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Septic System Life Expectancy
& the role of septic system maintenance
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InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.
Septic system life expectancy: this document describes the typical life expectancy of septic systems and various common septic system components. 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.
Understanding the proper procedures for septic tank care, septic tank cleaning frequency, and other septic tank maintenance chores,
will permit the owner of a home with an onsite septic system to maximize the life of the system and to assure that it is
working properly.
Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.
Septic System Component Life Expectancy
How Quickly Does A Septic System Fail?
Readers should see SEPTIC LIFE MAXIMIZING STEPS, and see Septic Tank Pumping Procedure for a detailed step by step photo-illustrated guide to find, pump and clean a septic tank.
The life of the entire septic septic system depends on the following factors:
- Septic Tank Pumping Frequency: providing you are starting with a functional and reasonably-designed septic
system, the most significant step you can take to extend the septic system life is to have the septic tank
cleaned or "pumped" on schedule.
See TANK PUMPING SCHEDULE
for a table that determines how often a particular septic tank needs this service.
- How the Septic System is Used: including the wastewater usage level and what materials are flushed
down the septic system drains. Conserving water reduces the load on the absorption field. Avoiding flushing
chemicals or items that don't biodegrade reduces the solid build-up rate in the septic tank.
See "Don't Flush these things into a septic system"
for a list of what's ok and what's not ok to put into septic tanks and building drains.
- Soil Conditions such as the soil percolation rate and the amount and level of ground water or surface
water that affect the soil absorption area or drain field.
- Septic Tank Materials: a steel septic tank rusts away, first losing its baffles (which lead to
drain field clogging) and eventually rusting at its bottom or sides. The rate of rust depends on the
soil conditions and soil acidity and other factors. A concrete septic tank can have a very long life, in excess
of 40 years, except for cases of poorly-mixed concrete or possibly acidic soils which may reduce that span.
Plastic or fiberglass septic tanks can expect to have a similar life unless they are mechanically damaged.
- Life of Special Components such as effluent pumps or septic grinder pumps, septic filters,
septic media, and sand bed filter systems often determines the need for repair of alternate-design
septic systems that use these components.
- Nearby trees or plants whose roots invade system components.
- Water & wet sites: sending surface or roof runoff into a drainfield area or locating a septic soakaway bed in wet soils, near a high water table, near creeks or streams prone to flooding all mean short life as well as maybe an improper or illegal installation.
- Water usage in the building: tThe level of water usage in a building also affects the drainfield and unusual or abnormal levels of water usage, such as constantly running toilets (TOILET RUNS CONTINUOUSLY) or a water softener stuck in "backwash" cycle, can saturate a septic drainfield and cause it to fail. And a water softener or water conditioner that is improperly adjusted and puts too much salt into the water also is harmful to the drainfield.
See HOW SOFTENERS WORK for details about how water softeners work.
See SOFTENER ADJUSTMENT & CONTROLS for advice on how to set the water softener timer and salt dose.
How Quickly Will the Septic System Fail if We Have One or More of the Problems Listed Above?
Septic systems (tank and absorption system, or onsite wastewater disposal systems) will
not fail immediately if they are not pumped. However, an un-maintained septic tank is no longer protecting the soil
absorption field from solids. Continued neglect shortens the drain field life and
may result in system failure and even require complete replacement of the soil absorption
field. In some cases, site limitations may make replacement of the absorption field impossible - at least impossible
using a conventional drainfield design. Alternative designs are available to solve these problems.
So provided you've addressed these factors in septic system life, how long can you expect a septic
system to last before costly repairs to the septic tank or septic drain field are required?
How Long do Individual Septic System Components like Tanks, Piping, D-Boxes, Filters or Pumps Last?
A steel septic tank will rust out on a schedule affected by soil acidity and tank steel quality and coating
integrity. A steel septic tank more than 15 or 20 years old is likely to have already rusted to the point of
having lost its baffles and perhaps having a rusted-out bottom - conditions that can be recognized during
septic tank cleaning and inspection. A steel septic tank cover lasts until some fool drives over it or it
rusts out.
A concrete septic tank can last 40 years to nearly indefinitely, though poor quality concrete or acidic ground
water may result in deteriorated baffles or tank components.
A conventional septic drain field has a varying life as a function of the soil percolation rate,
drainfield size, and usage level. I've seen a septic drainfield, a large one in good soil with a well
maintained septic tank, last for more than 50 years. I've seen a conventional septic drainfield
fail within 24 hours of first use on a new system when piping was poorly installed.
There is therefore
a very wide range of life for this component. Experience of neighbors who have similar soils and
similar systems can be helpful if you ask. In general, if I know nothing but that there is a conventional
septic drainfield or a raised bed system and it's 20 years old, I consider its forward life not
predictable and advise owners to budget for its replacement at any time.
The septic tank is only one part of an on-site wastewater system. It is designed to remove solids prior to the
effluent entering the soil absorption field, provide for the filtration, digestion of a portion of those solids, and
storage of the remaining solids. Taking care of the septic tank will, however, extend the life of the costly second
half of the onsite wastewater treatment system - the absorption system, leach field, or drainfield.
What to Do if you have just moved into a home with a septic system
If you've just moved into a home with a septic tank you may not know the size of the septic tank, its maintenance
history, or even where the septic tank is. In this case, you should have the
tank pumped and inspected. The company pumping the tank will tell you its size, age, and condition.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the life expectancy of septic systems and their individual components
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Technical Reviewers & References
Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.
- Mark Cramer Inspection Services Mark Cramer, Tampa Florida, Mr. Cramer is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors and is a Florida home inspector and home inspection educator. (727) 595-4211 mark@BestTampaInspector.com 11/06
- Arlene Puentes, a licensed home inspector, educator, and building failures researcher in Kingston, NY. 11/29/06
- The Septic System Information Website home page for this topic
- Septic Systems Inspection, Testing, & Maintenance- online textbook. Detailed how to inspect, maintain, repair information
- The Home Buyer's Guide to Septic Systems
- Septic Tank Pumping Guide: When, Why, How to pump the septic tank
- Home & Outdoor Living Water Requirements
- Septic Tank Capacity vs Usage in Daily Gallons of Wastewater Flow, calculating required septic tank size, calculating septic tank volume from size measurements
- Septic Tank/Soil-Absorption Systems: How to Operate & Maintain [ copy on file as /septic/Septic_Operation_USDA.pdf ] - , Equipment Tips, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8271 1302, 7100 Engineering, 2300 Recreation, September 1982, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfimage/82711302.pdf.
- How Big Should the Leach Field Be? - table of soil percolation rate vs. field size
- Septic System Drainfield Absorption System Biomat Formation - what leads to drain field clogging and expensive drainfield repairs
- Table of Required Septic & Well Clearances: Distances Between Septic System & Wells, Streams, Trees, etc.
- Ten Steps to Keeping a Septic System Working, suggestions from the U.S. EPA, edits and additions by DJF
- Pennsylvania State Fact Sheets relating to domestic wastewater treatment systems include
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-161, Septic System Failure: Diagnosis and Treatment
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-162, The Soil Media and the Percolation Test
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-l64, Mound Systems for Wastewater Treatment
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-165, Septic Tank-Soil Absorption Systems
- Document Sources used for this web page include but are not limited to: Agricultural Fact Sheet #SW-161 "Septic Tank Pumping," by Paul D. Robillard and
Kelli S. Martin. Penn State College of Agriculture - Cooperative Extension, edited and annotated by
Dan Friedman (Thanks: to Bob Mackey for proofreading the original source material.)
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Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
 The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
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- Inspecting Septic Systems: Online Book, Inspection, Test, Diagnosis, Repair, & Maintenance: our Online Septic Book: Septic Testing, Loading & Dye Tests, Septic Tank Pumping, Clearances, details of onsite waste disposal system inspection, testing, repair procedures.
- Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies, Anish R. Jantrania, Mark A. Gross. Anish Jantrania, Ph.D., P.E., M.B.A., is a Consulting Engineer, in Mechanicsville VA, 804-550-0389 (2006). Outstanding technical reference especially on alternative septic system design alternatives. Written for designers and engineers, this book is not at all easy going for homeowners but is a text I recommend for professionals--DF.
- Builder's Guide to Wells and Septic Systems, Woodson, R. Dodge: $ 24.95; MCGRAW HILL B; TP;
Quoting from Amazon's description: For the homebuilder, one mistake in estimating or installing wells and septic systems can cost thousands of dollars. This comprehensive guide filled with case studies can prevent that. Master plumber R. Dodge Woodson packs this reader-friendly guide with guidance and information, including details on new techniques and materials that can economize and expedite jobs and advice on how to avoid mistakes in both estimating and construction. Chapters cover virtually every aspect of wells and septic systems, including on-site evaluations; site limitations; bidding; soil studies, septic designs, and code-related issues; drilled and dug wells, gravel and pipe, chamber-type, and gravity septic systems; pump stations; common problems with well installation; and remedies for poor septic situations. Woodson also discusses ways to increase profits by avoiding cost overruns.
- Country Plumbing: Living with a Septic System, Hartigan, Gerry: $ 9.95; ALAN C HOOD & TP;
Quoting an Amazon reviewer's comment, with which we agree--DF:This book is informative as far as it goes and might be most useful for someone with an older system. But it was written in the early 1980s. A lot has changed since then. In particular, the book doesn't cover any of the newer systems that are used more and more nowadays in some parts of the country -- sand mounds, aeration systems, lagoons, etc.
Design Manuals for Septic Systems
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US EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual [online copy, free] Top Reference: US EPA's Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, 1980, available from the US EPA, the US GPO Superintendent of Documents (Pueblo CO), and from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse. Original source http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/625R00008/625R00008.htm Onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems,
Richard J Otis, published by the US EPA. Although it's more than 20 years old, this book remains a useful reference for septic system designers.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Program Operations; Office of Research and Development, Municipal Environmental Research Laboratory; (1980)
- Eco John® Innovative Toilet Solutions, Global Inventive Industries, Fountain Valley CA, PDF, product brochure
- "International Private Sewage Disposal Code," 1995, BOCA-708-799-2300, ICBO-310-699-0541, SBCCI 205-591-1853, available from those code associations.
- "Manual of Policy, Procedures, and Guidelines for Onsite Sewage Systems," Ontario Reg. 374/81, Part VII of the Environmental
Protection Act (Canada), ISBN 0-7743-7303-2, Ministry of the Environment,135 St. Clair Ave. West, Toronto Ontario M4V 1P5 Canada $24. CDN.
- Manual of Septic Tank Practice, US Public Health Service's 1959.
Onsite Wastewater Disposal Books
- Onsite Wastewater Disposal, R. J. Perkins;
Quoting from Amazon: This practical book, co-published with the National Environmental Health Association,
describes the step-by-step procedures needed to avoid common pitfalls in septic system technology.
Valuable in matching the septic system to the site-specific conditions, this useful book will help you install a reliable system in
both suitable and difficult environments. Septic tank installers, planners, state and local regulators, civil and sanitary engineers,
consulting engineers, architects, homeowners, academics, and land developers will find this publication valuable.
- Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, Bennette D. Burks, Mary Margaret Minnis, Hogarth House 1994 - one of the best septic system books around, suffering a bit from small fonts and a weak index. While it contains some material more technical than needed by homeowners, Burks/Minnis book on onsite wastewater treatment systems a very useful reference for both property owners and septic system designers.
- Septic Tank/Soil-Absorption Systems: How to Operate & Maintain [ copy on file as /septic/Septic_Operation_USDA.pdf ] - , Equipment Tips, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8271 1302, 7100 Engineering, 2300 Recreation, September 1982, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfimage/82711302.pdf
- Soil Percolation Tests soil perc testing guide and instructions
- Percolation Testing Manual, CNMI Division of Environmental Quality, PO Box 501304, Saipan, MP 96950
- Planting Over Septic System Component", Daniel Friedman (author/editor, InspectAPedia.com), The Innovator, Winter/Spring 2008, BCOSSA, British Columbia OnSite Sewage Association, 201-3542 Blansard St., Victoria BC V8X 1W3 Canada
- Save the Septic System - Do Not Flush These Items Down the Toilet, Daniel Friedman, InspectAPedia.com - PDF document, printable
- SEPTIC STANDARDS
- SEPTIC MAGAZINES
- Septic System Owner's Manual, Lloyd Kahn, Blair Allen, Julie Jones, Shelter Publications, 2000 $14.95 U.S. - easy to understand, well illustrated, one of the best practical references around on septic design basics including some advanced systems; a little short on safety and maintenance. Both new and used (low priced copies are available, and we think the authors are working on an updated edition--DF.
Quoting from one of several Amazon reviews: The basics of septic systems, from underground systems and failures to what the owner can do to promote and maintain a healthy system, is revealed in an excellent guide essential for any who reside on a septic system. Rural residents receive a primer on not only the basics; but how to conduct period inspections and what to do when things go wrong. History also figures into the fine coverage.
- Test Pit Preparation for Onsite Sewage Evaluations, State of Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Portland OR, 800 452-4011. PDF document. We recommend this excellent document that offers detail about soil perc tests, deep hole tests, safety, and septic design. Readers should also see Soil Percolation Tests and for testing an existing septic system, also see Dye Tests
- Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank, Bombeck, Erma: $ 5.99; FAWCETT; MM;
This septic system classic whose title helps avoid intimidating readers new to septic systems, is available new or used at very low prices.
It's more entertainment than a serious "how to" book on septic systems design, maintenance, or repair. Not recommended -- DF.
- US EPA Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems Manual Top Reference: US EPA's Design Manual for Onsite Wastewater Treatment and Disposal, 1980, available from the US EPA, the US GPO Superintendent of Documents (Pueblo CO), and from the National Small Flows Clearinghouse. Original source http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL/Pubs/625R00008/625R00008.htm
- Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook, R. Dodge Woodson. This book is in the upper price range, but is worth the cost for serious septic installers and designers.
Quoting Amazon: Each year, thousands upon thousands of Americans install water wells and septic systems on their properties. But with a maze of codes governing their use along with a host of design requirements that ensure their functionality where can someone turn for comprehensive, one-stop guidance? Enter the Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook from McGraw-Hill.
Written in language any property owner can understand yet detailed enough for professionals and technical students this easy-to-use volume delivers the latest techniques and code requirements for designing, building, rehabilitating, and maintaining private water wells and septic systems. Bolstered by a wealth of informative charts, tables, and illustrations, this book delivers:
* Current construction, maintenance, and repair methods
* New International Private Sewage Disposal Code
* Up-to-date standards from the American Water Works Association
- Wells and Septic Systems, Alth, Max and Charlet, Rev. by S. Blackwell Duncan, $ 18.95; Tab Books 1992. We have found this text very useful for conventional well and septic systems design and maintenance --DF.
Quoting an Amazon description:Here's all the information you need to build a well or septic system yourself - and save a lot of time, money, and frustration. S. Blackwell Duncan has thoroughly revised and updated this second edition of Wells and Septic Systems to conform to current codes and requirements. He also has expanded this national bestseller to include new material on well and septic installation, water storage and distribution, water treatment, ecological considerations, and septic systems for problem building sites.
- The NSFC Products List has an excellent list of design manuals/modules available from their website or by telephone 800-624-8301
- Submissions welcome. send us a suggested document link or request an exchange of website links
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