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If you have a septic system, chances are you don’t think about it often. For the most part, as long as it’s doing what it’s supposed to be doing, you may not even really care about it.
What is a septic system? How big are they? What does it cost to replace one? Arm yourself with the knowledge of what a septic tank is and how to maintain one, in case something goes wrong.
What is a Septic Tank?
A septic tank is one part of the overall septic system. As a homeowner, you should know where your septic tank is and how old it is. Generally, septic tanks last about 20 years but they need regular pumping to remove buildup, sludge and scum. Residential septic tanks are required in neighborhoods where there is no connection to the city’s main sewage pipes.
About 25 percent of the homes in the United States rely on septic systems. Most septic systems have four components: a pipe leading from the home, a septic tank, a drainage field or leach field, and soil. Microbes in the soil are responsible for removing many of the contaminants from the wastewater you produce before it hits the groundwater. The septic tank itself is a watertight container made out of concrete, fiberglass or polyethylene and is buried underground to hold wastewater. From this wastewater, solids settle to form sludge, and oils come to the surface, known as scum. Special compartments and screens keep the sludge and scum from entering the drainfield.
Tips to Protect Your Septic System
To keep your septic system in good working order, it’s necessary to have it pumped out regularly. How often you do this depends on many factors, including family size, tank size and the volume of solids. For example, if you have a 900 gallon-tank for a family of four, you’ll need to pump it every two years. If you’ve got a 1500-gallon tank, you can get away with every four years. Also, if you have a garbage disposal, you’re dumping more solids into your tank than someone without a disposal — 50 percent more in fact.
Maintaining your septic system not only contributes to the life span of the unit, it also protects the investment in your home. If you don’t have it pumped regularly, it can back up and malfunction, contaminating the groundwater and thus the drinking water. It can also cost thousands of dollars to replace the tank. You could become legally responsible if you have a malfunctioning septic tank or one that’s not in use or in disrepair, which could make your property value plummet.
Pumping your system every couple of years at between $100 and $300 pales in comparison with the average cost of replacing a septic tank, which could run you between $3,000 and $10,000. Get in a regular maintenance plan with a company in your area so you are always on top of your pumping schedule. If you let it go too long, you will be met with some unpleasant signs your tank is overflowing, from an awful smell to backed up toilets. Some of the newer systems feature convenient alert systems when the tank is approaching full capacity.
You have to be careful with your septic system, as its capacity to handle bulky items is much less than a city sewage system. For instance, never flush dental floss, cotton swabs, feminine hygiene products, condoms, diapers, cat litter or paper towels, as they could damage the septic system. Likewise, if you flush chemicals, oil, pesticides, antifreeze or paint down the toilet, these harmful substances can harm the system’s biological treatment process and accumulate in the groundwater. Taking proper care of your septic tank and related system is important to keeping it in tip-top shape.
This article was provided by Matt Jeffries, on-site contract manager and all-around handy man. If you need an extra hand with your plumbing, Matt recommends Doug Turner Plumbing.
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19 Comments
Knowing how to clean your septic system is more important than knowing the intricate details of it. My grandma neglected taking care of her septic system for years. The odor was disgusting. Bottom line, it became a health hazard for her. http://www.canessco.org/services.html
I liked when the article mentioned that one of the ways to prevent problems is to pump out the tank on a regular basis. It seems like someone might have to consider the different factors so they could make an informed decision for their situation. I also like when the article mentions that pumping the tank can protect your home as well. Thanks for the article! http://www.robsseptictanks.com/pumping-services
Gary, I really liked how you included how long septic tanks usually last. My husband and I just moved into a home that is about 12 years old and it has a septic tank system. After reading this I know that we should start being careful with it and possibly start looking into a new one in about 8 years. I will have to show this to my husband so he will be informed as well!
Emily Smith | http://www.speedyrooter.com/septic-tank-cleaning/
emilyjsmith2 Glad you found the article helpful Emily! Thanks for the comment! Gary
James Lisbon Thanks James! Having a regular system in place for pumping out the tank is essential! Appreciate your feedback!
It is very important to regular maintenance your septic system; they are estimated to last twenty years, but sludge and other things can quickly build up and cause problems. It is very important to take the time to have a professional regularly look over your system and ensure that it is operating properly. Keeping your system clean will ensure that it lasts for an extended period of time.
http://www.martinseptic.net
Pyrrhomaniac Good points! Thanks for sharing. I bet most people don’t know their tank size. Good thing to know!
JamesClarkson Great points James! Thanks for sharing!
Oops, didn’t mean to delete my comment. At least I have an extension that remembers what I typed earlier.
Gary, I agree that it is important to have your system pumped regularly. You might have to pump it more often if you have a larger family though. The tank size should also be taken into consideration. I personally don’t know my tank size, so I’ll have to talk to a contractor about it. http://www.lavendersedm.com
This is the true reality of home ownership. If you can’t handle it, then it’s probably not for you. I love owning a home, but it has many problems, all of which need to be sorted out by yours truly. I’m not sure that everyone is up to that kind of task, but if you are the rewards are well worth it.
http://www.northgeorgiabackhoe.com/about
JamesSimon1 I agree James. I can’t imagine not owning my own home! The benefits far out weigh the potential problems. Thanks for your feedback!
MikeReynolds13 Great idea Mike. Most people don’t know their tank size. Good info to have! Thanks!
Pyrrho MikeReynolds13 Hardly anybody knows their tank size! Every homeowner should make a point of finding out. It does make a difference. thanks!
The part that mentioned knowing the age of your tank stuck out to me. The reason being is that by knowing the age of your system, you could possibly help prevent potential problems down the road. The last thing that someone would probably want is to have issues with their septic system. http://hrcomplete-septic.com/WPC/?page_id=21
Well Gary, the septic tank is something that I don’t really think of on a daily basis. After reading this article I realize how important it really is to protect the septic system in general. It seems like a good idea to have it serviced every few years like you said.
http://www.mrsepticman.com/recidential.html
Gray, this is a great post about septic systems. My husband and I are looking for a house right now. One of the houses that we like a septic system and we wanted to learn a little more about it. The house is about 12 years old so according to this post it only has about 8 years left before it needs to be replaced. I will have to show this to my husband and see what he thinks.
Emily Smith | http://www.koberlein.com/residential/septic-tank-installation-repair/
MikeReynolds13 That’s something I never thought of before. Gary is probably right, most people don’t know their tank size. I know that I don’t. Maybe I’ll have to check the size, and see if I need to upgrade it. http://www.capitalsepticservices.ca
This is some really great information about septic tanks. I had no idea that most septic tanks last about 20 years. It would be a good idea to ask about how old the septic tank is in a house you are thinking about buying. It seems like that would be a important thing to know before you purchase a house. http://srsliquidwaste.com.au/services/