If you are installing a new septic system in your new home or replacing the existing septic system, it is important to make sure that the septic tank is properly sized for your situation. Your sewer-septic professional will be able to help you determine the minimum size for your septic tank, but a basic understanding of the variables to consider will help you make an appropriate choice.
A septic system is made up of a drain line, a septic tank, the leech field, and the soil under the leech field. Each of these components has an important job to do and the septic system will fail if any of these components is not functioning properly.
The septic tank is designed to hold wastewater from your home long enough to allow most of the solid material to settle out to the bottom of the tank. The septic tank also allows greasy scum to float to the top of the tank. The septic tank is designed with baffles to hold the scum layer and the solid waste in the tank, but allow the effluent to flow out to the leech field.
A properly sized septic tank will be large enough to hold the wastewater for about 24 to 48 hours before it flows into the leech field. Based on average water usage, a septic tank for a three bedroom home should be at least 1,000 gallons. A 1,200 gallon tank is appropriate for a 4 bedroom home, and a 1,500 gallon tank is suitable for a 5 to 6 bedroom home.
If your home is equipped with a garbage disposal or if you anticipate unusually high water usage, it is a good idea to use the next higher septic tank size.
