Septic Tank Costs

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.

Septic Tank Cost

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.

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 minimum installation charges 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.

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. There are professionals who can do this job efficiently and charge around $75 - $150 per visit. 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.

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.

A new septic system is very much capable of lasting for more than 20 years. The total septic tank cost can reduce significantly if they are constructed and maintained in the right way.