Septic System Repair Services in Mercer Island, Washington

The average cost of replacing a septic tank can depend on your location, the type of property you have, and even the reputable septic tank service providers in your area. The type of pump you install with it, like a turbine or centrifugal pump, is one of many factors associated with septic tank replacement. Some septic systems are more expensive or cost-effective than others, like conventional septic systems compared to chamber septic systems and alternative systems like mound, waterless, and aerobic. If you’re only installing a small septic tank, expect to pay less for septic tank replacement than if you were installing a large one.

There can be many variables to consider when experts work out septic tank repair costs, but they often provide an average price range of $650 to $6,500. How damaged your septic tank is can ultimately contribute to the price range for repairing it, with issues like large cracks and drain field issues often costing thousands compared to small issues like minor cracks that can cost hundreds. In many cases, septic tank repair businesses will charge more to repair a large septic tank than a small one based on time and materials. The accessibility of your septic tank can contribute to the cost of repairs, with tanks buried deeply, located in hard-to-reach locations, or obstructed, often costing more to repair than easily accessible tanks.

How well you’ve looked after your septic tank can be a contributing factor in how long it lasts before you need to explore your replacement options. You may be surprised by how common it is for well-installed and regularly maintained septic tanks to last 40 years or longer, but the lifespan can typically range from 15 to 40 years. Some septic tank materials are stronger than others and are designed to last the distance, with concrete and fiberglass often lasting longer than steel, which can succumb to corrosion. Every property and septic tank is different, with factors like design and installation, soil and site conditions, and pumping frequency all contributing to average lifespans.

There can be many signs pointing to your septic tank being in a particular location in your yard, like depressions in the earth, ground disturbances, and unusual grass and vegetation growth. If you’ve just purchased your property and are unsure where your septic tank is located, you can check your copy of the inspection records or see if the former owner left any helpful information. If you have the building plans for your property, review them to see if there’s a drawing, description, or key to show the exact location of your septic tank. When the location of your septic tank continues to evade you, reach out to a septic tank service provider in your area since they often have special tools to find the location of a septic tank.

Leaking sewage from collapsed septic tanks can be a serious health and safety risk, which is why it’s crucial to contact trusted septic tank service providers as soon as possible. A collapsed septic tank means your septic system doesn’t work as it should and isn’t taking care of wastewater properly, so refrain from using it until repairs are completed. A collapsed septic tank can cause property damage like sinkholes, meaning any use can contribute to worsening property damage. You may encounter legal problems like health and safety code violations if you still use your septic tank after it has collapsed.

To keep your septic tank in good working order, book periodic septic tank pumping through a septic tank service provider in your area. Septic tank maintenance can sometimes be as easy as being mindful of what you flush down your drains and toilets. Avoid damage to your drain field and keep it in good working order with a few simple actions like planting trees and parking vehicles away from it. When you want your home or business septic system to function at its best, take care of it with septic-safe toilet paper, no harsh chemicals, and efficient water use.

Repairing a septic tank is messy, complicated work, so even if you have basic repair knowledge or access to the internet, it’s best to leave septic system repairs to licensed and insured service professionals with industry experience. If your septic tank’s baffle is damaged and needs to be replaced, you may need to inspect it, remove it, order a new one, install it, and test it to make sure it’s working. With septic tanks often buried in the ground, performing repairs on your tank usually requires excavating the area around it to uncover access and maintenance holes. You don’t always know whether repairs have been successful until you test your tank, so look for signs of malfunction and leakage before and after you repair your tank.

Homeowners’ insurance policies often cover septic tank repairs for damage caused by events outside of their policyholders’ control, such as fires, hail, windstorms, and lightning. If an explosion caused your septic tank to need repairs, your homeowners’ insurance might cover the costs of any necessary repairs or total replacement if required. In many situations, insurance companies will confirm coverage of septic tank repairs relating to vandalism and natural disasters, depending on their cause. Every insurance company is different, with different clauses and exclusions, but many will not cover the costs of septic tank repairs caused by neglect, wear and tear, and damage a homeowner or business owner could have prevented.

Septic system repair specialists are often called to residential and commercial properties to deal with common septic tank issues like clogs and blockages in pipes and drain fields. Sadly, septic tank cracks are a common problem that businesses and homeowners face due to age, pressure, and ground movement and often require repairs or tank replacement. High-usage households and businesses that don’t schedule regular septic tank pumping or perform any much-needed maintenance may encounter challenges like sewage backing up and overflowing. Homeowners and businesses can encounter many issues relating to their septic systems, especially due to age, trees and their roots being too close, and poor installation.

If your local service provider has access to concrete and epoxy sealant products designed for septic tanks, there’s a chance they’ll be able to repair small cracks in your septic tank. Any light septic tank cracks may be taken care of with professionally recommended septic tank patch kids that feature patching compounds and adhesives. While it is stressful to notice a large or structural septic tank crack, septic tank service providers may be able to repair it by reinforcing the crack with extra materials. Not all septic tank cracks can be repaired, with some being so severe that replacing your entire septic tank is the most cost-effective and safest option.