Septic system age determination

This article series describes the typical life expectancy of septic systems and various common septic system components.

Septic System Age Determination

2018/05/25 Marie-Josée Raymond said:

Own house at 3397 Kentucky Lane, Navan, Ontario. Would like to know age of my septic tank and field.

This Q&A on septic system age were posted originally at ARTICLE INDEX to SEPTIC SYSTEMS

Reply:

Marie,

Thank you for asking an excellent question: how can I determine the age of my septic system, tank, drainfields?

On site your septic contractor can inspect the accessible septic system components: the septic tank access port, cleanout cover, tank materials, piping materials (PVC, cast iron, terra cotta, ORANGEBURG PIPE septic lines as the type of piping, septic tank materials (steel, concrete, plastic, fiberglass, home-made) also give date information.

Watch out: a homeowner who is not trained to do so should never dig up, open, nor try to enter old septic system components on your own.

There is risk of death from leaning over (methane asphyxiation) or falling into a septic system. Keep people away from suspected areas of unknown septic tanks.

The life expectancy of a septic tank depends largely on its materials, while the life of septic system piping depends largely on the risk of damage from vehicle traffic, clogging by roots, or flooding by groundwater.

The life expectancy of a drainfield varies widely by installation type (conventional soil absorption system versus a sand bed filter, for example), by soil conditions (clay or rock or sand), and importantly, by the frequency of maintenance and cleaning which has been performed on the septic system.

If you cannot find the septic system and know nothing about it or its history, start by checking the age of the building and its plumbing system with the premise that for most sites the septic tank and fields won't be older than those.

See AGE of a BUILDING, HOW to DETERMINE

See PIPING in BUILDINGS, CLOGS, LEAKS, TYPES for help in identifying types of drain pipe materials: lead, cast iron, galvanized steel, PVC, Orangeburg pipe (which is not actually orange).

Then see PLUMBING MATERIALS & FIXTURE AGE where we describe one of the older septic piping materials used in drainfields: orangeburg pipe. ORANGEBURG PIPE was first used in Boston in 1865 but was not used in septic drain fields (probably) until the late1940's through the 1960's.

Or to find the septic tank see SEPTIC TANK, HOW TO FIND

Next check with your local building or health department to ask if plans for your septic system were ever filed. If so get a copy of those.

The septic system plans filed as part of a permit process may not accurately describe exactly what septic system was finally installed but you'll be in the right date range.

For Ontario residents the Ottowa government (that's in your immediate area) also publishes information on septic systems, but actual site approvals and plans for septic systems in Ottowa are managed by the Ottawa Septic System Office (link is external) at 613-692-3571 or toll free at 1-800-267-3504 ext.1129 Website: www.rvca.ca/osso/index.html

Also check with local septic contractors or best, septic tank pumping companies to ask if they have records of having serviced your property's septic system. [If the septic tank was never pumped or serviced or if nobody knows where it is, it's a reasonable assumption that the system has no predictable remaining life]

For details on how a septic tank is inspected, including the tank location, size, type, materials, condition,

see SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION PROCEDURE

At CESSPOOL AGE ESTIMATES we give examples of using materials of construction and other clues to estimate the age of a cesspool. I have not tried to do the same thing for conventional septic systems that use a septic tank and drainfield.

More help on septic system age is at these two articles

SEPTIC LIFE EXPECTANCY

SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LIFE

 

Reader Comments & Q&A

On 2021-05-17 by (mod) - what kind of drain field uses 12 to 18 inch section if pipe held together with tar paper?

@Michelle,

It's described at

https://inspectapedia.com/Design/Dream-Home-Chapter-13-Septic.php - SEWER PIPE & SEPTIC TANK & DRAINFIELD BUILD & INSTALL

On 2021-05-17 by Michelle

no we have that too but these are like clay or something and they are 12 inch to 18 inch section and at the contection point they dont like fit inside of the other they just butt up to each other and are wrapped in like a tar paper just at the seams

On 2021-05-15 by (mod)

@Michelle,

I think you were talking about Orangeburg pipe which was a black perforated pipe used in septic drain Fields. Please see the description app

https://inspectapedia.com/plumbing/Orangeburg-Pipe.php

ORANGEBURG PIPE

On 2021-05-15 by Michelle

Hi can you help me? I am wondering what kind of drain field uses 12 to 18 inch section if pipe held together with tar paper?

On 2021-04-09 by (mod)

@George,

I can't say what someone is likely to have installed in terms of number of lines, that's probably going to be dependent on not only the anticipated level of usage but also the soil conditions such as percolation rate and the amount of space available.

I point out that the size of the septic tank is inadequate by current standards and the Orangeburg pipe that you describe would certainly be something that you would assume is no longer functional. The bottom line is you probably need an entire septic system tank and drainfield.

On 2021-04-09 by George

Our house was originally a seldom used cottage. I feel the septic system is likely as old as the house (Early 1970s) as it's a concrete tank, about 600 gallon. The piping I can see is Orangeburg, no distribution box, just a T about 6 feet from the tank.
Inspection camera runs into roots about 25 feet in one direction and roots about 10 feet the other way.
I feel it only has the two lines as it was a simple cottage. Is this likely? Given the age and nature of the property?

On 2020-12-26 - by (mod) -

Steven

Thank you that's an interesting question about how we might know the age of a septic tank at a property. Septic tanks unlike some other products are not normally date stamped and don't have a product ID code or data tag. So what you're left with is searching for the records of plumbing and septic work at your property from the time that the property was first constructed and forward from the date. You might find for example filed plans for the installation of a septic system. You might also find that some of the local excavator or septic contractors in your area have records of having worked at your site.

On 2020-12-26 by Steven

How can I tell the age of my septic tank?

On 2020-12-03 by (mod) - Searching for location and access to my septic tank.

Karl:

Watch out if that's an old steel septic tank cover the danger is that the tank is rusted and could collapse. If you fall in you could be badly injured or even die. While exploring take great care to keep people away from that spot.

If that is around steel septic tank the cover usually were simply lifted off by digging slightly past the perimeter of the tank lid. In addition to the fall in hazard you will often find on an old tag that the baffles have rusted off and the tank is no longer functional. It may need to be emptied and replaced. Let me know what you find

Also see

SEPTIC TANK, HOW TO FIND

On 2020-12-03 by Karl

Searching for location and access to my septic tank.

This is what I found so far. Around. Is this an access for pump out? there are no handles or anything on it. Should there be another access point? In which direction? This is a small two bedroom cottage.

On 2020-08-27 by Mar

How old is my septic ?

On 2020-07-22 - by (mod) -

Way

Try using the head image button to post a photo of the Stone cover that you were discussing and perhaps I can make a more useful comment.

On 2020-07-22 by waybe

I have an old stone cover about 3 ft across and 6 inches in depth...iit is stone with 4 holes in the middle and it is hand crafted ...is it early septic or what could it mbe?
wayne

On 2020-03-27 - by (mod) -

Lisa
See the help given at

SEPTIC or SEWER CONECTION

You can also use the search box on any of our pages to search for our articles on how to find the well and on Septa component location

On 2020-03-27 by Lisa Heavel

I need to know when septic and well water was put in a house

On 2019-08-31 - by (mod) -

Thanks for an interesting question Anne.

As Mark Cramer, my Tampa expert says, .... it depends.

Close to exactly what septic component, and in what condition, and after how long a period of disuse of the septic system.

Worst case: a sewage pit, seepage pit, cesspit, or outhouse can hold fecal waste for decades as it is so highly concentrated in one spot with little water, oxygen, bacteria or dilution.

Best case: a conventional septic drainfield that was not in failure (dubious) and that was abandoned 25 years ago or more - probably no longer a meaningful or significant source of e-coli.

Use the ARTICLE INDEX to find our page on SEPTIC CLEARANCE DISTANCES to see details.

On 2019-08-31 by Anne

How close to an abandoned septic system can I place a well?

On 2019-06-29 - by (mod) -

It's possible that the d-box was put at that depth in order to drain to it by gravity. You can take a look at the distances involved and calculate the drop per foot.

On 2019-06-28 by Larry

Hi: I found out the the distribution box of my septic system is 6 feet deep under the surface. This is a lot more deeper than the normal 2-4 feet range. Does that mean the drain field is also a lot deeper under the surface than normal? I do not have any document for the system so I assume this is a very old because my city keeps record since 80s. Any ideas the D-box and drain are so deep under the surface? Thanks a lot!

On 2019-06-28 by Alex

Thank you for your informative response, have a great day!

On 2019-06-25 - by (mod) -

For factory purchased septic tanks it was coming to install units as small as 500 gallons in the 40s 50s and early 1960s. My opinion is that you are perhaps not focused on the substance of issue which is that any system that's that old would be considered to be at or near the end of its predictable life in any case.

It seems to me a consult with your lawyer is in order. I would expect your attorney to say that as long as you disclose the nature of what's there for buried components you're not making any representation about their future usability.

Any Savvy buyer of a property with a septic system would have an independent inspection and perhaps testing performed.

Even if those don't disclose an immediate problem, if a system is small and old and I were advising a buyer I would recommend that they plan in their budget to be able to replace the system.

Worrying about who's going to buy your house and how many people will live there is likely to cause more trouble than it's worth. Very often you'll find that what you care about is not what your buyer cares about anyway.

On 2019-06-25 by Alex

Hello I want to sell my house with owner financing the house was built in 1940 (700 square feet) has 2 bedrooms and has a septic tank, my concern is that I want to limit the number of occupants to avoid overflowing the septic tank.
We currently live in house 2 adults and in the past 10 years we haven't had any problems, so if a family of 5 buy the house buy the house and they find a problem they will sue me stating that this house have many health problems and I will have pay for it.

I have contact the local health department to make sure if I can limit the quantity of people to 3 and this is the answer they gave me:

Septic systems have typically been sized for 2 people per bedroom. The sizing requirements from the time your home was built were smaller than they are today.

My question is the following, do you know what size a septic tank was in 1940? and for how many people could be the capacity?

Thank you very much. Alex

On 2018-09-08 - by (mod) -

Groundwater or surface runoff can leak into a septic tank or holding tank if the pipes entering or exiting such tanks are not properly sealed or if the tank lid or tank access ports and risers are not properly sealed.

On 2018-09-07 by Pat H

Can water from a heavy rain or rising lake water get into a holding tank. How well are they sealed from outside ground water?

Question: septic system installation in Newfoundland, Canada lasted 60 years

(May 15, 2014) Art Mercer said:
In 1958, as a boy of 14 years, I helped my father install a concrete septic tank for our home in Newfoundland, Canada

. We dug a septic field behind the house (rural property) using 8" pieces of aluminum piping. This septic system has been used constantly since that date (over 60 years) and it has never been opened. Later this week my brother (who was not even born then)will switch the system to the local town septic system. I wish my father was alive to realize the feat that he acomplished so many years ago.

Reply:

Thanks for the success-report Art. Indeed there are some old, still functioning septic system drainfields. Often I see that soil properties are key in the successful disposal of effluent.

As a different data point, in 1998 I excavated a system built in 1920 that was still "functioning" supporting the home of a single elderly occupant who had observed odors around the septic tank. We found that there was no drainfield, not even a seepage pit. A short pipe exited the septic tank into the "ground" that was in this case largely gravel. Effluent was disposed-of, though the level of treatment was probably minimal.

Question: 36 year old septic systems: contractor wants too much to do a repair

Oct 22, 2014) Sherry Lewis said:
My septic system is 36 years old. It is concrete (if the stand pipes are concrete I assume the tank is), it has two tanks (I'm told the second is an overflow tank), the soil in my area is mostly sandy (nearby ocean) and for about 30 years I have been the sole occupant in my house. Plus, I use the disposal only for the smallest bits of food that slip into it, don't put anything in the system other than water, soap, the slight disposal waste and toilet waste. I have the system pumped on the average of every other year.

Recently when it was pumped I had called them due to air bubbling out of my downstairs toilet and a friend suggesting that spelled trouble and a full tank. It was at the 2 year mark. The pumper fellow said primarily due to the age of the system, it was probably due for replacement, either entirely or at a minimum the leach field.
#1) Is age alone the primarily indicator for replacing the system?
#2) When talking to a contractor to do the job he said it would require a lift station due to my high ground water (8'). He said that if the sewage pipes in my house were located somewhat high in the ground the lift pump would not be required, however, a high water table issue has inundated over 50 homes barely 5 miles away and indications are that "it" (the high water) is moving my way.

He did recommend the lift station without coming to check my current sewage pipe depth and I'm going to call him to do so rather than him assuming they will not accommodate a standard system as I have now. I don't know what the water table level was when the house was built but I suspect a was a bit lower than 8'. Finally, the fellow who came to dig the test hole, looking for the water level, indicated an approximate cost of $7,000 or a touch more if I declared 4 rather than 3 bedrooms. The contractor who will do the replacement work indicated a price right at DOUBLE that amount due to the lift station! That seems obscenely high! Please help! Thank you very much.

Reply:

x

Question: warn home buyers to inspect the septic system

(Feb 13, 2015) Harry Ford said:
You should probably advise the new home owner to have the septic inspected before they purchase the home.

Reply:

We agree completely Harry.

See HOME BUYERS GUIDE to SEPTIC SYSTEMS

and we also offer septic system advice for people selling a home

at HOME SELLERS GUIDE to SEPTIC TESTS

Question: remove a tree from the septic tank?

9 April 2015 Ron Lee said:
Would you remove an Ash tree from a nearby septic tank?

Reply:

Yes

An detailed guide is at PLANTS & TREES OVER SEPTIC SYSTEMS

...

Continue reading  at SEPTIC LIFE EXPECTANCY or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• CESSPOOL AGE ESTIMATES
• SEPTIC LIFE EXPECTANCY
• SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LIFE
• SEPTIC LIFE MAXIMIZING STEPS
• SEPTIC FIELD FAILURE CAUSES
• SEPTIC SYSTEM AGE
• SEPTIC TANK, HOW TO FIND

Suggested citation for this web page

SEPTIC SYSTEM AGE at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to SEPTIC SYSTEMS

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