Each year, local Indiana health departments issue more than 15,000 permits for new onsite sewage disposal systems like septic tanks. While many homeowners may associate septic tanks with rural properties, many are right here in Indianapolis.
What does that mean for you? It means that you may find yourself buying a home that has a septic tank or installing one on your property.
The question is, how do you know if a residential septic tank is the right choice for your home? We’re here to explain some of the pros and cons of septic tanks in Indianapolis and what you should know before investing in one.
Read on to find out if a residential septic tank is right for you.
Residential Septic Tank Pros
In order to determine if a residential septic tank is right for your Indianapolis home, it helps to understand the benefits. Though you may be used to public sewage systems and find onsite sewage disposal off-putting at first, there are many reasons why so many homeowners install septic tanks on their property each year. Let’s take a closer look at the pros of residential septic tanks.
Reduced Property Taxes
Homeowners have to pay for access to public sewage systems. This can impact your water bill as well as your annual property taxes. By switching to a residential septic tank, you can lower both of these costs, which can add up to substantial savings in the long-term.
Independence from Public Sewage Systems
Money isn’t the only reason why you might reconsider staying connected to the public sewage disposal system. For example, a septic tank will ensure that your plumbing isn’t impacted by community backups, overflows, or clogs. Septic systems also decrease your vulnerability to public pathogens and pollutants that can spread through shared sewage systems.
Low Environmental Impact
As long as you keep your septic tank well-maintained, it can produce better results for the environment. Because wastewater does not have to travel far for treatment, it uses less water and electricity to treat sewage properly. Plus, septic treatment removes the pollution from surface water and replenishes groundwater, which can have a positive impact on your soil.
Longevity
Though septic tanks do require regular maintenance, the tank can last for up to 40 years. Longevity may depend on the type of septic tank you use and the frequency with which you have it inspected and cleaned. If you’re buying a property with an existing septic tank, make sure that you know when it was installed to determine how long it will last before you need to replace it.
Residential Septic Tank Cons
To form a true assessment of septic tanks, you also need to understand their cons. If you aren’t willing to put in a little extra work, septic tanks may not be the right choice for you. Let’s take a closer look at the potential drawbacks of residential septic tanks.
Maintenance Neglect Can Create Costly Problems
Septic tanks function well when they’re emptied according to size and use and subject to regular maintenance. Failing to do these things can cause your septic tank to overflow or backup, causing sewage to clog your pipes or flood your property. If you aren’t on top of septic tank maintenance, you may find yourself dealing with thousands of dollars worth of damage to your plumbing, septic system, and property at large.
Fewer Things Can Go Down the Drain
There are a number of things you should never flush or rinse down your drains, andthis becomes all the more important when you have a septic system. If, for example, you dump grease down your kitchen drain or flush diapers down the toilet, you may find yourself dealing with a clogged or failing septic tank. It’s important that everyone in your household knows how to properly dispose of solids, grease, and household chemicals.
Additional Septic Tank Considerations
Now that you know the pros and cons of having a septic tank in Indianapolis, let’s talk about a few additional factors to consider. Meeting legal requirements and committing to inspections and maintenance are key when your property relies on onsite sewage disposal. With the right information, you can become a responsible septic tank user.
Meeting Legal Requirements
Septic systems in Indianapolis must meet Marion County code. Even if you purchase a property with a septic system installed already, you should have it inspected to determine whether or not it’s up to today’s laws. You should also ask for the inspection history to learn of any pre-existing issues.
If, at any point, you decide to expand your home’s plumbing system, you should invest in another inspection. A larger plumbing system may warrant a larger septic tank to handle an increase in wastewater.
Investing in Septic Tank Maintenance
As we mentioned already, septic tank maintenance is the key to a functional and environmentally friendly septic tank. This includes septic tank draining and septic tank cleaning.
Septic tanks allow wastewater to flow out into the designated drain field, where soil filters out any harmful bacteria. Solid waste is then left behind in the septic tank, itself. Depending on the specs of your septic tank, you may need to have it emptied and cleaned every one to three years to avoid overflow.
Do You Need Septic Tank Care in Indianapolis? Consider Blair & Norris
Are you buying a property with a residential septic tank? Are you considering switching from public utilities to onsite sewage disposal? If so, it’s time to find an Indianapolis company that can service your septic tank on a regular basis.
Blair & Norris provide regular septic tank maintenance and emergency services. Contact us to request services and get a free estimate before you commit.
