Septic Tanks 101: The Importance of Choosing The Right Sized Tank

A septic tank is a unique product, designed to hold and manage waste in locations where municipal sewer systems are not available. The solids and liquids are filtered, and liquids are released safely into a drainage field, allowing for breakdown and management of waste. These have been in use for many years, and are an important part of any new construction in New Jersey, where municipal sewage systems have yet to cover the region. These tanks require either excavation of land to create an area for the physical tank to sit, or, for older properties, you may discover that you need to excavate and replace an entire septic tank. While septic tanks last 20-40 years on average, depending on the materials used to build them, inefficient installation or overuse can cause them to fail sooner. Read on to find out how to find the right sized septic tank for your property!

Too Big
Should you just buy the biggest septic tank there is? Surely that will be enough! Don’t fall victim to this mindset! Septic tanks are designed to work by being used, and if you have a tank that is far too big for your needs, it may not run efficiently. Just like you need to drive a car every now and again to keep it in good shape, your septic system will suffer from lack of use.

Too Small
Most people can imagine what happens when a septic tank is too small… and you’re right! Backups, blockages, foul smells, poor performance, and an increased risk of ground contamination are the risks of getting too small a septic tank! Yuck! If you have to choose between a little big and a little small, go up a size! But remember, septic tanks are sort of like Goldilocks…

Just Right
You want your septic system to be just the right size. This can be done by estimating the square footage of your home or business, or by the number of bedrooms, but if you are living in this property, you have the real golden number: How many people will be living there? Each person uses a fairly standard amount of wastewater, so having this number and sharing it with your professional contracting and septic tank installation team is a must! A single occupant will use far, far less than a family of six, and if you plan on expanding your family, let your contractor know! The perfect septic tank size is best determined by close consultation with the experts.
If you need a septic tank installed in New Jersey, including new excavation or removal of old tanks, don’t hesitate to contact your trusted professionals. The team at RFC is always happy to discuss your project!