How Long Septic Tanks Should Last and Why Some Prematurely Fail

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Septic tanks are built to be powerhouses. They have to be to stand up to the daily onslaught of waste materials. Despite all they handle, they typically last two or three decades with the potential for longer. Since most families tend to relocate far sooner than that, you may never have to worry about septic tank replacement unless you buy an older home and it is now your “hot potato” to contend with. On the other hand, it isn’t impossible for relatively new septic tanks to fail and for issues to develop in the first 20 years that you didn’t see coming.

Septic tanks are built to be powerhouses

Don’t worry — you won’t need to sell your home and move every couple of years to avoid dealing with replacing septic tanks. Instead, just gain from the advice in this article about what can cause them to fail prematurely because many of the concerns are within your control.

  • Misuse- Not understanding how septic tanks work and how to use them properly is a recipe for disaster. Be sure to learn what you can and cannot introduce to the septic system so that it doesn’t fail because of misuse.
  • Inadequate Maintenance- Sometimes failing to keep up with maintenance results in little more than a backup that causes sewage damage. While that is unpleasant and costly, it isn’t as dire as replacing septic tanks. However, the added stress on the tank because it wasn’t serviced in a timely manner has the potential to damage it beyond repair and that is a game of chance you do not want to take.
  • Improper Installation- Going with the lowest bidder for the installation of septic tanks can backfire if they do not have the experience or dedication to provide a quality tank and design the system properly. An improper location, lack of attention to soil conditions, and a host of other mistakes can result in a damaged tank due to ground shifts, settling, and drainage issues.

Here at Marion Pumper, we want you to enjoy the longest life possible from your septic system. We are happy to advise you about the proper use of the system and set you up on the right maintenance plan for your situation.