Septic Tank Design Problems
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Septic Tank Design
Every septic tank design has an estimated life span. Tanks are commonly made from several materials. Your job is to find the most satisfactory compromise between tank affordability (installed) and life span. Listed below is the type of septic tank and estimated tank failure period along with other common design type issues and problems.
(Polyethylene) plastic septic tanks: They sometimes lack structural integrity. Manufactures claim an estimated life span of 30 years.
Redwood tanks: They can last from 15 to 45 years. Redwood tanks as well as steel tanks are now illegal in many areas. The top and upper sidewalls of a redwood tank will deteriorate first, causing the top to cave in (this can be dangerous, especially for kids) and the tank will start leaking in the upper 6 inches of liquid level. If a redwood tank fails completely, it’s best to replace it with a concrete or fiberglass one. However, if the sidewalls and bottom are good, installing a new top may gain you another 10 years.
Fiberglass tanks: They are light to handle, and quite durable, but they have been known to break due to shifting ground and are hard to repair. The life span of fiberglass tanks is estimated to be 30 years, but no one knows for certain because the product has not been around long enough.
Concrete tanks can develop leaks if the ground shifts, if the concrete was of poor quality, or (very common), when the joint between top and body leaks.
Both cast concrete, pored into a form and concrete blocks have a life span of 20 years but if well-made plastered and waterproofed it should last considerably longer.
Brick tanks: The life span of a brick tank may be a bit less than that of a block tank, but much depends upon the kind of brick used and the quality. Useful life can be substantially prolonged by cement plastering and waterproofing the inside walls.
Further septic tank design problems:
The tank may be porous and leak from the start.
The tank may not be properly sealed and small leaks can grow larger. Leaks can be fixed, but the tank must be properly cleaned and prepared, and techniques are difficult and dangerous in an older tank.
All tanks can leak around the inlet and outlet connections. This can usually be repaired by resealing the joints with caulk or mortar. Due to accumulation of gases, concrete outlet connections often disintegrate. Old ones should be replaced with plastic fittings.
Warning: Any underground tank that has had sewage in it is dangerous due to gases, especially if you are working alone. Only a trained professional with a self-contained breathing apparatus should enter a septic tank. Repairs to inlet and outlet tees can usually be completed without entering the tank, and should be done when the tank is pumped.