What is a septic tank?
A septic tank is an underground system that moves wastewater from the house. It’s made of up of two parts: a septic tank and the drainfield, which is also known as a soil absorption field. The tanks are usually made of reinforced concrete, polyethylene, or prefabricated fiberglass. Nowadays, many septic tanks have two compartments.
Wastewater originates from the house’s sinks, toilets, baths, laundry machines, and other utilities. When wastewater runs through the septic tank, it separates solids and liquids, also known as effluents, as well as pretreats the liquids. At this point, the wastewater is also dispersed into the drain field, where it flows through gravel and/or stone before moving into the soil. Meanwhile, the tank holds onto the solids, which collect into a sludge and does not allow it to get into the drain field.
There is also a system known as a chamber system, which does not use gravel. This is popular in areas that have a high water table and are low on gravel. The wastewater travels through a series of chambers, often times plastic, before making contact with the soil to be treated.
To better understand how a septic tank works, the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority in Texas created an interactive diagram breaking down the process.
Other types of septic tanks
The septic tank systems explained above are your typical, conventional septic tanks. However, there are alternatives septic tanks available:
- Drip distribution system: Rather than using a large mound of soil for a drain field, drip laterals are put into the top 6 inches to 1 foot of soil.
- Aerobic treatment unit: Oxygen is put into the treatment tank, increasing natural bacterial activity.
- Mound systems: Use a drain field trench and is optimal for areas with shallow soil or high groundwater.
- Recirculating sand filter system: Liquid, or effluent, flows through sand for filtration.
- Evapotranspiration system: Effluent evaporates once it reaches the drain field, never filtering through the soil or groundwater.
- Constructed wetland system: Inspired by natural wetlands, effluent is treated by microbes, plants and other materials that remove pathogens and bad nutrients.
- Cluster/community system: Multiple homes can come together to share a septic system, mostly in rural areas.
Cost of replacing a septic tank
Like any home improvement project, there isn’t a single number that you can expect to pay to replace a septic tank. It will depend on the type of septic tank you install, and of course, there is a range of prices when it comes to labor and other fees that are necessary for installing.
For a conventional septic system, the cost ranges from $2,500 to $9,000, reported Forbes. Labor will range from $3,600 to $10,000, with an average cost of $6,300.
Other things to consider when installing a new septic tank is a percolation test, which analyzes the soil and drainage in the area where the tank will be installed. A land survey is also necessary to confirm that the area where you want the septic tank is actually your property. Finally, each municipality will have different permitting requirements to follow before installation.
Selling a house with an old septic tank
Perhaps the clock is ticking on your septic system and it’s simply not in your budget to have it replaced in a timely manner.
For homebuying companies like Meridian Trust, an old septic system is not a deterrent for purchasing a property. Meridian Trust has bought homes in all sorts of conditions, from those trashed by tenants or ones with severe water damage.
We have the knowledge and skill to purchase properties in a variety of situations, and it can be done quickly, too.
To find out how much your house is worth, call Meridian Trust for a free estimate at (954) 807-9087.
Note: This guide is for informational purposes only. Meridian Trust does not make any guarantees about the sufficiency of the content in or linked to from this blog post or that it is compliant with current law. The content within this blog post is not a substitute for legal advice or legal services. You should not rely on this information for any purpose without consulting a licensed lawyer in your area.
