Septic system life expectancy questions and answers.:

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

Septic System Component Life Expectancy FAQs

These questions and answers about the life of a private septic system (tank and drainfields, absorption beds, etc.) were posted originally at SEPTIC LIFE EXPECTANCY - be sure to read that article.

Photo: depressions that mark septic absorption bed (leach field) trenches may be more visible under light snow cover.

[Click to enlarge any image]

On 2017-08-29 by (mod) - future life of a 75 year old septic system

Bob,

On a system installed 75 years ago I wouldn't bet a dime on anything.

But you should be able to at least find the septic tank, inspect itns size and condition, and from there snake out the pipe exiting the tank to find the D-box (If there is one) and from there snake further to find the drainfield (if there is one).

A couple of small test excavations in those areas might tell you what was installed and whether or not it's collapsed or blocked by roots or silt.

It would be prudent to include in your economic plan a complete septic system installation. To estimate that you need perc tests, plot plan, available space, and basic design.

On 2017-08-28 by Bob

Hello! We are considering buying a vacant lot that had a concrete septic system installed in 1953 and apparently upgraded in 1981. No home has ever been built on the property, so the septic system has never actually been used.

Would you anticipate that the septic system would be usable if a new home were now built on that property? (We're trying to evaluate the logistics and costs associated with developing the lot. If we'd need to replace the septic system, that's something we'd want to keep in mind before we made an offer on the property.) Thank you!

On 2017-06-24 by LYNND

Can you comment on what a typical "Septic Cert" ought to include in a real estate transaction?

I recently learned that while a Septic Cert will pump the tank, ID the tank material, determine the location and overall capacity, it is not a "system wide" inspection.

The condition of the tile beds and leach lines was not described. Moreover, the Septic Sketch that was provided with the Septic Cert did not mark the location of the inlet (for pumping the tank), which one might expect as a new (incoming) homeowner — so as not to inadvertently damage, pave over or incur the cost of digging/locating to pump the system out in the future!

Finally, it's hard to believe that with a tree four-foot in girth not 8' off the tank location and numerous other trees in the yard, no comment (or recommendation) was made with respect to tree roots. With a concrete tank of nearly 40 years and a tree probably about the same age in proximity, are tree roots just not problem or should I be correct in suspecting that my "Septic Cert" is a load of you-know-what?

On 2017-06-04 by (mod) - pumping a septic tank won't fix a failed septic drainfield

Fed,

Unfortunately, pumping a septic tank will never fix a failed septic system. If sewage is Flowing to the surface of the neighbor's yard or to your area from the neighbors septic system then there is at the very least a block or broken pipe, and possibly a failed septic drain field.

Pumping cannot correct those conditions. An on-site septic expert would need to evaluate the system and Define what repair or replacement tasks are needed.

However in most communities it is illegal as well as a health hazard everywhere when sewage is being discharged to the ground surface. That's a problem that you can take to your health department.

On 2017-06-04 by Fed Up neighbor

My neighbors are septic tank is slam for and has been for over 6 months now they refuse to get it pump now raw sewage that started seeping up from the ground and I still refuse to have it pump or do anything about it is this a safety or health risk for me and my animals

On 2017-03-22 by (mod) - what's the life of a septic tank?

Harold,

I've tried to give a fact and data-based answer to septic tank life in the article SEPTIC LIFE EXPECTANCY - as brilliant Florida Instructor Mark Cramer says ... it depends.

Please take a look through the article above, then ask me again if that's unclear or seems incomplete.

Thanks

Daniel

On 2017-03-22 by harold turner

What is the life expectancy of a septic tank?

On 2017-03-18 by (mod) - which septic tank material is best?

Peter

I don't have an opinion nor research that argues that one tank material is always superior to the other.

Both have advantages: strength of tank and cover if exposed to traffic vs light-weight ease and economy of transport vs shape and ease of cleaning vs. need to anchor so an empty tank won't float-up out of the ground;

A lightweight tank would be first choice where it's difficult to get the tank to the spot where it's needed.

On 2017-03-17 by Peter

Which is a better tank material concrete or poly. No traffic over tank, concern is tree roots for adjacent property.

On 2017-02-20 by (mod) - identify the nitrogen amounts reduced by pumping a septic tank on a regular interval.

This research might be of use, John.

I suspect that the type of septic system, tank, disposal field have a domimant effect on nitrogen levels.

Aravena, Ramon, M. L. Evans, and John A. Cherry. "Stable isotopes of oxygen and nitrogen in source identification of nitrate from septic systems." Groundwater 31, no. 2 (1993): 180-186.

Viraraghavan, T., and R. G. Warnock. "Efficiency of a septic tile system." Journal (Water Pollution Control Federation) (1976): 934-944.

Walker, William Gordon, J. Bouma, D. R. Keeney, and F. R. Magdoff. "Nitrogen transformations during subsurface disposal of septic tank effluent in sands: I. Soil transformations." Journal of Environmental Quality 2, no. 4 (1973): 475-480.
Walker, W. G., J. Bouma, D. R. Keeney, and P. G. Olcott. "Nitrogen transformations during subsurface disposal of septic tank effluent in sands: II. Ground water quality." Journal of Environmental Quality 2, no. 4 (1973): 521-525.

On 2017-02-19 4 by John Neddo

I am trying to identify the nitrogen amounts reduced by pumping a septic tank on a regular interval. We have 23,000 owts in our county.

On 2016-10-11 by sergioabove@gmail.com

I,m thinking about installing 2 systems of drainagepipes , 2 times 25 m.And after x years i switch from one system to the next,by closing and opening another pipe at the didsributor.My question is this , how long would it take for the biofilm to die of, or how many years would be ideal in between? Thank you.

On 2016-06-07 by (mod) - bottom drain septic tanks?

Perhaps but not that I've come across; on the face of it, as sludge settles to the tank bottom I'm not sure how well a bottom outlet would work.

There are effluent dosing systems that move clarified effluent to a drainfield from a tank bottom but that's a different design.

On 2016-06-07 by Darlene@WestFlaHomes.com

Is there such a thing as bottom drain septic tanks?

On 2015-11-14 1 by (mod) - is our 1983 septic tank in good shape?

No one can say from your etext what would be the condition of an used 1983 septic system. An onsite inspection and testing are what's needed.

Watch out, the system could be fatally dangerous if someone falls in.

Ask a septic contractor to inspect the tank and tell you it's materials, condition, safety. Then you know about half of the system. The drainfield remains inknown.

On 2015-11-14 by Rannae ridgway

We have a septic tank that has set empty since 1983. Is it still in good shape?

On 2015-07-19 by Anonymous

interesting information

On 2015-04-12 by (mod) -

Use the "Click to Show or Hide FAQs" link just above to see recently-posted questions, comments, replies,

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.

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

On 2013-03-18 by (mod) - drains are slow

Anonymous,

The 6-inch pipes you describe may be access ports to a septic tank, vents, or drain line cleanouts; in all events you are describing a backup that needs onsite diagnosis. a

In our ARTICLE INDEX click on CLOGGED DRAIN DIAGNOSIS

On 2013-03-18 by Michael Dent

my septic system is very sluggish. if you take a bath it will back up slightly into the the bath tub in the basement and slowly go down the drain. the basement bas\th tub is only 17 feet from the inlet pipe entrance to the septic tank. its a good thing i am the only one here.

i live in the country and have a typical sand filtrer system which is 29 years old. do i have to replace my drainfield?

On 2012-09-12 by Anonymous

i have two 6 inch round pvc coming out the ground when i flush my toilet it backes up water out of the pvc only one side any tips how i can fix please help

On 2012-07-15 by (mod) - can neighbor septic contractor dump onto my property?

Bo, certainly not. No one working on property belonging to their client "A" should enter, move across, much less place any materials on the property of a second party "B" without first asking and obtaining permission.

It's called "trespassing" and worse, depending on just what was done and where the contractor drove, there is risk of actual damage to the property of "B". If you are "B" you should first go to "A" to ask that any problems be corrected.

On 2012-07-15 by bo

can a the guy replacing the leach field by law put old leach field pipe and dirt and sand on the owners land?

On 2012-06-26 by (mod) - The septic system is under the deck which is next to an inground pool

Christine, the description of the system you provided made me nervous. There are just too many snafus implied.

On 2012-06-26 by (mod) - a 50 year old septic that works is possible but uncommonb

Ken, while I've seen a working septic system that was more than 50 years old, it was an unusual case.

I think it's hard to make any promises especially because of wide variations in soil conditions as well as quality of original installation. Even well-maintained, eventually the biomat that forms around conventional septic drainfield trenches clogs soils there and begins to slow effluent water absorption into the surrounding soils.

At a property I repaired, there had been NO working drainfield for years, but no evidence of failure. The soil at that home is a mix of sand and gravel. A six foot pipe extended from the septic tank outlet into the soil and ended there. No drainfield, no seepage pit was working. The home was occupied by a solitary elderly lady who used little water.

But the night after a new family moved in and did two loads of laundry, water was standing in the yard.

Therefore a prudent home buyer of a property that has a 30 year old septic system would

- inspect and test the system before purchase

- check with the septic pumping company about signs of trouble during pumpout: lost baffles, water backflow into the tank, abnormal levels in the tank, tank damage, materials used, etc.

- budget to permit septic system repairs at any time after moving in

- in absence of any sign of trouble, keep pumping the tank on schedule and keep your money in the bank.

On 2012-06-25 by Ken

Hi, ive just looked at a custom house built 30 years ago. The home has original septic still in place (unsure if its steel or concrete-will ask).

The original owner designed this house and still lives there. They are very meticulous with maintaining all areas of the house and they do have the septic pumped out on schedule often with records.

I would imagine as clean as the house is most non septic friendly items did not make it to the drains often. you state any system over 20 years old could likely need costly attention at any moment. what do you feel the maximum life is for a well kept septic field? Thanks

On 2012-05-11 by Christine - The septic system is under the deck which is next to an inground pool

Hi, I'm not sure if I have enough information for you to answer my questions but we are interested in buying a 47 year old house that has a " modified" septic system. The system has not been inspected yet but we will do that before going ahead with any purchase.

The modified system is a 3 chamber system, is this something that would have been available 47 years ago and if not, is a multi chambered system a good system. We are a family of 4 and would have one adult renting the basement suite in this house. Currently there is a family of 3 with one adult renting.

The septic system is under the deck which is next to an inground pool (the pool was installed when the house was built).

This is apparently not the original site of the septic system due to moving of the driveway after converting the garage to a room in the house. But now I think that part of the septic system is under the new garage (which isn't that new-probably 15 years old).
Any advice?

On 2012-01-30 by Eileen Greco

my house is only 10 years old and the douser tank is leaking. It is made of cement. I would have thought that it would have last more than 10 years. Do I have to replace the douser tank or can it be repaired

On 2011-12-05 by John

I have a septic system that was installed in 1995 when we built our house. I recently had a problem that turned out to be associated with the concrete D-box. The D-box had basically broken down and begun to fall apart to the point where it could no longer function correctly.

I was told part of the reason for such rapid deterioration was because of the salt used to flush out our water softener. When the softener back flushes three times a week that water drains into the septic system. This salt caused the D-box to break down and to a lesser degree appears to be having an effect on the concrete septic tank.

Now i am wondering if this water is having the same effect on the concrete leaching chambers in my leach field.

On 2011-10-26 by (mod) - in judging the condition and remaining life of a septic system, experience is invaluable.

M

I agree with you that in judging the condition and remaining life of a septic system, experience is invaluable.

There are just too many variables that one might notice at a particular property and that may not be listed in any single text or article on septic system inspection.

That's a reason that we welcome comments and suggestions at InspectAPedia - working together and sharing our experience makes us smarter than any individual working alone. Particularly this is the case in fields of construction where often people had a tradition of not wanting to share information, thinking it was their competitive edge. As a result some of us just kept making the same mistakes over and over.

Chuck: I'd contact your local septic installers, excavators, or most likely, pumpers, to see what professional association is closest to you - they'll have a list of schools that are most accessible.

On 2011-10-26 by mod -

you need many years experience to install and inspect septic. there may be classes, but on site is a whole different story

On 2011-06-25 by chuck - Septic School in B.C., the Okanagan

Sorry that was in B.C., the okanagan to be exact?

is there a school or course that you have to take to be certified to install septic systems?

...

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

Or see SEPTIC LIFE EXPECTANCY FAQs-2 - more-recent questions & answers about the life of septic tanks, drainfields, soakaways, leach fields

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• SEPTIC LIFE EXPECTANCY
  • BIOMAT FORMATION & SEPTIC LIFE
  • PLANTS & TREES OVER SEPTIC SYSTEMS
  • SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LIFE
  • SEPTIC FIELD FAILURE CAUSES
  • SEPTIC SYSTEM AGE
• SEPTIC LIFE MAXIMIZING STEPS

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