How long should it last?

[Larry D.]

I have a new trench septic system.  How long should it last?

[Stuart Meade]

Hi Larry,

I thought someone else might chime in.  I don't want to be the question-answer-hog.

How long do septic systems last?  It depends on who you ask.  I tell people that if your septic absorption field lasts you 15-20 years, you have done pretty well.  The short answer is the life span of your system (assuming it was sized and installed correctly) depends on the amount and strength of water you put into it.  Read this sticky post for more information. http://www.septicdesign.com/forums/index.php/topic,9.0.html

[LM Excavating]

Hi Larry,

That's a big question with lots of things to consider, most important consideration is your soil. Some soils work better than others.

Next would be what you put into your septic tank. DO NOT USE septic remedies that you pour down the drain to keep your system healthy. None have been shown to do any good and some even do harm. I know of nothing to benefit the system that enters the septic tank. There are a few that are questionable and mostly only available to professionals that are put directly into the laterals that may help specific problems.

Design of the system and components used can and will directly impact life of the system.

Filters installed in the Septic Tank and Dosing tank (on the pump) are a benefit without question, once again some are better than others but anything is better than nothing.

But to answer your question I have seen systems that lasted 30 days (not one of mine) and seen them last 50 years.

[Toxic Avenger]

The three biggest things I have found to keep your system lasting the longest:

1) Have septic tank(s) pumped regularly, i.e. no less than once every 3 years (every 2 years if more than 4 people live in the home).

2) Do not put anything into the septic system other than human generated waste.  Only "toilet paper" should be flushed, NO paper towels, ear swabs, feminine hygene products, etc.  Also, NO paints, solvents, grease (food or otherwise), dyes, stains, or bleach (except for the small amounts used in washing clothes), etc.  In my opinion, products like Rid-ex do NOT work as well as they claim they do, if at all.

3) Avoid disturbing the area over your septic absorption field in any way:
     - Do not have a sprinkler system over you septic absorption field if possible;
     - Do not plant trees or or large shrubs over the septic system;
     - No above-ground pools, driveways, sidewalks, decks, sheds, etc. build over the field;
     - Do not compact the soil, e.g. by driving large vehicles over the area, especially when the ground is wet and soft
     - Do not place extra soil on (fill material) or remove soil from the septic field.

[emilym]

If you use an "infiltrator" or EZ flow infiltrator system--NOT long!  Beware ANYONE (installer, local govt) who says otherwise. I never broke any rules re my 7-yr-old conventional system and it's already FAILED. They used EZ flow, and I told the installer to assume an extra bedroom, but it still failed! I believe it was undersized, despite the people in my county that told me I could get "septic 'size credits' because this was such a good system"!  Don't just look at installation price, look at how long folks have been using these in your area.  I should have asked: they've only been in use 8 yrs where I live...I called the people at septic-tank-maintenance.net and was told they have people with TWO-YR-OLD  infiltrator systems that failed! (You don't have to use their "helper" product--I guess not recommended on this site-- to get info from the company. 800-507-0927

[Toxic Avenger]

If you use an "infiltrator" or EZ flow infiltrator system--NOT long!  Beware ANYONE (installer, local govt) who says otherwise. I never broke any rules re my 7-yr-old conventional system and it's already FAILED. They used EZ flow, and I told the installer to assume an extra bedroom, but it still failed! I believe it was undersized, despite the people in my county that told me I could get "septic 'size credits' because this was such a good system"!  Don't just look at installation price, look at how long folks have been using these in your area.  I should have asked: they've only been in use 8 yrs where I live...I called the people at septic-tank-maintenance.net and was told they have people with TWO-YR-OLD  infiltrator systems that failed! (You don't have to use their "helper" product--I guess not recommended on this site-- to get info from the company. 800-507-0927

Well, the fact that your system already failed, does not necessarily mean it was the fault of the product used.  Other reasons may have been the cause.  
-  the trenches may not have been installed level.
-  there may have been a seasonal high water table which was not accounted for.
-  the may have been a limiting layer in the soil that was not accounted for.
-  You may be puttig more water into the system than it can handle - how many people have lived in the house over the past 7 years?
-  But, the biggest issue that I actually see is that size reduction your county allowed.  In my county, we DO NOT ever allow size reductions based soley on the product being used.   In my professional opinion, size reductions should only be allowed when there just isn't enough room in the yard for a full sized system, but that's it.  

But basically, the product isn't to blame, it sounds more like human error.