High Water Table

[jsawyer]

I wish to build on a piece of property that has a water table just about at surface. Fortunately, I have access to unlimited structural and regular fill.

Is it possible to fill in to build on such a high water table?

If so how high should I fill for a full basement?
Benefit: if it can be called one, the land is 3 feet below street level. Therefore, the fill would consume some of that area.

Would this be considered below the frost line?

Any general information about high water table builing would be appreciated.
Thank you, JIM

[Rich]

The only situation I've been in that reflects your situation would be a cabin I built that was at water level of a large river. A shovel full of dirt and we hit water.
We built on 16x16x8 pads to an array of 6x6 beams on which we built the structure. Now I wouldn't recommend that for a house you're going to live in.
My first question is - why did you buy this property? The initial problem is how to build on it.. the bigger problem will be down the road after the home is built and how you're going to control the water from entering your home. I can give recommendations on water control systems.. but..
You'll have to contact an engineer I'm afraid. I couldn't honestly give you any advice that wouldn't be pure speculation. Maybe someone else on the forum has had experience in this type of construction.

[mjpliv]

That is one frightening building scenario. Is this on a flood plain? Is there any chance of frost in this area? Siesmic activity? Do you plan to build on ground level or above?

Do you have a really good insurance broker??

[jsawyer]

I purchased it because in Fairfield County, CT you can not find property to build on anymore. PArticularly 5 1/2 acres at $100,000. If it costs me $100,000 in adjustment to put a house on it I am still ahead of the game. Since 1 acre goes from anywhere between 175K and 200K.

Perhaps I did not give enough detail.
The property is gently sloping and seems to be at its lowest point a drainage area for all the properties around it. Most likely since it is the lowest point. It is not on a flood plain and with the exception of being the lowest point 3 feet below the street is not unlike the other properties around it.

I have spoken to an engineer and it is entirely possible to keep the water out once it is built especially if the house is raised above the ground level (water level).

But from what it sounds like is I should sell the property?
I know of homes that were built near a river here on a high water table just not this high.

In your general opinions would it be concievable to build a basement home using fill in such an area? Using the slope as a natural drain, an engineered drainage system and fill?

Finally, assuming I did find a way to construct the home. Using once again the 10 feet of fill and slope would it be possible to put in a septic system. Since a septic, uses evaporation rather than leaching.

But, I do thank you for your opinions and help. This is the most useful site that I have found to date. Since most builders in this area will tell you exactly what you want to hear just to gain your profits. CT is a terrible place to find a reputable builder now a days. Everybody and their brother got their GC's license and thinks that they can build a home.

Thank you, JS

[mjpliv]

If it were mine to build I would only remove enough material to eliminate the organics and lay my footings right there. Perhaps I would pour a 4-5 foot concrete foundation wall and start trucking in fill an lots of it.

To be honest, I have never heard of or seen a residential evaporation septic system. I would have expected to see a mound distribution system (leeching) made with washed imported sand (which can be purchaced using a wheelbarrow full of money).

[Rich]

We're using an evaporate system on our current project. I think they call them infiltrators - they are about 6' long and 3' wide by about 18" tall. The "leech" piping runs through the middle of them. Inside these infiltrators is just air - no sand, dirt, etc. Interesting system. The health department signed off on them - so they must do the job.. I'm hoping :)

[jsawyer]

I have also looked into the mound.

What I meant was that most of the liquid waste that is expelled from the septic tank does immediately leach into the ground but it then is disbursed by evaporation. Through the soil and outward.

That is why the mound system works. They are usually not that high and would never be able to handle the amount if there was no evaporation.

Sorry if I had confused you. I assume that the new system of evaporation works the same though there is no soil to slow down the evaporation process.

You have all been very helpful and I thank you very much.

So I am to assume that building here is possible it will just take large amounts of fill (structural, septic and normal). Which I can get at no cost.

Thanks, JS

[mjpliv]

A geo-technical analysis wouldn't hurt to verify the soil bearing capacity

[jsawyer]

Is there a good palce to get a deatailed breakdown of the expenses in building a house. I do not need to know the actual figures, but rather the line itemization.

Much like an estimator but in even greater deatil. IE labor breakouts where necessary and so on.

This will help me keep track of the builders actual and financial progress as well as allow the the oportunity to get the detail in the contract.

Thanks, JS

[mjpliv]

Rich can help you with that one! In the mean time have a look through this thread -

http://www.construction-resource.com/forum/ftopic423.html

[Rich]

Before you sign a contract.. go through and specify as much as you can. By specify I mean specify which light fixtures you want, what appliances you want, tubs, plumbing fixtures, etc. This leaves nothing to the imagination. Invariably your builder will put an allowance for appliances of 10k or something and it'll end up being 15k. By getting rid of all the builders allowances you get a much more accurate picture of what the home will cost.
Let me see if I can find an article on NAHB from awhile back on the breakdown of a typical home.

[Rich]

This one has 2 different breakdowns in it.. the one for the lot doesn't apply to you. I'm not sure what the square footage on it is though.
http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?genericContentID=368