How Long Will My Septic System Last?

You may have had a septic system for a long time, and you’re wondering when it is time to get a new one. The truth is, that depends on a few factors, including how well you’ve taken care of it! Let’s take a look at the variables that can affect the lifespan of your septic system.

 

A septic system can last anywhere between fifteen and forty years – give or take. The different factors that come into it all can play a big part in the lifespan. These factors are the likes of the material, the damage it has endured, and the work carried out on it. There are lots of micro-factors, too, but those tend to be the major points. The life expectancy can also be affected by the kinds of systems that have been installed and particular facets that make it all up.


For instance, we’ll take into account the drain field. The size of the drain field, the percolation rate of the soil, and how frequently it is used. There is a huge dichotomy between a well-maintained drain field in good soil and a poorly-maintained one with terribly-installed piping. The former could last half a century, and the latter could barely go a week.

Here are some more specific factors:


The Material

Typically, the likes of concrete and fiberglass can be responsible for keeping septic tanks around for nearly fifty years. Steel tanks will likely rust out much sooner. They’ll still last a long time, but nowhere near the other two.


Things like the soil’s acidity and the quality of the External link opens in new tab or windowseptic tank itself affect how quickly a steel tank will rust out. After fifteen years or so, the baffles and tank bottoms are likely to be completely gone. The covers will also rust out in this time. These issues can be seen to by a professional technician during inspections, and the problems can be put to rest.


Concrete tanks have, as previously mentioned, a much longer lifespan and can last fifty years (or even much longer if properly installed and cared for). They’ll also last longer if they’re designed expertly and created with the highest quality of material. Much like with steel, the baffles and components will falter much quicker if it is built with much poorer-quality.


What It Contains

The lifespan of your septic tank can be increased or decreased by your own behavior. For instance, you need to ensure you’re not flushing any chemicals or non-biodegradable materials as they’ll directly affect things.


The Workload It Undergoes

If you use it a lot, then you’re going to lower its life expectancy – as you’d expect. Using it less will prolong it. You’ll require less maintenance and save money in the process.


How Often Is It Serviced?

If you make sure your tank is serviced regularly enough, then you’re going to increase the lifespan. Checking up on its health is the best way to keep things going. Maintenance is more than just having the tank pumped – an inspection and fixes to other problem areas of the tank should also take place, such as the removal of scum.