A septic tank cost involves installation, maintenance and repair which will depend on the septic tank system you plan to install. To know about the price of the tank, read on…
The term ‘septic tank’ might be unfamiliar to those living in urban areas but surely not to people living in remote or rural places. The water that gets flushed from the sink, drained from the sink while washing hands or having a bath gets accumulated in the septic tank. People staying in rural areas need to make a special arrangement to hold this waste water, something which is done by installing a septic tank. However, in cities, a traditional drainage system often takes care of the dirty water.
If you are one of those planning to make a house in a rural area, installing a septic tank is a must. Generally, these tanks are constructed underground, and an arrangement is made so that the used water flows into the tank and leaves it simultaneously. The septic tank costs other than price of the tank is generally associated with the following tasks:
- Installation
- Maintenance
- Repair
The Septic Tank Price
The factors that determine its price are the size and the type of the septic tank. Larger the size, more will be the tank price. These tanks are generally made from concrete, steel or fiberglass. Septic tanks made from concrete are commonly found in areas where installation is essential, as these tanks can provide excellent service without much maintenance for several years. The standard size for a septic tank is one that stores 1000 gallons (4000 liters) of water and the price varies from $500 to $700.
Permit Fee
Before you initiate the installation work of your septic tank, you need to take the prior permission from the local health department. Of course, to get the permission, you need to shell out a specific amount, commonly referred to as permit fee. The amount is usually in the range of $300-350.
The local health department will ask you to submit the drawings that give details about the design and layout of the septic tank. After inspecting the septic drawing and ensuring that the design is not violating any environmental norms, the concerned authority will give the approval usually within 2-3 weeks time.
Original Installation Cost
The installation cost of septic tanks is dependent upon the type of septic system and the labor charge which varies from place to place. The commonly installed ones are as follows:
- The drainfield and gravel septic systems
- Pressure systems
- Aerobic wastewater treatment systems
- Peat filter septic systems
It also depends on the amount of material required to complete the installation. You will also require pipes that provide a passage for waste water of the toilet, sink and bathroom to reach the tank. The outgoing pipe from the tank is then connected to the distribution box that diverts water to different pipes, through which the sewage water flows to the drainfield (trench).
The minimum installation charges of septic tank are somewhere around $2000. However, normally you will need to spend around $3000-5000 to install a septic tank. In case the labor charges are high in your area, be prepared to shell out more than $5000 ( approximately $8000 – $12000). Installing an aerobic system will cost around $6000-10000.
For installing gravity fed drainfields, you will have to spend a minimum of $5000 and the cost can go upto $10000. On the other hand, going for a simple pressure system is a much cheaper option as one has to spend a maximum of $5000 and a minimum of $3000.
Maintenance Cost
Different septic systems require less or frequent maintenance. The annual maintenance cost of a new drainfield septic system will range between $30 – $500. Over time, you will be required to pump out the solid waste material that remains inside the septic tank. The conventional gravel septic systems need to be pumped out, once in every 1-3 years.
In case you have installed a peat filter system, the annual maintenance charge can go up to $1700. The most commonly used products for septic system maintenance are the septic tank cleaners such as enza powder that prevent clogging of drain lines.
Pumping the tank is an important part of maintenance. In this procedure, the solid waste that gets clogged over a period of time is removed from the septic tank. There are professionals who can do this job efficiently and charge around $150-250 per visit.
Although pumping the tank is essential, doing this maintenance job frequently will destroy the bacteria that promote breakdown of sewage and prevent less number of solid particles from draining into the surrounding environment. Too much solid waste moving into the drainfield can lead to unwanted weed growth and sludge-like layer. To avoid this biomat growth, it is advised to do this maintenance work, once in every 3-5 years.
Another important component of septic tanks are the baffles. These are tubular metal structures, each one situated near the entrance and exit of the tank. Baffles are fitted in the tank so as to prevent water from exiting the tank too fast. As baffles are constructed out of metal, they get rusted eventually and require replacement.
The expenditure of fitting a new septic tank baffle is anywhere between $200 and $400. Over time, the distribution box may fail to work correctly and needs to be replaced with a new one. The cost of putting new distribution box would lighten your wallet by around $600-800.
The pipes that transport solid waste and used water to the septic tank often get clogged over a period of time. In order to clear the pipes and restore normal flow of water, you need to pay around $50-250 in addition to the pumping cost.
Repair Cost
A system that is maintained poorly by ignoring septic tank problems is one of the main reasons behind high repairing cost. Replacing a broken pipe is considered to be one of the least inexpensive repair. Otherwise, the repairing cost can go to several hundred dollars which is between $1500-3000.
Remember, the total septic tank cost can reduce significantly if they are constructed and maintained in the right way. Reducing water usage (read as wastage) at home can also help to improve the efficiency of septic tanks. It is observed that lack of maintenance, pumping the tank frequently and abuse of tank are some of the factors that can decrease the service life of the tank drastically. So, carefully follow the maintenance guidelines to increase its performance and rest assured your tank will easily last for over 40 years.