Septic tank: plastic vs concrete

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Septic tank: plastic vs concrete

Posted: 7/26/2016 2:44:26 PM EDT

This is for a new construction home. I've been reading about some pros and cons, figured I'd ask about experiences here.

Seems like the big pluses for the plastic tanks are that they are less likely to crack and easier to install since they can be moved by hand. One septic designer told me that plastic tanks used to have a problem with warping under stress once in the ground, so you might take the lid off to have it pumped and never be able to get the lid back on. He said he hasn't seen that issue in a long time though with more modern tanks.

Any opinions one way or the other?

Thanks

Posted: 7/26/2016 5:09:33 PM EDT

[#1]

I just built a house and we put in a concrete tank. I'm confident it'll outlast me.

I think plastic has a place if you are building a house in a place where you can't get big equipment in. If given a choice, I would choose concrete. I got some prices and as I recall, the price was fairly close.

I did check with my county health department and they couldn't even tell me if a plastic tank would be approved.....no one uses them where I live. So check with your jurisdiction....you might not be able to use them.

If you do go plastic, I would only backfill once I had filled the tank with water.

Posted: 7/26/2016 5:17:35 PM EDT

[#2]

I just had concrete tanks installed today...i also believe they will outlive me. My Presby field bed is up on top the hill to the left.

Posted: 7/26/2016 6:37:24 PM EDT

[#3]

Everyone around here (cenTex) uses plastic. Mine is 9 years old with zero issues.

Posted: 7/27/2016 2:05:22 AM EDT

[#4]

Plastic here as well. Just took the lid off last fall to have it pumped. No problems going back on. Its just a cap that is held on by 4 long sheet metal screws. Not like its a thread on cap.

Posted: 7/27/2016 8:12:24 AM EDT

[#5]

IMHO, this is likely dependent on local soil conditions and local practices, asking people all over the nation will get you responses just like you're getting... in some places everybody used concrete, but in others, everybody uses plastic. It's very likely that in places that use concrete a plastic tank may not hold up as well, but on the contrary, in places that use plastic, a concrete tank may not hold up as well.

Posted: 7/27/2016 8:34:14 AM EDT

[#6]

We used plastic when we did one. I can't see how it is bad.

The pipe the crapper sits on is plastic.
The pipe going to the tank is plastic.
The pipe leaving the tank is plastic.
The leach field is plastic components.

But the tank can't be plastic?

Posted: 7/27/2016 10:13:07 PM EDT

[#7]

Plastic for me but I did my own.

Posted: 7/27/2016 10:26:25 PM EDT

[#8]

500 gallon cement tank here. I watched them put it in and then fill it up with water. It was impressive.

Posted: 7/27/2016 10:49:38 PM EDT

[#9]

my house in MO had a 1000 gal tank that is now 11 years old and during the inspection when I sold my house recently it was in perfect shape.

Posted: 7/31/2016 8:44:18 PM EDT

[#10]

Please be sure your septic tank doesn't leak. We already have the leakage from someone else's sitting in the White House the last 7 years and now more of it campaigning for president this time around and we don't need more.

Posted: 7/31/2016 9:12:58 PM EDT

[#11]

We used two 500 gallon tanks on our aerobic system. A guy I went to school with is a tank manufacturer and installer so it is what he used when he installed mine.

Posted: 8/1/2016 3:20:11 AM EDT

[#12]

Quote History

Quoted:
We used two 500 gallon tanks on our aerobic system. A guy I went to school with is a tank manufacturer and installer so it is what he used when he installed mine.

View Quote

i think the OP wanted to know the pros/cons of plastic vs concrete... your tank is which, and why?

ar-jedi

Posted: 8/1/2016 5:43:11 PM EDT

[#13]

i would say go concrete. Went to the in laws a few years ago, saw a backhoe and equipment in the neighbors yard, asked my FIL what was going on over at Dean's house - "Oh, they had a leaky septic tank so he took the fill off the top, removed the lid, and then went down too patch it. It wasn't very neighborly of me, but I didn't offer to help!".

So if you go concrete you have more repair options I guess?!

Posted: 8/5/2016 12:21:03 AM EDT

[#14]

I put in a fiberglass Multi-flow septic tank with a concrete lift station when I built my house 18 years ago. It's been really good so far with only needing filter changes every 5 years or so and that isn't terribly expensive. It isn't a mound system (which I don't like) and you can't even see it unless you are on top of it.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Septic tank: plastic vs concrete

Outdoors » Homestead, Farm & Garden

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