Your septic tank is the first stop of all water exiting your home. Waste is held in the septic tank for several days before it gets filtered into your drain field. The work of the septic tank isn’t pretty, but it’s essential for many home and business owners.
If you’re looking to replace your septic tank, you may feel a little out of your depth. How do you determine which version to replace yours with? What sizing options and shapes are available, what sort of routine septic tank services will you need moving forward and how do you determine your septic tank needs in the first place? If you’re facing any of these questions, you’re in the right spot. Read on to learn everything you need to know about buying and servicing septic tanks.
Septic tank sizes and shapes
Septic tanks are necessary elements in many different types of buildings, and therefore come in a wide variety of sizes—a small family home would naturally require a smaller septic tank than a business would. A septic tank may be made of concrete or plastic and fiberglass. The shape of the tank doesn’t necessarily impact its function, though they may come in rectangular, round or oval shapes as needed for your property.
Septic tank sizes are measured by how many gallons of sewage they can hold. The general rule of thumb is that your septic tank should hold at least two days’ worth of sewage from whatever building it is connected to. This is the time required for solid waste to completely separate from liquid waste before liquids are sent into the drain field.
Standard sizes for residential septic tanks are 1,000, 1,250 and 1,500 gallons. In the context of a family home, the size of the septic tank needed is typically determined by the number of bedrooms you have. In homes with one to three bedrooms, a 1,000-gallon tank is the minimum required size. For homes with four bedrooms, a 1,250-gallon tank is a minimum requirement. Homes with five bedrooms require, at the minimum, a 1,500-gallon tank.
Certain things increase the bedroom count in a home. For example, if you have a whirlpool or hot tub, it’s advised that you add one bedroom to your count.
Schedule septic tank services
Finding a reliable septic tank servicing company to work with before you’re faced with a problem is important for home and business owners alike. To maintain the health of your system, it’s recommended that a home’s septic system be examined by a professional at least once every three years.
Mike’s Septic & McKinley Sewer Services is here to help establish your routine septic service inspection or address more pressing, unexpected malfunctions in the operation your system. With over six decades of experience servicing commercial and residential septic systems in Minnesota, we are eager to become a trusted member of your home care team. Contact us today to discuss any septic tank services you need—we look forward to assisting you!