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All municipalities in the U.S. require a permit for septic tank installation or septic system alteration, and the permit will usually cost between $450 and $2,500. Some municipalities also require permits for septic system repair. You’ll either need to contact your local building department or your septic tank company to ask if this is necessary before carrying out the work. Permits are not typically required to have your septic tank pumped, so provided your septic company is licensed, you can move forward with the work as needed.

While dry wells can be effective for managing rainwater, they have several disadvantages. They can become clogged with sediment, especially after large storms, which reduces their effectiveness and can be difficult to clean. Dry wells are also not suitable for all soil types; they will not function properly in soil with low permeability. Additionally, if a dry well is not large enough to handle the amount of rainfall in your area, it can overflow. For gravity-flow models, the water may disperse very slowly, depending on the well's depth and the soil's permeability.

You can check your own septic tank, but take precautions. Locate the access lid, usually buried a few inches underground, and remove it carefully. Look for the sludge and scum levels, and if they’re high, that means pumping may be necessary. Check for odors, slow drains, or pooling water around the drain field, which could indicate issues. Never enter the tank, as toxic gases can be fatal. All of that being said, a professional inspection is safer and more thorough.

Bladder and diaphragm well pressure tanks are usually pre-charged at the factory. Even so, it’s important to check the air pressure in the tank using a tire pressure gauge on the relief valve. The instruction manual usually calls for 28 psi. Use a hand pump to add more air or release some air from the tank to reach the desired number. Check the pressure periodically to see if you need to add more air to the tank.