New septic system complete DIY tutorial for beginners 

Very thorough, Dirt Boss. You put a LOT of hard work into this one and still did all the filming. You can be proud of the extra attention to detail getting things squared up & true. Plus the explanations were really excellent - I especially like your recapping things.

This video was excellent. I've been in the trades my whole life but have limited experience with this type of work. You really expedited my learning and understanding of what goes into these systems. Great video.

Just subscribed...just bought an acre lot in Pahrump, Nevada....have ZERO experience with septic system...appreciate your great video

Businesses around me are quoting 15-18k to do my system. Nope, just going to watch these videos and do it myself. Thanks!

Wow, what a great video on leach fields. I've watched a lot of videos, and no one has shown and explained as well as you did. I liked how you got straight to work without a 10 minute intro. Thanks.

I love seeing pros drop their expertise to us consumers.

I've watched probably a dozen videos on how to install a septic system today, this is by far the best and most informative. If I saw this one first, I would have stopped because you answered every question I had. Thank you!

Tony Soprano running a excavator. Great voice, great instructions. Did you install risers ? Makes clean out so much easier.

It nice to see someone putting that much pride in something as mundane as a septic system. Quality work. Is filter fabric code now. The last septic I was a part of didnt require the fabric but that was 20 years ago. Keep on keepin on brother.

Beautiful job Boss! What a pleasure it is to see men take pride in their work, and only complete the job if it's 100% correct and on point. Keep the vids coming Mike!

This was a great help. Thank you. A few questions on the the math so I do it correctly. 1. The non perf pipe portions are 1/4“ fall per foot correct? 2. Once I’m with perf pipe you said a 1” slope. Did I understand correctly- are you saying 1” drop per foot of perf pipe? Or is it still 1/4” fall per foot? 3. I do a 6” bed of gravel before laying the perf pipe? Then cover to 2” above then lay the filter fabric right? 4. Do you cap the ends of the perf pipe or leave them open? Thanks again. This video was excellent.

Aloha Dirt Boss... excellent video, straight to the point, no fluff. I learned a lot. I need to install a septic system with leach field here in Waimanalo, Hawaii. Not rocket science, but lots to consider. You’ve given me inspiration and motivation to try and install it myself and help with some mason friends. You got another subscriber from the Aloha State. Looking forward to your other videos. 🤙🏽

Excellent work there bud, enjoy watching someone doing it right the first time 👍

You set the standard high and you are a amazing example to learn from! I enjoy watching your videos. Always learning.

Question if you set laser for 6 inch over dig, for stone on 50 foot leaching field, and assuming you need 6 inch’s of stone how did you achieve slope does laser slope?

I got a price if $12,000.00 I want to rent the hoe and the skid steer and you tube my self learning to use the rental equipment and putting in the new septic. The old farm house just has a 3' round barrel that the owners have been pumping more and more often. I'm looking forward to the learning curve.( and an affordable working septic.)

liked, subscribed, and shared. great video, excellent explanations. Good info on the code even though they are different everywhere. It is a very good reference to understand the local code differences. For our system, the installer is not sure if the crane can get the concrete septic box to the location due to tricky access. We may have to use a fibreglass tank but we also have a bit of a high water table in the winter which apparently can be a problem for those tanks. We are hoping we can change the tank location a little to allow for crane access. Have you had experience with the fiberglass tanks? Any install differences I should watch for?

Great tutorial. I'm going to be putting a cabin at our place in the future and may tackle the septic myself. Thanks for sharing!

Always good to know the measurements and go by code. Everyone does things differently but as long as it turns out to code there's no harm done. Codes are different everywhere. No one digs the same or operates the same. You did a good job, first time watcher here. Good job explaining everything and making it clear what is going on and how you do things or have to do it. Thank you for your time making this video.

you must have a real agreeable code guy there, cant cover anything till they see it in person.have to haul all spoil dirt from every run out of the field and have it all set before they will look at it.sooooo much more work and pain in the ass.this looks like a well thought out system,nice job.

Wish you showed a bit of filling it in at end, great video!

Mike, I've now watched this video 3 times. Learn something new each time I watch it. Great job! I hope the covid 19 issue isn't slowing you down in your area . How about an in depth video on which rotary laser you like best and how to shoot grades , especially in another septic install since it has so many areas you have to account for. Would appreciate any additional advice and keep those videos coming! Great work all around!

Watching from Aus & about to build a 2 bed cottage on our rural piece of dirt near Perth so this was first-rate helpful in every respect; you use that excavator like most use a toothpick; great skills & v thorough explanation coupled with good video/filming skills. Grateful thanks for your time & effort to help ignorant jobs like me!

Most professional installation I have seen yet. Do you prefer the stone and pipe field vs the perforated chamber option?

"give it a little tampy tamp" you from jersey or ny? lmao

You are most excellent at explaining/teaching. Just a top-notch explanation in your video. "Pro at work here people, step aside!"

I watch your videos and learn. I do light excavation in Maine. You have many good points.

In Canada we have to connect everything and then get Gov inspection to cover.

We are new owners of a house with a septic system. Never owned one before and I prefer to know how it works and how it looks to understand the function. Thank you for this!

Mike I really love all the detail and math that you are putting forth on this project. Good job buddy.

I'm located in California and my leech field failed just after 3 years. I've had several companies come out and say I have too much clay in the ground. Is this something that the company that put the leech field in is supposed to know?

Also have one more question if you don't mind me asking. I usually have a man with me to shoot grade for me. Have you somehow attached your laser to the Boom or stick I mean? That may seem like a silly question I'm just not understanding where your laser reader is?

This is for beginners..?!?!?!?! Wow...sounds like ppl need to take a course before they watch this...

@doortboss, I see some guys saying the screen fabric should go under gravel and on sides also. I suspect this this is overkill but looks like since you just have yours on top gravel you may feel that way also?

Thanks for the vid, very informative. What all was involved in getting licensed to be able to install these systems? thanks

I probably simular yourself has a lot to do. And film this ! I learned a few things. Thanks for taking time to school us .

What a genius idea of mounting the laser receiver to the boom.

Nice install. I always place tracer wire on the line from the house to the DBox Appreciated the layout. Inspection ports are a nice addition to monitor the system.

Building my own home. So helpful!

You do very good work,the lazer on the boom makes it a lot faster,but you need a helper maybe you have one.that d box is pretty neat

So is the trunk perfectly level like the D-box? I got all the other ones, but missed that one.

That’s a nice D box with the built in gaskets, the junk concrete boxes we get have wire always in the knockout and then we have to use UGL drylock fast set cement to seal the holes up. Nice work though

could one use a Trenching Auger for laying in the pipes if they didn't have access to a backhoe?

Does that model spectra laser do slopes? which receiver are you using. Is it difficult to use the slope software?

I'm a city boy who didn't know sh*t about septic systems until I slipped into RU-vid. Your video clarified what I'll need to do for a rural property. Thx!

Best video of its kind I've seen. And you are a master with the excavator! A pleasure to watch a man who knows his business!

Excellent video AAA+++ just wish you were showing one way up here in Alaska. Now because of what you taught I might move my plans on the leash field to make way for more room on the property. Thanks

Great video.! Thank you. What set up are you using on boom for laser?

Excellent work and explained with precision detail by far the best I've seen. Quick question : Is it always a requirement to run 6 trenches? Could 4 trenches work its simply a summer vacation home?

Hey, thanks for doing this. How did you learn so much about the codes for angles, distances from house, etc. seems like a ton of information to reliably keep in mind. Is there some kind of quick reference document you use? Good work making a conceptually difficult job into a totally watchable and informative video.

Hey, you did a great job on this video! I am a plumber and was going to get a laser for my backhoe. Do you mind saying what brand you have and how long you've had it and are you satisfied with it? Thanks, great job!

Curious do you not have any laborers that work for you?

Nice explanation of everything. Something I've wondered about and never seen anyone go into detail is how do you get a water tight seal between the pvc pipe and the concrete d box or concrete tank?

How long is the typical septic permit approval time in your area? Our soils map and survey for the septic on our new home we are going to build was submitted over 3 months ago and we are still waiting!! My county here in TN has the most stringent guidelines which makes the average approval time for applicants at between 4- 6 months. It's ridiculous!

In some states, all concrete lids must be sealed, bitumen or such, against root intrusion. Do you recommend that for DIYers?

Excellent, why others make it soo hard and sound like voodoo is a mystery...….there is a set of plans,...a layout and a installation ..............

Great work buddy I don’t even do this kind of work I do tree work but I very much enjoyed

Great video !!! This man really knows his business !!! He is very good with the excavator as well !!! I do have a question. When the inspector comes by for approval & issue of a permit, shouldn't all of the plumbing, tank & distribution box be exposed for the inspection? Which state is this work being done at?

Dirt Boss, pumping these videos out!! gotta love it. Your over 500 subs, way to go Mike!

Great Video! Subscribed. It's the best I have watched for septic installations. Thanks so much. How much gravel did you use/order? Why perforated instead of chambers?

For septic tank and distro box. Which is better? concrete or plastic?

Can I do this even if my digging pulls up the previous system?

Schweet kid. I don't even need a septic system but I'm gonna install one anyways. C'mon back

how much does all the stone cost for a job like this one?

Great video, thank you

How are you shooting measurements while you’re in the hoe?

Dirt Boss this video is excellent. I am building my own home here in GA. The builders of my last home should have watched your master class before installing in our subdivision. Most of the septic systems have failed. Thank you from GA.

Welcome back Mike, nice job on explaining everything. Take care, Stanley

looks like somthing a first time DIY job could easily mess up. Would it be safer to DIY an Aerated system? The pump and electricty cost will be added expense, but seems simpler to me.?

Who wrote those plans with all he elevations and distances?

Very unfortunate that the cheapest grade of Perforated Pipe known as Light Gage Pipe, which can easily crush was used for this installation. In my state, Solid Schedule 35 SDR Pipe would be required from the Septic Tank to the Distribution Box and from the Distribution Box out to the Distribution Lines in the Leaching Field itself. In my opinion, it makes sense to spend the money to use Schedule 35 SDR Perforated Pipe for the Lateral Leach Lines as well. Quite Frankly, I would also use a much heavier grade of Filter Fabric... not the cheap landscaping material from your local Home Improvement Big Box Store. Also, I'm a big believer in using extra stone, because stone is cheap, and it only cost me a few hundred dollars for another load... the more aggregate you put under and over the pipe the better. Plus vent the far end of the leachfield for increased airflow, because it doesn't really cost anymore money. In fact, you can use the scrap pipe you have left over, because you always have extra pipe.

So 1/8" per foot is the minimum, right? No issues with going greater than that, is there?

Is there a video on using the laser level/survey device?

where is this magical land of soil with zero rocks? I dig with my tractors backhoe and it’s screeching sounds left and right from all the stone and ledge the teeth hit. This soil must be a dream to dig through. I hope whomever installed my homes septic system took the time and care this guy did to be sure it’s done right. probably not but one can hope so. nice work sir.

Your Not only Very Professional Tradesman, But Talented you are a Natural Teacher, I LUV Learning from your online classes! 🚧🏡 🚜 Cheers!

Currently watching as my septic backs up due to heavy rain. In the process of rent to own so i see doing this in my near future. Wonder how long itd take with a shovel? 😂

New subscriber, love your content Mike I have property in the northern Adirondacks and I have to put a similar system in for a cabin I just built the only thing you didn't mention unless I missed it was what is the drop per foot for all the lines coming from the d box down the trunk to all the laterals? Or is the trunk lines from the d-box all level? Thanks.

What Lazer/Transit are you using?

I've been installing septic systems for quite a few years and I've always used 36-inch drain field ditches. And I just wondered what was the deal with this job. Is it because of the location and the specifications given by the health department?

Great video. Clears up a lot of how system is installed. Just learning after buying house with septic, and trying to find where all coponents are installed. Had to go to health department to get drawing. I have 1 question, have you ever heard of a drain field being installed 160" deep. Now my property is on a slope and has something called a LGMI installed about 10 feet ahead of drain that diverts water around field. And field is approx. 100 feet from house. Could it be the soil type? Thanks again.

Men building America!

Very nice video, question does every line that u dig like the line 1-2-3-4-5-6 , the father they go do you got to dig them deeper ?

Appreciate your precision in dirt. This sort of attitude and skill is what makes a quality product. Any home owner that needs to hire an excavator to do this work should watch and see what it takes to do this properly. My guess is you were schooled by some quality, and you listened well. I’m subscribing, keep ‘em coming brother.

Are there caps on the end of each 50 foot run? Thanks for the great video Dirt Boss. I will be tackling my own install because of this.

I have six leech lines and was told to put a elbow in to switch between each set of leech lines. 3 for 6 months and so on. I now its different from state to state. What I have seen and read the health department is wrong. Just need a lil advice. Thanks.

Love the video, I know it’s 3 years old but I just ran across it randomly. Hope the channel Is full of this type of content

USN, Ret. trying to purchase my first home with a Septic System. PLEASE MOVE TO FLORIDA! Owners have no "As-Is" drawings, most do not register their systems with the health department, I can't get a straight answer on the last baffle filter change, and I can't get installers to quote code. I would DIY it if I could. BZ on your video. Subscribed.

thats funny that you can back fill before inspection, we can only bed the stone, as the inspector want to shoot the lines at random to make sure there no dips in the lines, and they want to make sure we have 6 inchs of stone over the pipes

Do you not want filter fabric on the bottom of each run? Im looking to do my own soon. Thanks for the very informative video! Wondering if weeds will eventually get through the stone and work its way through the holes on the bottom.

Where I live they don't use D-boxes the lines are all attached the the coils on the back of an old refrigerator

awesome. answered so many questions. gave me new ones that are way more informed. knowledgeable and precise. How much did this cost to...whomever?

What would this cost to hire a company

The information you gave is pretty much standard throughout the country there might be a little here or there that will change depending on where you live up north where the frost line is 4 feet versus center of the country word you don’t have a frost line

Are the septic tanks required to be concrete by local code or can you use a poly tank? Is that determined by soil or weather? Thanks for making the video. Appreciate the detail.

Very good video! Great job. Thanks for sharing and your efforts in filming!

One of the greatest explanations, how to install a drainfield, watched it over and over again just got done doing my first septic system install!!

how many tons is your mini excavator ?

This seems so simple. Why are septic systems so expensive to install?

Looks like the leach field runs uphill? Hard to tell on video.

can my leech field be (3) 20ft?