How To Safely Abandon An Old Septic Tank?
A septic tank’s lifespan should be anywhere from 15 to 40 years, depending on the material, maintenance, and usage. Concrete septic tanks tend to outlast their fiberglass and steel counterparts. If your septic tank is approaching or has exceeded its lifespan, it will need replacing to avoid issues such as backups, water contamination, and leaks. It’s important to schedule an inspection with a septic service that offers septic tank installation for professional guidance.
In this article, we will explore the top signs of an old septic tank and the effective ways to abandon an aging septic tank without harming the environment.
Effects of an Old Septic Tank
- Health risks: This is one of the biggest risks associated with an old septic tank. A failing septic tank can leak untreated sewage into the ground, contaminating your drinking water source if you have a well and nearby surface water.
- Property damage: An aging septic tank can cause sewage backups into your drains and damage your floors, walls, and belongings. While regular septic tank cleaning can keep these problems at bay for a while, an old septic tank becomes more susceptible to failure and eventually reaches a point where repairs are no longer effective.
- Environmental damage: Untreated sewage from a failing septic tank can contaminate groundwater and nearby surface water sources.
- Financial costs: An aging septic tank is a financial liability when you consider the endless problems you’ll have to deal with in the long run. Frequent septic tank repairs will put a dent in your wallet over time. A new septic tank may come with upfront costs, but it will save you a lot of money down the road.
- Legal issues: As a property owner, it is your responsibility to maintain your septic system and ensure it’s in tip-top shape. That includes scheduling regular septic tank pumping and cleaning to ensure proper functioning. If you slack on maintenance, you could find yourself on the wrong side of the law.
Top Signs Your Septic Tank Needs Replacing
Effective Ways To Abandon An Old Septic Tank
These are the most effective options for abandoning an old septic tank:
This method involves pumping out all the wastewater and sludge from the tank. Then, a professional septic company would physically remove the tank entirely from the ground. The empty tank would likely be hauled away for proper disposal at a designated facility. The resulting hole is then filled with clean soil and compacted to ensure proper settling.
Here, the tank is emptied of all wastewater and sludge. Then, it's filled with a material like sand, gravel, or some other inert material that won't compress or settle significantly over time. This method is important to ensure the structural integrity of the ground above the tank, especially in areas with vehicle traffic.
