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If you don’t have adequate access to the mains sewage system but are able to accommodate a safe drainage area, a septic tank system is the ideal solution to deal with your water waste. It is important that your septic system is installed properly and well-maintained to ensure that it is as effective as possible and lasts as long as possible.
Problems with septic tanks can cause unpleasant smells at best, and damage the local environment, contaminate rivers and lakes, and endanger public health at worst. It is vital, therefore, that if you have a septic wastewater system, you ensure that it is properly looked after.
Optimal septic tank maintenance is key to extending its lifespan, which typically ranges from 15 to 40 years. Proper care helps prevent issues like leaks, cracks, and blockages. Regular maintenance can significantly prolong its life. In cases where neglect has led to severe problems beyond repair, a replacement septic tank might become necessary.
Understanding the life expectancy of your septic tank and knowing how long it is likely to last is an important factor to consider. By knowing when it is likely to need to be replaced, you can look for signs of failure and ensure that you are protecting yourself and the local environment.
The average life expectancy of a septic tank
The life expectancy of a septic tank can vary according to many different factors, from the environment that it is being kept in, to the material that it is made from. Generally speaking, a septic tank should last for between about 15 and 40 years.
For more information about how long your septic tank is expected to last, you should speak to the people who installed it for you or a professional wastewater company.
If you are moving into a house with a septic tank system, you should get an official Homebuyer Drainage Survey carried out. This will give you all of the information that you need about the age of the tank and how long it is likely to last.
Factors that influence the lifespan of a septic tank
There are several factors that can affect the lifespan of a septic tank. These can include:
How it is installed – You should get your septic tank installed properly, by a professional company, to ensure that it lasts for as long as possible.
Emptying and cleaning – It is important that you empty and clean your septic tank on a regular basis. By ensuring that it is clean and never over-filled, you can help to make sure that you are not putting any extra strain on the system and reducing the risk of backup that can cause septic tank failure. It is recommended that you check with a professional company to find out how often you should empty and clean your septic tank.
Use – The amount of time that your septic system is in use can also affect its lifespan. The more you use it, the lower the lifespan. Whilst it is important that you use water as you need to, being water-conscious about how much you are putting down the drain and how often can have an impact on how long your septic tank will last. The less frequent, more spread out it is, the longer the tank will last.
What is going into it – You can help your septic tank to last for longer by ensuring that the right things are being put into it. Try to avoid flushing sanitary products, baby wipes, nappies, and chemicals down the toilet, and limiting it to biodegradable items and water.
Servicing – Periodic servicing of your septic system is also important in both ensuring that it is working at an optimum level (and, therefore, reducing the risk of problems) and also spotting minor issues that can escalate to larger ones. This can help to ensure a longer life expectancy of your septic system.
Material – The material that your septic tank is made from can also have an impact on its lifespan. Steel tanks, for example, can be affected quickly by corrosion and have a relatively short lifespan, whereas plastic and concrete septic tanks are usually sturdier and have a longer life expectancy.
Location – The location of your septic tank can also impact how long it lasts. A professional company should be able to advise you on the best place to put it, but you should try to avoid areas with acidic soil, where there is excess water, or that are close to rivers and streams.
