How long does a septic system last, and how to maintain it as the optimum usage? Several factors can affect how long a septic system will last. Learn how you can extend the life expectancy from the septic system below.
Septic system life expectancy
In general, the septic system life expectancy can last anywhere from 15 to 40 years. The wide range of life expectancy depends on many different factors that can determine how long a septic system lasts.
The life expectancy from the septic system depends mostly on the material. The life of the septic system piping depends mostly on the risk of damage that comes from clogging by roots, traffic of vehicles, and the flood by groundwater.
How Long Does a Septic System Last?
The life expectancy from septic system type
- Steel septic tank. For steel septic tanks, rusts eventually depend on the soil’s acidity and septic tank quality. The standard steel septic tank can last 15 or 20 years or older.
- Concrete septic tank. A concrete septic tank can last 40 years and forever if it has high constructed well and quality material. Poor concrete and acidic soil quality can cause the baffles to septic tank in concrete and its component fails.
- Drain field. The conventional drain field septic tank’s life expectancy depends on the drain field size, usage level, and soil percolation rate.
5 things to make it last more
Some factors affect how long do septic tanks last that completely are out of control. But there are some things that homeowners can do to help prolong life expectancy from the septic tank system. These factors are:
- Design and quality of the septic tank. The location, condition of soil around, and the installation will contribute to your septic system’s lifespan, including the septic tank. The overly wet location or the one prone to flooding can impact clogging into the leach field. When the soil condition is poor, the leach field’s high water or surface drainage also threatens the septic tank lifespan. Worst, poor installation of septic tank installation will negatively affect the septic tank’s lifespan.
- Septic tank material. Septic tanks that made from concrete, fiberglass, and plastic can last for 40 years more. The steel tank can rust sooner than you expect.
- Workload system from the septic tank. In general, the septic system’s overall workload and the leach field will affect how the septic tank will last.
- What goes toward to septic system? Flushing only water and waste and avoiding chemicals and non-biodegradable material can reduce the waste build-up amount inside of your septic tank and make it last longer.
- The septic tank is pumping and maintained. Get routine maintenance to prevent it from building up and clogging into your septic system. Getting regular inspection while pumping out the septic system will add to how long a septic system lasts because the professional can detect any minor when it appears.
