Septic System Longevity

While it might not be at the top of your list of concerns, but if you are a homeowner with a septic system then you might be wondering long does your septic system last? Well on average, a new septic system will last for 20-30 years, but like most things involving your home this can change due to other factors. Your septic system longevity can be influenced by a variety of different factors. A durable septic system is one that is properly built and are well maintained over time.

So what are the main factors that affect the longevity of your septic system:

The Number of Bedrooms

There is a general assumption that at least 110 gallons of water per bedroom is used every day in the average home. This means that the more the bedrooms your home has then the more wastewater your septic system will have to handle. If your septic tank receives too much water at short intervals, the wastewater might be forced out of the septic tank and into the drain field before the bacteria finish breaking down the organic waste or before the other solids settle down. These solids might, therefore, end up in the drain field which can cause the system to fail.

The Products you Use

There are some household products that have chemical pollutants that can actually be toxic to the beneficial bacteria in the septic system. So if you are a septic system owner and continue to use such harmful products, then the septic system is probably going to be affected. This means you need to keep in mind the products that you are using in the home will directly impact the overall health and longevity of your septic system

Quality of Soil

The quality of soil will determine how durable your septic tank is. For instance, acidic groundwater can corrode a concrete septic tank. This is why an engineer should inspect your property in order to recommend the best septic system to install.

The 20-30 year period is the national lifespan average of septic systems. However, it is possible for the tanks to last for even up to 50 years or more depending on the soil conditions and how well the owner takes care of it.

Why do septic systems fail?

The septic tank is responsible for separating the solid organic waste from the liquid wastewater. Solid particles settle at the bottom of the tank forming the sludge while grease settles at the top forming the scum layer. As effluent flows from the tank into the drain field, some solids escape with the wastewater and over time, these solids cause the leach field to clog up. A clogged leach field cannot receive any more effluent and this leads to backups, odors and other characteristics of a failed septic system. Suffice it to say that all septic systems eventually fail just from normal use.