plans and manufacture the site to the plans and the Health Dept would never know.

Of course "I" would NEVER do this **BUT** I have seen it done before,,,,,,,

So unless we have qualified Health Dept personnel there will ALWAYS be problems

[jmenchhofer]

I have seen some septic installer drawings that look like an 8 year old drew them.  Now, I'm not saying today's installers should be designing their drawings on a computer, but for the love of God can't some of you at least use a straight edge! 

 

Very true...kudos to those of you who take the time to do it right!!

[phil zim]

We here at Zimmerman Brothers do several design drawings for septic systems. And yes I do use a straight edge for our drawings to be as neat as possible next to a computer design. I take alot of pride in our designs and sometimes get into some pretty tricky designs.