Should You Upgrade from Septic Tank to City Sewer?

If you live in the countryside, the chances are that your property’s plumbing system is connected to a septic tank. If your area eventually gets access to a sewer system, you may have concerns as to whether it is okay to convert to the sewer system. This may also be the case if you have just purchased a new property. While both options have their merits and demerits, exploring the surrounding factors will benefit you. This article will inform you about the choice to make.

Why it might be necessary to change from a septic tank to a sewer line

• If you already have problems with your septic tank, a city-wide sewer line expansion is a chance for you to incur lesser costs to convert to a sewer system. In such a case, connecting to the sewer line will be more economical than replacing your septic tank.
• The cost of servicing and keeping a septic tank in excellent condition can be pretty high. You will need to pump out the tank every three years for maintenance. There is also the monthly wastewater payment you will need to make. Getting connected to the sewer line saves you these hassles, as maintenance problems are the government’s responsibility.
• With sewer lines, the possibilities of encountering problems are way lesser than with septic tanks. If there is a problem with your septic tank, you will have to endure clogging issues or problems with bad smells. The cost of remedying this can be quite significant. As sewer lines are designed to hold more waste, you can expect these problems to be infrequent. And when they do occur, the city department is responsible for taking care of them.
• If you recently set up your septic tank or it is in perfect condition, you may not need to tie it into the sewer line. You should note that you may need to do so later in the future, so you should prepare adequately and budget for the costs. Also, some people have concerns about self-reliance and the environmental impact of sewer lines. For such people, a septic tank is a better choice. Another advantage here is that if city-wide problems occur with sewer lines, properties with their septic systems will not experience it.

Factors to note when switching from a Septic Tank

Have you decided to connect to the sewer line? Here are two necessary things to consider

1. You will need to plan for the labor and permit costs that connect to a sewer system. These costs may be as low as hundreds of dollars or far more, depending on associated factors.
2. You will need a septic tank professional to drain your septic tank, as it must be disabled. State regulations demand that this is correctly done, as abandoned septic tanks are a safety hazard. It can be extracted or buried with sand.

The choice of switching to a sewer line is primarily a question of the costs. If connecting to a sewer line far outweighs the cost of repairing or replacing your septic tank, you may want to lean toward the latter. It is, however, essential to consider long-run possibilities. If you plan to sell the property or perform renovations on it, state laws may require you to be connected to a sewer line to be granted a permit.

Need expert consultation on your septic or sewer problems? Reach out to us at Countryside Plumbing, Sewer, and Septic. We are licensed to specialize in septic installations, repairs, and much more. Book a consultation today.

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