Septic Conversion
Homeowners with a septic system that is old, broken, or does not meet community standards may need to invest in a septic conversion. Huron Pointe Excavating in Harrison Township, MI, provides this upgrade, installing a separate, new treatment system or adding aeration components to the existing tank.
Understanding Septic Tanks
A septic tank is an underground container tasked to collect wastewater from toilets, sinks, showers, and the like. Wastewater is then flowed into a leach field and moves through soil to reach groundwater. Once considered generally safe because the water eventually wends its way to a treatment plant, this system is no longer considered ideal – but a sewer system is. Enter a septic conversion.
Most homes built after 1990 do not have a septic tank. People who own older houses must think about a septic conversion to a modern sewer system. Turning your septic tank into an independent treatment system eliminates problems caused by the aged septic system, including clogs, overflow, unit failure, and wastewater discharge issues that back up into the basement or crawl space.
Understanding Sewer Lines
While a septic tank holds water that allows bacteria to break down human waste, the tank needs to be pumped out or emptied when it gets full. That’s an effort, and it’s the homeowner’s responsibility to avoid complications. A sewer line, however, is a pipe that runs through your property, collects deposits from each fixture, and carries sewage away from your home to the main sewer line. A sewer line can handle the work of multiple toilets – a septic tank is not that savvy.
Factors That Support a Septic Conversion
You’re not alone if you’re a homeowner who never realized that your local community has different standards for septic tanks and sewer systems. It’s important to check with your municipality and learn what requirements are, if you meet them, and what the options are if you do not. Showing proof of a scheduled septic conversion may be all you need to do to appease the powers that be.
There are many positive reasons to convert your system and invest in a septic conversion, including:
- Lower water bill: Septic systems use twice as much water as a regular toilet system. This perk is almost enough to make the whole change worth it, especially if you have a busy household.
- Increased home value: A working sewer system, a new one at that, is attractive to any homebuyer who wants a clean, modern house to live in.
- Improved safety: A septic system would be a disaster should your house flood. This risk disappears with a septic conversion. A poorly maintained septic system can also lead to health problems.
- Smaller footprint: Septic tanks release harmful chemicals – methane gas – when they decompose, which is harmful to the environment. Sewer systems do not.
Cost of a Septic Conversion
Sewer systems carry wastewater directly to a treatment plan through connected pipes. The overall cost of a septic conversion is worth the effort as it saves homeowners from dealing with unpleasant side effects of ineffectual septic tanks.
The cost of a septic conversion usually takes the following elements into consideration:
- Type of plumbing used
- Number of fixtures on the property
- Property size and location
- Pre-existing draining problems
- Excavation needed
- Available water pressure
Ask your city or two if there are any incentives for upgrading your home with a septic conversion. Financial assistance is sometimes an option for those who make this shift on their own, or there may already be city-wide plans to convert entire areas to a new sewer system.
Find Out If You Need a Septic Conversion
A septic conversion typically takes only a few days for the change and upgrade. It will depend on the circumstances of your property and existing system. Contact Huron Pointe Excavating to determine what’s possible for your home.
