Have you been finding yourself calling a septic professional for more than a few septic repairs in the past year or two? Is your tank being pumped more often than you seem to remember in previous years? If either of these things are true, it could be your system trying to signal to you that it’s time to consider an investment in a new tank.
For most people, septic tanks are a bit of a mystery. You know there’s one buried under your property and that it’s the center of your entire septic system… but outside of that, you don’t really have any interaction with it. Well, until it comes time to replace or repair it. This mystery leads many homeowners to ask the question: “how long is my septic tank supposed to last?”
This is actually a complicated question and one that depends on your exact situation. Take a look at some of the variables that could dictate how long your septic installation in Prior Lake, MN can and should last:
- What’s the tank made of? This is going to be the foundation for estimating the longevity of your tank. Generally, septic tanks are made of either cement or steel—cement can last up to 30 years on average, while steel will tend to see lifespans of about 15 years. The material the tank is made of will also determine what potential problems it’s liable to run into during its twilight years: corrosion, crumbling, cracking and more.
- What’s the capacity of the tank? Tanks come in all different sizes and capacities and how many gallons your tank is rated for could play a role in how long it will last you. If you have a 700 gal tank and a household of five people relying on that tank, it’s likely to see a shorter lifespan than a five-person home with a 1000 gal tank. It’s all about the wear and tear.
- What kind of maintenance schedule are you on? Maintenance and upkeep are going to play the biggest role in lengthening or reducing the lifespan of your tank. If you let routine maintenance like pumping or jetting pass you by, your tank is going to suffer the consequences. On the flip side, adherence to regular maintenance and the foresight to remedy issues before they get worse will mean extending your tank well into the latter end of the lifetime spectrum.
- Are there property concerns? Environmental detractors have been known to cause the early demise of septic tanks, even when they’re kept in the best conditions. Tree roots growing down into the tank or soil compression that stresses the tank over time will ultimately cause problems that are hard to remedy without thought to a full septic installation in Prior Lake, MN.
Keeping your tank in good condition, understanding its capacity and observing its function through the years will help keep you on a path to avoiding the need for a full replacement. And while you’ll almost invariably need one someday, the peace of mind of not needing one now is a comfort to any homeowner.