If you have questions about sewer line, water line, or septic tank repair, replacement, or installation, we have the answers. Below are common questions we get from clients:
Q. How much does an estimate cost?
A. Estimates are absolutely free!
Free EstimateQ. What forms of payment do you take?
A. Upon completion of the work, we accept cash, check, Mastercard, Visa, Discover and American Express. Any other forms of payment need to be discussed prior to the start of the project.
Q. Do you warranty your work?
A. Yes, we warranty all labor and materials.
Q. What is trenchless replacement?
A. This is a method of sewer line replacement or water line replacement beneath the ground without having to dig a large, open trench in your yard. We can do this via a burst method for sewer lines, or we can bore a new water line in. This is a great way to protect your landscaping.
Q. What are cleanouts?
A. Cleanouts are above-ground access points to your sewer line.
Q. How long does it take to install cleanouts?
A. The average time for the installation of cleanouts is 1 to 1.5 days.
Q. What is a ‘belly’ in my sewer line?
A. A belly is simply a low spot that collects water and/or paper debris which can ultimately cause a blockage.
Q. How long will I be without service if I have my sewer line replaced?
A. We will work to make sure your service is reconnected each evening before we leave, even if the trench is still open.
Q: How much does a septic system cost?
A. It’s just not that simple. El Paso County’s Department of Health updated their guidelines and requirements in 2016. Today, the county requires the homeowner to have a soils analysis (profile pits) completed to determine the type of septic system that can be installed. First, a homeowner contracts an excavator to dig two profile pits, which are 8-feet deep holes. A licensed soils engineer will do the analysis of the soil in those profile pits. The final analysis determines whether the septic system is required to be engineered, or if it can be a conventional system.
If conventional, Spotted Dog Excavating can design and install the system, providing you a cost based on the number of bedrooms, the LTAR (Long Term Acceptance Rate of the soil) and labor and materials.
If engineered, you must hire a licensed engineering firm to design the septic system. Spotted Dog Excavating can provide you a cost based on the final design to include all labor and materials.
Q: How long does a septic system installation take?
- Profile pits can generally be scheduled and completed within one to two weeks.
- Soils analysis is generally a two-week process.
- If engineering of the system is needed, the soils engineer usually needs 2-4 weeks to design the system.
- Once the system is designed, the county then gets involved and approves these designs and issues a permit. The county is working on a 3-5 week schedule.
- When Spotted Dog Excavating receives the design and approved permit, our excavation and installation takes approximately one week.
Q: How often should I pump my septic system?
A. Septic systems should be pumped every 2-3 years. Err on the side of 2 years if you have a larger family with high use of your wastewater (showers, laundry, etc.).
Q. Do you guys really have Spotted Dogs?
A. As a matter of fact…
