Septic System Repair
We find out why a septic system is failing and repair the part that failed. That covers septic tanks, distribution boxes, pipes and leach fields across Rhode Island.
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South County Septic and Excavation Services is a retaining wall contractor serving North Kingstown and the rest of Rhode Island. We design and build retaining walls in block and natural stone, boulder walls included. As a hardscape contractor, we build walkways and outdoor stairs for homes and businesses too.
Much of a retaining wall's strength sits out of sight, in the base under it and the drainage behind it. On a new lot, a wall can go in with the grading during site work. Call or text (401) 474-8926, and we look at the job and put the quote in writing.
Tell us about the septic, sewer, drainage or excavation job and where the property is. We look at the job and put the quote in writing.
A block wall starts with a trench for the leveling pad, the gravel bed under the first course. Like other excavation near buried utilities, that trench waits on a Dig Safe notice. A block maker's installation guide calls for a pad at least 6 inches deep. The soil under it gets compacted, and any organic soil comes out first.
The first course sits buried at least 6 inches, and deeper on some walls. The guide warns that any error in that course grows as the wall gets taller. So each block gets checked for level, front to back and side to side.
Drainage stone fills the space behind the block, over a drain pipe sloped to an outlet. Backfill goes in 6 to 8 inches at a time, compacted as each course goes up. Filter fabric over the stone keeps soil out of it, and the final grade turns runoff away from the wall.
Under Rhode Island's home building code, a retaining wall up to 32 inches tall needs no permit. The height runs from the lower finished grade to the top of the wall. That exemption ends when the wall supports a surcharge, an added load such as a driveway above it. A cast-in-place concrete wall over 24 inches tall always needs a permit.
The model residential code Rhode Island adopted calls for an engineered design in two cases. One is a wall holding back more than 48 inches of soil with nothing bracing its top. The other is a wall over 24 inches that resists sideways loads besides the soil itself. We build those walls to the engineer's plan, with geogrid mesh in the backfill where the plan calls for it.
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) regulates freshwater wetlands and the land around them. A wall within 100 feet of a wetland, or 200 feet of a river or stream, can need RIDEM's permit. Along Narragansett Bay and the salt ponds, the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) covers the 200 feet beside the shore. Each office answers for your lot, and we point you to the right one.
Our hardscape work covers walkways and outdoor stairs. A walkway can run along the top of a new wall, and stairs can climb the slope beside one. When they share a slope, we plan the wall and the steps together.
Rhode Island's home building code waives the permit for a sidewalk up to 30 inches above the ground beside it. That exemption does not cover one built over a basement or a story below. Whether your walkway or stairs count as a sidewalk is the town building office's call.
Walkways shed rain. The same code requires hard surfaces within 10 feet of a house to slope at least 2 percent away. Where runoff still has nowhere to go, a French drain can carry it off.
Call or text for a written quote. We work about 40 miles around North Kingstown across all of Rhode Island.
(401) 474-8926From the first call or text to the finished work, here is how it goes.
Call or text (401) 474-8926 and tell us the town and the job. Photos of the problem or the lot help.
We come out to see the site and how a machine gets in. On a problem call, we look for the cause first.
The quote comes to you in writing, with the work spelled out. A septic design goes to the state for approval before the install.
After a Dig Safe (811) call, the utilities mark their buried lines before any machine digs. Then we do the work the quote describes.
Where we dug, we backfill and grade, and we tell you what we did. A new septic system goes into use once the state issues its Certificate of Conformance.
Common questions about retaining walls around North Kingstown and the rest of Rhode Island. If yours is not here, call or text and ask.
We find out why a septic system is failing and repair the part that failed. That covers septic tanks, distribution boxes, pipes and leach fields across Rhode Island.
Learn More
We dig the test holes and lay out a septic system that fits your lot's soil. The design package then goes to RIDEM for approval.
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We dig up and replace broken and root-filled sewer lines, from the house to the street or the septic tank. We also lay new sewer lines for homes that tie into town sewer.
Learn MoreWe install conventional septic systems and advanced treatment systems, such as nitrogen-reducing units. The soil and the state's rules decide which one fits the lot.
We take on small residential repairs and large commercial site work. On new construction, we work closely with the builder and the engineer.
We look at the job before we price anything. Then the quote comes to you in writing, and the work starts once you say yes.
Real reviews of our septic and excavation work, 8 reviews on Google.
South County Septic did an excellent job replacing our old septic system and leach-field. Michael surveyed the property, designed a new system, installed and worked with the RI DEM with no issues. I highly recommend this business.
Michael was great! Picked up right away and was able to come within the hour to evaluate. Immediately got into motion additional resources we might need to come that day and solved the problem. Very informative and great to work with. Highly recommend.
Was referred out to Michael after an emergency waterline break that flooded our basement. He was there every step of the way and answered all the questions we had. Michael let us know what was happening during the process and could not have been happier with the outcome. Great price and great customer service! Highly recommend if anyone is in need of their services
Tell us what the job is and which town the property is in. Call or text (401) 474-8926 or use the form, and photos by text help.
Tell us about the septic, sewer, drainage or excavation job and where the property is. We look at the job and put the quote in writing.