A home septic pump should last five to seven years, whereas a commercial septic pump should last five to fifteen years. However, this truly relies on the usage conditions. Regular maintenance and occasional septic pump repairs are two things that are known to increase a pump's lifespan.
Quick Facts. 7-10 years is the average lifespan of a septic pump with proper maintenance. Installation quality, usage frequency, and type of waste processed affect a septic pump's life. Most pumps are wired into the home with an alarm attached, if your alarm sounds contact a septic professional right away.
While most sewage ejector pumps are designed to withstand at least 7 to 10 years of use, with some even lasting much longer, occasionally problems do arise long before the pump has reached the end of its life span. Here is a look at two of the most common reasons for premature sewage ejector pump failure.
If you are fortunate, you may find that you only need to replace the pump to get your septic system working again. Pumps can typically need replacing every 10 years and could cost you around $1,000-$2000. If there is a problem with the leach field, it will mean that there isn't enough drainage.
Replacing a sewer ejector pump requires the services of a plumber or septic tank repair professional near you. Installation costs vary depending on the size and type of your tank and the complexity of the job.
Your leach field (also known as your drain field) is the most expensive part of your septic system to repair or replace. Depending on the size, full leach field replacement can cost you as much as $20,000.
In general, a septic tank should be inspected every 1 to 3 years and pumped every 3 to 5 years. The frequency of pumping the septic tank depends on the tank size, number of people in the household, habits of water use as well as the amount of solids accumulated in the tank.
However, like any mechanical system, sewage pumps can encounter problems that prevent them from operating as expected and even cause them to break down completely. When sewage pumps fail, it can be extremely disruptive to building users and can result in toilets backing up, lack of access to clean water and overflow.
Clogs and Blockages
One of the most common causes of sewer pump failure is clogs in the pump or the connecting pipes. Debris, such as hair, grease, or solid objects, can obstruct the pump's impeller or the piping, reducing efficiency or stopping the pump altogether.
Most septic systems malfunction because of inappropriate design or poor maintenance. Some soil-based systems (those with a drain field) are installed at sites with inadequate or inappropriate soils, excessive slopes, or high ground water tables.
To test if the pump is working, first turn the pump on by turning the second from the bottom float upside down. While holding that float upside down, turn the next float up (that would be the second from the top), upside down. You should hear the pump turn on.
Most home insurance policies include protection for "other structures," which includes things like septic tanks, pools and fences. These are covered in the same way as everything else inside your home — provided the damage was sudden and something the homeowners could have done nothing to prevent.
If you see pools of water in your yard above the drain field, though, that's a tell-tale sign that your septic tank isn't being pumped the right way. You should never see standing water in your field when the tank is working as it should.
Typical Duration
From start to finish, including all the pre-installation steps, the entire process of installing a septic system can take anywhere from six to eight weeks.
Typical Lifespan for a Septic System
Most septic tanks can last for 15 to 40 years, while a septic leach or drain field can often last for well over 50 years. To get the most out of your septic system, you need to make sure you keep it properly maintained.
Typical Cost of Septic Tank Pumping
On average, homeowners can expect to pay between $300 and $500 for a standard septic tank pumping service.
Signs of a Clogged Leach Field
One of the first things you may notice inside your home is slow or sluggish drains and toilets. Water will only drain if there is room in the tank, but slow drainage may indicate that the tank is emptying slower, often due to a clog in the leach line.
If you purchase toilet paper that is labeled septic safe it should dissolve completely within 20 minutes. You can test this yourself by taking your septic-safe toilet paper brand and scrunching it into a cup of water.
This can lead to sewage backups, which are not only unpleasant but also pose a significant health hazard. In addition to sewage backups, neglecting septic tank pumping can result in untreated sewage being released into the environment, polluting nearby soil, groundwater, and even surface water sources.
The average lifespan of a septic system is 15 to 40 years, but it can last longer if properly maintained! Think at the sink. Consider what you put into your toilet and sink and the impact it may have on your system.
The average cost to put in a new septic tank system for the home is $3,900, with most property owners spending anywhere from $3,200 and $5,000 for a 1,250-gallon system, which is a recommended size for a three or four-bedroom house.
2022 Septic vs Sewer Results: Homes on Septic Sell for 17% More per Sq. Ft. and Sell 30% Faster than on Public Sewer. If you were thinking that switching to public sewer from your current septic system would increase your home value, think again.