How Do You Know What Kind of Septic System to Install

Septic Tank Costs at a Glance

Total price: $three,900, average; $1,500-$5,000, range
Anaerobic septic tank: $2,000-$v,000
Aerobic septic tank: $ten,000-$twenty,000
Gravity septic tank: $1,500-$4,000
Mound septic tank: $10,000-$20,000
Chamber septic tank: $ane,500-$5,000
Conventional septic tank: $two,000-$5,000

The wastewater your household creates is full of dangerous bacteria. Having a fully functioning septic tank is essential to help dispose of information technology safely — and to keep information technology from backing up into your sinks and toilets.

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This May Also Interest Yous: What's the Difference Between Septic and Sewer?

Read on for everything y'all'll need to know almost septic tank replacement, including how much information technology costs.

What Is a Septic Tank?

A septic tank is an underground chamber that moderately treats domestic wastewater. It's designed to agree the wastewater long enough for solids to settle at the bottom and oil and grease to float. Liquid waste is then filtered out.

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Septic Tank?

On boilerplate, the toll of installing a new septic tank system is $3,900. The price ranges from $ane,500 to $5,000 for a typical one,250-gallon tank, which is an ideal size for a three- or four-bedroom habitation.

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This cost is inclusive of the tank itself, which costs $600 to $two,100 or more, depending on the type. Labor costs are as well included in the installation price, and usually range from $1,500 to $4,000.

Types of Septic Tank Systems

The full cost of installing or replacing your septic tank is largely dependent on the type of organization you lot choose. Here are some of the nearly common kinds of tanks:

Anaerobic Septic System

Anaerobic systems are a common pick for many homeowners because they don't crave boosted power or chemicals. An anaerobic arrangement contains bacteria that practice non need oxygen to survive. The bacteria break downwardly solid waste product and the remaining liquid waste is piped out and distributed nether the soil. The waste matter is naturally recycled as the h2o passes into the soil.

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These systems toll about $2,000 to $5,000 to install.

Aerobic Septic System

Unlike anaerobic systems, aerobic systems utilize bacteria that practise require oxygen to survive. Oxygen is pumped into the tank to activate the bacteria, which then feed on solid waste. Aerobic systems piece of work well where the soil isn't favorable for other systems and the groundwater table is high. It'due south a good pick for homes located near a bounding main.

Aerobic systems are more expensive to install. Look to pay between $10,000 and $twenty,000.

Gravity Septic System

A gravity septic system uses gravity for filtration and h2o flow. They need to be installed on a gentle slope to enable water flow without a pump.

Installation costs $i,500 to $iv,000.

Conventional Septic System

The conventional septic arrangement consists of a septic tank and a trench that acts every bit a drain field. The trench is synthetic on rock or gravel and allows water to pass through. To prevent sand or dirt from contaminating the clean soil, geofabric is installed on top of the trench. A conventional septic system needs a big infinite to operate.

These systems price between $two,000 and $5,000 to install.

Mound Septic Arrangement

If your groundwater is close to the surface, a mound septic system is the best choice. A sand mound is constructed on the septic organization area to pump wastewater from the tank into the mound in small quantities. The sand then filters the water before it gets into the soil and groundwater. This blueprint requires a lot of space.

They're besides expensive to install because a sand mound has to be constructed. Total toll ranges from $10,000 to $20,000.

Chamber Septic Organization

Chamber septic systems take recently go a popular option. They're similar to conventional systems, except plastic chambers are used in the drain field instead of gravel. These are easier to construct and take a smaller carbon footprint.

They cost $1,500 to $5,000 to install.

Septic Tank Materials

Another factor influencing cost is what your septic tank is made from. Here are some of the near common materials:

Concrete

Physical tanks are the nearly common type of septic tank because they're durable. Properly maintained, they tin last twenty to 30 years. However, concrete may scissure over time. Reinforcing the physical with rebar helps increase its strength nether pressure. Installation is more challenging, and extensive equipment is needed because of its weight. The cost for an average-sized concrete tank is $720 to $ii,050.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass doesn't weaken when used underground, and information technology's nonporous, then it won't attract algae growth. Installation is easier because the tank is light. Unlike physical, it won't aggrandize or contract, then you don't have to worry almost cracking. The average fiberglass tank costs $1,600 to $2,000.

Plastic

Plastic tanks are light and easy to install. They're also quite durable. Depending on the type, plastic tanks price $830 to $ane,400 on average.

Steel

Despite steel'southward force and durability, septic tanks made of steel can rust can collapse if not properly cleaned. As a result, some local authorities have increased regulations to discourage their utilise. You lot'll usually find them in areas where the organization already existed. If you can become one installed, they price $900 to $9,900.

What Size Septic Tank Practise Yous Need?

Septic tank size is typically adamant by the number of bedrooms your domicile has. This is used as a manner to estimate how much water volition flow through the organization daily. By and large, the larger the system, the higher the cost.

Ii Bedrooms

A two-bedroom firm requires a septic system with a minimum of a 750-gallon septic tank. However, in many municipalities, a 1,000-gallon tank is the smallest size allowed.

3 Bedrooms

A three-bedroom house will need a minimum of a 1,000-gallon water tank, which regularly handles almost 360 gallons of water per twenty-four hours.

4 Bedrooms

A four-bedroom home requires a larger tank with a minimum volume of one,250 gallons. It handles around 480 to 600 gallons of h2o per day.

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Septic Tank Repair Costs

Information technology's possible your entire septic tank doesn't need to be replaced, merely a specific part. Repairs and replacement parts can price far less than a full system replacement. These are some of the virtually common repairs:

Drain Field

Bleed fields can overload and flood, causing a backup of sewage in toilets and sinks. Bleed or leach field replacements cost $3,500 to $eleven,000.

Tank Pump

Commonly, a replacement septic tank pump costs $500 to $one,200.

Tank Filter

The tank filter is the well-nigh common replacement washed past homeowners. Information technology usually costs $230 to $280.

Tank Chapeau

Over time, concrete covers may crevice, and steel lids may rust. You can typically supercede a septic tank lid on your own for $35 to $threescore. It costs a fleck more to have it replaced by a professional.

Tank Baffle

Baffle directs wastewater through the septic tank. Expect to pay $23 to $44 for a new baffle piece.

Additional Factors to Consider

A septic tank can either be installed under or above the ground. Installing a tank underground is plush because of the digging and footing preparation involved.

Underground septic tanks crave a drain field that tin can be fitted with a soakaway. The soakaway makes the tank require less elimination because it allows for some of the wastewater to filter into the ground. This can reduce your spending over fourth dimension.

Different jurisdictions require different permits. Some require that an inspector visit and approve the site, which could entail a fee. Septic tank permits vary from state to state, but in general, you'll need to pay renewal fees upon the expiry of your permit.

How Long Does a Septic Tank Last?

A septic tank's lifespan varies depending on the material and blazon of organization installed. Clogging caused by roots or flooding from groundwater can subtract the septic tank'southward lifespan. On boilerplate, septic systems terminal 15 to xx years.

Regularly servicing your septic tank is the all-time way to increase its longevity. It'due south of import to note that servicing is more than than but pumping out the tank; it's too necessary to have a professional audit your tank regularly and perform routine maintenance.

A home programme from HomeServe can aid you lot be prepared for any unexpected maintenance and repair costs. When yous have a programme in place, you can phone call our 24/7 repair hotline whenever a covered issue arises. We'll send over one of our local, licensed and highly skilled contractors to go the job done.