If you need a septic tank replacement, you may be toying with the idea of performing the work yourself. However, if you have little to no experience with septic installations, the best piece of advice we can offer you is: Don’t.
Septic tank replacement is one of the most dangerous projects a homeowner can undertake, and should always be left to the pros. You are, after all, dealing with large quantities of wastewater and raw sewage lying within close range of your home and the homes of your neighbors. Even a small mistake could be not only costly and embarrassing, but also deadly. Below are some reasons why you should never replace a septic tank yourself.
You Could Pollute the Local Environment
When we install a new septic tank, we take into consideration many factors. The tank will need to be a certain size to accommodate your household’s waste; the tank material must be structurally sound and erosion-proof; the drainage pipe needs to be installed at the correct depth and angle; the drainage field must be in the correct location—and those are just the basics.
If you make a mistake in any of the above factors, you run the risk of contaminating ponds, waterways or streams with sewage. We don’t need to tell you that contact with effluent is a serious health risk, not just for you but for your entire community. E coli and other bacteria can be deadly if it enters the local water table or erupts at the surface of your property. Even if your family does not make direct contact with wastewater, pathogens can still be brought to you by insects and even family pets.
Litigation, Fines, and Repair Costs
Because improper septic tank installation can be so dangerous to the public, most municipalities have stringent rules and requirements regulating it. You may be required to submit plans and receive approval before any work begins. If you fail to do this, you could find yourself having to tear out anything you install and pay hefty fines to boot.
Another risk of DIY septic tank replacement is accidentally unearthing gas lines, power lines, communication lines, or plumbing pipes. If you dig and end up damaging utilities, you will be held responsible for the cost of all repairs, and most likely face other penalties and fines from your utility companies.
It should go without saying that all of these costs will vastly exceed the amount you save by renting a backhoe and excavating your septic tank yourself. And that’s just assuming your work doesn’t end up contaminating the water supply. If people fall ill or die due to your faulty work, a class-action lawsuit will be the beginning of your worries.
And, when all the dust has settled, you will still need to pay a septic tank company to repair any faulty work.
Skip the Risk and Worry: Hire the Professionals at Eastern Septic
To avoid all this worry, risk and hassle, just hire a professional, licensed septic tank company like Eastern Septic to do the job for you. Our team of professionals can test the soils, recommend durable, high-quality materials, secure all permits and code requirements, and install the new tank properly. Then, we’ll keep your septic system running smoothly with yearly septic tank maintenance, inspection, and repair services.
If you’d like to schedule a septic tank installation or replacement in Harnett, Johnston, Cumberland, Sampson, or Wake County, fill out our form for a free estimate today!
