How long is a septic system good for?

20-30 years
On average, a new septic system will last for 20-30 years. But this figure is not cast in stone. How long a septic system lasts is influenced by a variety of factors. For starters, durable septic systems are those that were properly built and are well maintained.

Is it bad to do 4 loads of laundry a day?

Running several loads of laundry in a row can result in solids going into your drain field. Try to only do full loads of laundry, not partial loads. If you run partial loads, remember to set the washer to the smallest option.

What happens if you drive over a leach field?

You shouldn’t even drive over the drainfield, as the vehicle can crush the drainfield lines. Heavy items cause soil compaction. Compacted soil will make it harder for the drainfield to do what it’s designed to do, which is allow wastewater to drain gradually down into the groundwater through the filter of the soil.

What happens when a septic system sits unused?

If it was installed correctly, there really isn’t much of anything that will go wrong with it from sitting – most septic problems are from using the system and not maintaining it, leading to material that should have been pumped out getting into the drain field and clogging it. If it’s not used, that won’t happen.

How long does a septic tank usually last?

A system that is only used seasonally should also have a long life. Dumping chemicals, grease, and food scraps down the drain will shorten a system’s life. The other major component is the septic tank. A well-built concrete tank should last at least 40 years.

How did the septic system change over time?

This resulted in the switch from dry wells to leach fields, using larger “footprint” areas much shallower into the ground. About the same time, most installers switched from the old style steel septic tanks to the supposedly more permanent concrete style (shown here).

Can you test an abandoned septic tank drainfield?

Septic systems that have never been used or systems that have been un-used or even abandoned for months or years present special concerns, and the evaluation of the condition of such a system requires different steps than for a working and in-use septic tank and drainfield.

When was the first concrete septic tank installed?

The tanks installed from 1960 through the mid- to late 1970s held up pretty well. Tanks installed after that decayed rapidly. In 1995, code changed to allow an open tee for an inlet, as opposed to a 90-degree elbow or plugged tee.

How old is the septic system, septic tank?

For factory purchased septic tanks it was coming to install units as small as 500 gallons in the 40s 50s and early 1960s. My opinion is that you are perhaps not focused on the substance of issue which is that any system that’s that old would be considered to be at or near the end of its predictable life in any case.

How long has modern septic services been in business?

My brother and I have owned Modern Septic Services for 25 years. We purchased the company from an uncle who started it in 1960, but was in the industry for many years prior to that. This subject has been discussed among ourselves, competitors, installers, homeowners and industry association members.