Residential Septic Systems - Maintenance, Problems & Installations

Septic systems have been around for a long time. And they are still in use today. In fact, 25% of the U.S. population still relies on a septic system for residential sewage disposal. Septic systems are found mainly in areas without city sewage lines like certain suburbs and rural areas. Septic contractors and septic companies are not only still servicing existing tanks and fields they are still installing new septic systems in this country.

What is a Septic System?

A septic system is basically a waste treatment facility in your backyard. Instead of raw waste traveling away from a house in the city sewage lines to a large waste treatment plant, it is deposited in a septic tank buried outside the home. The tank holds the waste where it is mostly broken down by natural (or accelerated) bacteria and returned to the surrounding environment through what are called leech fields. The undigested solids, left over in the tank, are periodically pumped out and disposed of.

Septic System Advantages

The advantages of having a septic system on a property mainly involve the cost. An installed system might cost $3,000 and there are maintenance costs which are a few hundred dollars every 3 to 5 years while someone with city sewage lines are paying hundreds of dollars a year.

Septic System Disadvantages

There are regular maintenance requirements for a septic system. And some systems do fail, which can cost a lot to replace or repair. Septic systems also limit what you can put down your drains or flush in your toilets. There are also limits to what you can do with your land that is above the septic tank and drainage field. And not all soils are right for septic systems.

Septic System Failures

Septic systems usually last about 30 years. Some longer and some less, depending on proper care and the quality of products used in installations. There are signs when these systems fail – one may see waste backing up into a home through sinks, tubs, and toilets. Or see waste and liquid coming up through the soil in a yard. Even odd and bad smells let you know if a problem.

Pipes can break. Baffles in the tank can fail. The system may have been installed incorrectly. Chemicals may be introduced that kill the bacteria that break down waste. Even improper maintenance by the homeowner. If the tank is not pumped on a regular basis, the undigested waste can travel out to the leech field and clog it up.

Replacing a complete system may cost $5,000 to over $10,000, so spending a few hundred dollars to have the tank pumped every few years is a small price to pay. It’s also important to watch what is put into the system. Avoid solvents, thinners, pesticides, fats and oils, diapers or feminine products, any non-biodegradable materials in your drains. Don’t park or drive, plant water-loving trees, or build patios on top of your system.

Septic System Installation & Maintenance

Talk to a professional septic contractor or septic company about how to design your septic system if you’re installing one. Plan for the current family members as well as future family members in the house. Don’t forget to count your garbage disposal as a family member – it sends a large amount of waste into your system. Don’t skimp on the costs of the tank, the pump or other parts of your system. If you don’t have quality parts and the installation is not done right, you’ll spend a lot more and have a lot more headaches in the future.

If you already have a system, talk to your septic contractor or septic company about setting up a maintenance schedule so they come on a regular basis to make sure there are no problems. Make sure your septic contractor checks the baffles in the tank, the level of undigested waste in the bottom of the tank, and the tank is completely drained and checked for leaks. Septic inspection is key to maintaining your system so do not ignore it.

How to Find Septic System Contractors

If you need help finding septic service professionals to install or maintain a septic system at your home, you can submit your request to ConstructionDeal.com - at no cost. You'll get quotes from local septic contractors ready to help improve the value of your home, save you money, and improve your quality of life.

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