Septic tanks don’t have to be scary (or smelly)
Septic tanks are not bad when properly maintained, and deciding whether septic tanks are a bad choice depends on your location and maintenance commitment.
Expect to pay $400 for septic tank pumping every three to five years, with repair costs ranging from $630 to $2,970 depending on the issue.
Your septic system needs regular inspections every two to five years to catch problems early, preventing water contamination and avoiding expensive repairs down the road.
Hiring a local septic tank company provides reliable support for pumping, inspections, and repairs, helping you maintain your system and avoid costly damage.
Moving to the countryside comes with plenty of perks—less traffic, fewer neighbors, and more peace and quiet. But there are also some things about rural living that might not be as appealing, including having to use a septic tank instead of being connected to the public sewer system. However, while septic tanks might not have the best reputation, they aren’t necessarily a bad option (and depending on where you live, they may be the only option). Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of residential septic systems.
As part of a larger septic system, a septic tank collects waste and water from all of the plumbing fixtures in your home, including your toilets, sinks, showers, and washing machine. (By the way, there are several types of septic systems, but for the purposes of this guide, we’ll focus on conventional anaerobic systems).
Septic tanks originated in the mid-19th century, and they’re still widely used today. In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), about 20% of all U.S. homes run on a septic system.
Usually, your septic tank will sit underground, but if your yard isn’t big enough or doesn’t have the right type of soil, you might need an above-ground septic tank.
Whenever you flush your toilet, do a load of laundry, or take a shower, the waste and water flow down your pipes and into your septic tank. At this point, the solid waste (known as “sludge”) sinks to the bottom of the tank, while grease and oils (called “scum”) float to the top. In the middle, there’s a layer of wastewater (or “effluent”).
The wastewater flows out of the tank and into a set of drainage pipes, which sit underneath your yard in an area known as the drain field. These pipes have holes, which slowly release water into the ground. The soil filters out harmful bacteria in the wastewater before it reaches the groundwater beneath it. Meanwhile, naturally occurring bacteria inside the septic tank break down the solid waste.
Depending on where you live, you might not have a choice in whether or not your house uses a septic tank. Regardless, it’s important to understand the advantages and disadvantages of these systems. Are septic tanks bad? Not necessarily, but they might not be the right choice for you and your home if you feel the cons outweigh the pros.
You can save money: If you have a septic tank, you won’t have to pay to access the public sewer system, saving you money on your utility bills.
Septic tanks are better for the environment (as long as they’re well-maintained): Anaerobic septic systems use soil to naturally filter out harmful bacteria from wastewater before going back into the groundwater supply.
You have more flexibility in where you live: By being open to using a septic system rather than the public sewer system, you’ll have more options when choosing a place to live.
You’ll need to pay for septic tank maintenance: This includes having your septic tank inspected and pumped every two to five years.
If your septic system leaks or overflows, it can contaminate your drinking water: Harmful chemicals and pathogens can escape from damaged pipes and seep into the groundwater, potentially contaminating your well water. This is why good septic maintenance is vital.
Your tank will need to be replaced at some point: With good care and regular maintenance, your septic tank can last 20 to 30 years, but eventually, you will have to replace your septic tank.
Before you move into a house with a septic system, it’s important to understand how much you can expect to spend on maintaining it. Pumping the waste from your tank is the most predictable expense you’ll have, and septic tank pumping costs around $400. You’ll want to have your system pumped every three to five years. It’s also a good idea to schedule a professional inspection every two to five years (and that usually runs between $100 and $200).
If you think that there might be a problem with your septic system, you should hire a local septic tank company to check it out as soon as possible. Ignoring septic concerns could lead to several problems down the road, including water contamination and pricey repairs. Here are some of the most common signs that your septic system isn’t working properly:
It smells like sewage inside or outside your home.
There is standing water or dampness on top of your drain field.
Your tubs, toilets, and sinks are backed up or drain slowly.
You hear gurgling sounds in your pipes or other parts of your septic system.
On average, septic system repairs cost about $1,790, but they can range from around $630 to $2,970. If the damage is extensive, you might need to replace the entire septic system, which generally costs about $7,300.
I recently moved to another state and chose United Trust Van Lines after comparing several companies. Their team was punctual, professional, and extremely careful with my belongings. I was especially impressed with how they handled my home office setup and fragile items. Everything arrived on...
United Trust Van Lines, LLCPositive experience. As previously stated, the replacement/repair could not be completed (no fault of the plumbing tech) b/c misinformation was rec?d by property management maintenance. Thanks to the plumbing tech for your efforts. Appreciate you!
The WaterworksAs usual with ECO, tech Jordan was outstanding, very professional, very knowledgeable, and very thorough with repairs made to tankless water heaters. Very highly recommend ECO!!!
Eco Plumbers, Electricians, and HVAC TechniciansI would recommend this company to anyone! He showed up on time, was friendly, completed a very difficult repair on our dryer vent cover, was responsive, and pricing was extremely fair and competitive. I would have him back to do any of our repairs or cleanings without hesitation!
U.S.A. Dryer Vent, LLCBest cleaning I've had at my property
I'm a repeat customer of All Star Paving & Sealing and I appreciate the service that all start paving has done for me in the past. I just recently had them out for an estimate and things couldn't have gone better. The staff that they send out to do the estimates are very knowledgeable. The...
All Star Paving and SealingSupreme Brick & Chimney is one of the best service providers I’ve interacted with. Extremely efficient, knowledgeable, and thorough. They took the time to walk me through their detailed full-service inspection and were extremely professional. Not to mention their turnaround time was...
Supreme brick & chimneyStorms Mobile Welding was great to work with. They were prompt, professional and did an overall excellent job on the project. I highly recommend.
Great experience all together. Dog friendly, courteous, great results and honest with recommendations. Will certainly be using Cardinal in the future for any carpet repairs
Cardinal Carpet Care & RepairDid a great job replacing the ice maker and water regulator on my refrigerator. He was quick and thorough, very friendly and professional. If I needed a heart transplant I'd want him to do it!!!
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
A damaged septic system can leak odors and sewage, so repairs are urgent. Find out how much septic tank repair costs based on repair type, tank size, and more.
Caring for your septic system is crucial to ensuring its long life. But how much does it cost to pump a septic tank? We explore the different cost factors.
It’s crucial to install a septic tank with the right volume to avoid wastewater backups. This guide will help you calculate the right septic tank volume.
Caring for your septic system properly can mean the difference between paying a few hundred dollars and paying thousands of dollars for a replacement.
Septic tanks are kept underground, so checking the levels inside can be a challenge. Learn how to check if a septic tank is full with this guide.
Sludge buildup in a septic tank is natural, but it needs to go somewhere eventually. Learn what to put in a septic tank to break down solids efficiently.
