What is the average cost of septic tank installation

The water will then run through your soil and filter the waste products out naturally. A chamber system utilizes a gravelless drain field to work.

This makes them extremely popular for people on a budget. Better known as a cluster system, this setup will serve multiple households or at least two buildings. This setup will resemble a wetland when you get it set up, and it can work well by your pond.

The septic tank drains the waste into a wetland cell. These cells use a liner with sand, gravel, and wetland plants to help filter it. Thp plants are always wet, so you have to choose them with care to keep them healthy.

The water goes into the cell before the gravel, sand, and plants work to filter out any waste. The water will then go to a drain field, and it can use a pump or gravity. Small business or single-family homes are the two biggest residences that use this setup. This is a slightly older design, and it has a septic tank with a trench line that will double as a drain field. The trench uses stone or gravel in the construction, and there is a geofabric installed on top of the tench that allows water to flow through to the stone while preventing dirt or sand from getting into the clean soil.

It uses tubing in long lengths or drip laterals that get installed six to twelve inches below the soil. A tank will distribute a large amount of water using a pump on a timer. However, more advanced technology can push the cost above this threshold. There is a unique design with this septic system, and it uses an open-air tank that allows the water to evaporate.

The tank has a watertight material lining it that is very durable, and this ensures that no water leaks out and gets into your soil. You have to live in the right climate to install this system, like a desert climate. It has to have a lot of sun, be hot, and have an arid feel. Gravity-based systems use gravity to encourage strong water flow and good filtration. There should also be effluent filters that will help screen larger particles out of the water before it goes out of the tank.

If you have shallow bedrock or soil or high groundwater, a mound-style system could work. There is a pump that will push the wastewater out of the system into the mound. The sand then filters the water before it gets into your groundwater or soil. It needs a lot of space, and the mound can be as big as feet long for a three-bedroom house. This is great if you have a high water table, and you get a pump chamber that will push the water out and distribute it across the set area.

Since it has a pump, it can force water uphill. You can install the sand filter part of this system below or aboveground. Effluent water or liquid waste will get pumped to the top of your sand filter. The sand filter uses PVC or concrete in the construction. The waste will filter though a stone or sand layer before it goes into the ground. Depending on the location and type of system, costs may be higher or lower than the average septic system installation or replacement.

A properly installed and well-maintained septic system keeps you, your family and your neighboring community safe. When a septic system fails, harmful — even dangerous — disease transmission can occur as contaminated water spreads through the soil and waterways. Understanding how your newly installed septic tank operates will help you keep it in good working condition. Here is how a septic tank system works, as outlined by the EPA :.

No one wants sewage water bubbling up through their front yard during the hottest day of summer or even on the coldest day of winter. Wastewater is not only stinky and gross, it's dangerous, carrying protozoa, bacteria such as E. If your septic system is leaking, overburdened or damaged, dirty wastewater can leach through the soil to contaminate the water you and your friends and neighbors drink.

Whole communities can become ill if there is a major wastewater problem. Knowing what signs to look for can help prevent a problem before it begins. The first step to a happy septic system is proper maintenance, which includes having your septic tank pumped every three to five years by a professional. If your septic system is not regularly cleaned, it can clog and lead to failure.

Other signs can alert you that it's time to call your septic system professional ASAP to either repair or replace the system. The Washington State Department of Health says that red flags include water and sewage from your toilets, drains and sinks that is backing up into your home; drains in your bathtubs, showers and sinks that are draining too slowly; gurgling sounds in your plumbing system; pooling water or damp spots visible near or above the septic tank or drain field; a bad smell around the septic tank or drain field; suspiciously lush grass from all that — ahem — fertilizer over the septic tank or drain field, even during dry weather; algal blooms developing on nearby ponds or lakes; and high levels of nitrates or coliform bacteria found in fecal matter in your water well when you test it.

There may be many reasons your septic system is failing, but, according to Washington State DOH, some common causes are clogged pipes running from the house to the tank, blockage to the inlet baffle to the tank, failure of the drain field, or a clogged outlet baffle or effluent filter. A septic system is a big investment. And while fixing your septic system may not be as aesthetically pleasing as repainting your house or remodeling your kitchen, the joys of clean, healthy drinking water are impossible to beat.

Because the cost of a septic tank and the installation process will run you into the thousands, it's important to do your due diligence when hiring a pro. Hiring an experienced and qualified professional can prevent major problems like system failure or your tank popping above ground, which can result from a poorly done installation.

When beginning your search, determine whether your state requires septic tank installers to have a contractor license. In California, a sanitation system contractor license is required to perform this type of work.

Always check the contractor license number against the state database to ensure the contractor's license is valid and up to date, and that no formal complaints have been filed against them. You'll also want to check whether your regional government has any licensing requirements for this type of work. Next, read reviews!

Find a company that has a solid background and has been in business long enough to give you the confidence that if something goes awry, they'll be around to fix it.

Call up to three installation professionals to give you quotes, and have them provide a clearly written estimate that includes information on your tank size and type, details of the pipes and drainfield, and any other particulars. Never pay the pro in full upfront. Many require a deposit to begin. You will also want a clearly written contract that includes each detail of work, cost, installation information depth and placement of tank, etc.

Good communication will help ensure a positive experience. Millions of people ask Thumbtack for help with their projects every year. We track the estimates they get from local professionals, then we share those prices with you.

Browse profiles, see prices and use filters to find pros who match your project. Join as a pro. See all. Events and more. Other Info. Cancel Search. How much will your septic system installation or replacement cost? Get a free estimate. What's in this cost guide? Soil type Tank size and tank type Equipment Installing Maintenance Lift station Alternative septic systems How septic tanks work Signs you need a new system How to hire a pro.

Soil type. Compare prices from septic system specialists near you. Get estimates. Tank size and tank type. Find a top-rated septic system specialist near you.

See pros. Lift station. Alternative septic systems. Find the right septic system specialist for your project. A pump alarm is an optional accessory to your septic system. Its purpose is to alert you if the water in your septic tank gets too high or too low or if the pump stops working.

That way, you can call a plumber ASAP and resolve the issue before it develops into major damage. Consult with your septic tank installer to find out if a pump alarm would be a good idea for your system. A septic riser is another optional — and extremely helpful — piece of a septic system.

If you own a mobile home, you will likely pay less for a septic system than a stationary homeowner. Check local building codes or simply ask your installer for regulations on the type of system you can use and how it should be set up. Depending on laws where you live, you may need a building permit or even multiple building permits to install a new septic system. Now you should have a detailed estimate of how much you would pay for a new septic tank or whole new septic system for your home.

Most of the time, replacing a single part will solve your issue quickly and easily. As with installation, even a minor error can cause major problems that could be expensive to reverse. For your septic system to perform to the best of its abilities for as long as possible, the tank will need regular pumping and cleaning. Experts recommend hiring a plumber or other specialist about every three to five years to pump your septic tank.

This preventative expense is much less than you would spend repairing a malfunctioning septic system. The results of the perc test will determine which type of system would be best for your property.

Your septic tank installer might be able to conduct the perc test for you, or you may need to hire a separate professional. Especially on a new construction site, you may need to remove obstacles such as trees and bushes before the installers can break ground on your septic tank project. This job involves excavation and requires a lot of open space, so you may need quite a few obstructions removed.

So, after installation, you may want to hire a professional landscaper to cover the site with more aesthetically appealing scenery. For example, installing a new flagstone walkway will cost a lot more than planting a few bushes.

Conditions in your specific area such as terrain, climate, and soil type will determine the type of septic system you should use and therefore will affect the overall cost of the project. Consult a local pro to determine the best type of septic system for your area and the average cost.