An Overview of Residential Septic Tank Dimensions

Septic tanks come in a variety of sizes and dimensions, but the most common size for residential use is between 1000 gallons and 1500 gallons. Knowing the dimensions of your tank is essential to properly caring for and maintaining it.

What is a Septic Tank?

A septic tank is an underground watertight chamber typically made of concrete, fiberglass or plastic that receives and stores sewage. It is designed to break down the solids in sewage and provide a processing place for them to naturally biodegrade, while releasing liquid effluent into the drainage field. Septic tanks are typically installed in areas where there is no public sewer system available.

Standard Septic Tank Sizes

The standard sizes of residential septic tanks vary from 500-gallons to 1,250-gallons. Generally, there are two different shapes for septic tanks – rectangular and cylindrical – but the dimensions will be similar for both. Depending on the size and shape of the tank, it can measure anywhere between 5 feet to 12 feet long by 4 feet to 7 feet wide by 3 feet to 5 feet deep. The number of people in a household or the local climate can affect which size or dimension works best.

How Big Should a Home Septic System Be?

When determining the size of your septic tank, it is important to take into account the number of people in your household and the local climate. Generally, a 500-gallon tank works well for moderate climates that accommodate up to four people in a household, whereas a 1,250-gallon tank is suitable for households with more than four occupants. Additionally, other factors such as usage rate and soil type should be taken into consideration before selecting a size for your residential septic system.

Avoid Overloading Your System

It is also important to make sure you are not overloading your system by putting too much strain on it. Too much water in the system can cause tanks and drainage fields to become clogged up, leading to a backup of sewage in the ground. To help prevent this from happening, consider investing in a larger tank size than recommended for your region or soil type.

Have Your Septic Tank Inspected Regularly

Although your septic tank may not need to be changed out every single year, it is extremely important to have it inspected annually. This is because a professional can look for any signs of damage or wear and tear that could pose a threat to the functionality of the tank. Additionally, they can identify causes of clogs or other problems before they become more serious issues.