Simpler life has never felt so appealing or been in higher demand. The Covid era revolutionized the way people think about working from home and downsizing life activities. Life a little removed from urban sprawl is no longer a thing in just the country songs. More space, more privacy, more peace in everyday life? Yes please. But when you live just a little off the main grid, you may encounter septic systems for the first time. Whether you own a home with a septic system already or are shopping for a county zip code, here are the things you absolutely must know about septic systems. Not dissimilar to city sewers, conventional septic systems carry gray water (laundry, sinks and dishwashers) away from the home as well as sewer (toilet waste). The difference is that instead of moving along a network of pipes to a sewer plant, septic-serviced homes move wastewater into one or multiple tanks (depending on the size of the home and usage) and eventually spread it throughout the ground. These airtight tanks buried below the ground allow sediment like toilet paper, food particles and human waste to settle at the bottom and become sludge. The water then gets pumped through a distribution box to move wastewater throughout a home’s designated drainfield (the area of ground that takes on the extra water). Class is done! Since homeowners don’t have a city or county sewer bill, the monthly savings for being off the grid can be significant. For example, if a homeowner spends $40 on average a month in sewer usage, annual savings reach almost $500. And across 30 years of homeownership, that equates to a whopping $15,000 in savings! Not bad. While these systems offer savings, that can come at a price. A septic system – like anything in a home – must be maintained. General maintenance for conventional systems includes pumping the tanks to empty the contents that could otherwise block or damage the system. Technicians also inspect the system to look for potential issues or repairs. Eric Tambourine, owner of Septic Pro of Virginia, cautions homeowners to not neglect their system. “Learn as much as you can about your system. It will save you down the road,” he says. “All systems need care and maintenance, like a car. At the first sign of trouble, don’t put it off - call a septic professional.” As a general rule of thumb, a septic inspection & pumping is completed every five years. But some suggest as little as three years or even that you can wait longer than five depending on the household usage. Expect to spend around $500-$1,000 in the Richmond area for yours. While that slashes a year or two off homeowner savings, all in all it's still not a bad deal. While septic systems do offer overall annual savings, they aren’t without their risks since - unlike Twinkies® - they do not last eternal. The various components have only so much life span just like a roof or hot water heater. Budgeting for needed repair or replacement should be factored based on the system age, design and usage. The EPA provides a variety of guidance and tips on the expected life spans of systems although a system’s actual mileage depends on materials, quality of the installation, whether systems are properly maintained and their use. A general rule of thumb is that a concrete septic tank should last fifty years or more for that matter! If they are well constructed and free of possible tree root or other damage, you may be able to ride that pony into the sunset for many more years. Yee haw! Drainfield life span can be tricky. It is possible that in 25-30 years of use, “a natural biomat that forms in the bottom of the trenches or beds can thicken and reduce the ability of the drainfield to properly discharge the wastewater into the ground” according to the EPA. But in my talks with inspectors, they see homes with drainfields from the '40's that are still chugging along with retirement nowhere in sight. Pumps and working components, while more affordable to repair or replace, do tend to go first. It’s not uncommon for these components to need replacement in 10, 20 or 30 years but they, too, can last far longer than your intended stay on the property. Should a septic system be more than 25-30 years with no previous repairs, it’s possible something could be looming on the horizon. In addition to the maintenance requirements, avoid unnecessary expenses by making sure you properly protect your system. System abuse can lead to unnecessary, costly repairs.
Know where your tank(s), piping and drainfield are located. Driving heavy equipment – even a riding a lawn mower, for example - over fragile lines can crush or crack the system. Avoid the temptation to overuse water - especially in winter months where the trees and greenery aren’t absorbing as much ground water like they do in hotter months. Your overuse can saturate and overburden the drainfield to the point it just can’t recover. You know those commercials with a backhoe digging up someone’s yard at their kid’s birthday party? That’s what we are talking about! Last, avoid sending food, paper products or hygiene items down the drains. While the septic system is ready to handle whatever human waste you can send its way, it can’t stand up to these. Overall, septic systems have their pros and cons – just like anything else. Get informed so you can make the best decisions about caring for one! Never want to miss a post? For more useful real estate tips & tricks, subscribe to our mailing list or contact us with any real estate questions. Authored By: Kat Medaries, REALTOR® MT Realty Advisors of Long & Foster Real Estate Village of Midlothian Sales, 1100 Jefferson Green Circle, Midlothian, VA 23113 Licensed to sell in the Commonwealth of VA | Equal Housing Opportunity For informational purposes only. Not intended as legal, financial, tax or credit advice.
11 Comments
4/19/2023 10:32:33 am
We're glad you elaborated on what we'd know if we have a septic tank. Next month, we're moving to our new house, but we're interested in installing a septic tank first, so we think your guide will help us know more about them. Thank you for the information about what a septic tank can and can't handle.
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5/3/2023 02:13:07 pm
I loved how you said that you can save up to $15,000 with a septic tank! My sister was at my house last night for dinner, and she was talking about how her husband wanted to get a septic system installed, but she wanted to learn more about how they would benefit them. I'll pass this information along to her so she can know more about the advantages of having a septic system.
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5/8/2023 06:53:44 pm
I appreciate you mentioning that a septic inspection and pumping are done every five years. My mom wants to have the nicest septic tank possible. I'll advise her to install a septic system, and I'll let her know that it needs to be done every five years.
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5/24/2023 08:14:29 am
Keep posting such updated, nice blog. If you are looking for the best Septic tank, pumping, then you have to check out
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5/26/2023 03:39:49 am
It's great that you explained that the life of the drain field can be tricky. My friend wants their septic tank to last long. I should advise her to hire a septic tank service to maintain her unit.
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I never took into account the fact that septic systems would usually last for 50 years or more. It seems that getting a septic tank cleaning cleaning service is a must to achieve that so that you can save money from getting a new system. And I think it will be for your safety and health as well if you invest in caring for the tank, since it can prevent leaks and other issues that can cause the contents of it to spread around the house.
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6/9/2023 10:24:06 am
It was interesting to me when you mentioned that it is important to avoid sending food and paper products down the drain into a septic system. If you send too many inappropriate objects into your septic system, would it be a good idea to have the tank pumped? I would imagine that clogs are less likely to occur if you pump these foreign objects pumped out.
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6/9/2023 10:34:37 pm
It really helped when you said that we should have a septic inspection and pumping services every give years as recommended by experts. I have to hire septic tank cleaning services now because we have been here in this house for six years. And I think not being able to do that is the cause of the odd smell spreading in our home these days.
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8/16/2023 01:18:10 pm
Great advice that you should have your septic system cleaned by a professional to avoid plumbing-related problems in the long run. I have a friend who plans to purchase a rural neighborhood next year. I will talk to him about the benefits of hiring a septic expert as an investment!
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8/22/2023 12:43:19 am
Regular Pumping: Septic tanks need periodic pumping every 3-5 years to remove accumulated solids.
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9/1/2023 08:52:04 am
Thanks for mentioning that drain fields can last 25-30 years. My husband and I moved into a home with an old septic system, and we want to get it repaired this month. I'll hire a professional this week to see what the extent of the damage is.
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