Wells and Septic Systems (for sale, appliances, how much)

[Sammy0324]

Do wells usually need to be replaced eventually, or just the well pumps? How many years do wells/well pumps typically last, and how much does it cost to replace?

How many years can I expect to get out of my septic system (assuming we utilize it correctly and maintain it regularly)? How much does it cost to replace a septic system?

Thanks for your help!!

[Katlakat]

I'm surprised no one has replied to your thread. We're in a rental, and never have owned, so I completely can not help you here. I hope you are able to find your answers.

Kat

[Mark-faf]

At least in New England, deep wells almost never run dry. A spring, less than 20 feet down, however, is more dependent on rainfall. A lengthy drought can dry up a spring. Yes, a well's pump or pressure tank may have to be replaced, but that generally is a job a contractor can do in less than a day. Well pumps can blow from a lightning strike, but that's rather rare.

Septic systems are much more variable. The rule of thumb is 25-30 year lifespan but that really depends on how it is used and maintained. My original septic is 30 years old and doing fine. For about 12 years of that time it was lightly used as an occasional seasonal vacation home. We have used it hard for the last 10 years, a family of four, laundry, dishwasher, disposal, etc. We have ours pumped every 2.5 years.

Pumping out a septic is the single most important thing you can do to make your septic last. Our contractor tells us how the tank is doing and recommends timing for the next service. Save your records and keep track!

I vote no to additives like Rid-x. However if you have a disposal, ground up chicken bones are supposed to scrape the sludge. I am told the big no-no in a septic tank is potato peels. Throw them out or into your compost pile.

I am no expert, just a homeowner with personal experience and talking to rural friends and listening to their tips. HTH.

Mark

[Mark-faf]

Oh, and a septic, depending on the approved design, can cost $10-15K. I had a well dug to 220 ft in 1988 and it cost $4K then, all inclusive. Hopefully someone can come up with more recent pricing.

Mark

[GregW]

Deep wells, if installed properly, can last for decades. Usually the steel well casing fails due to rust. In a new well specify heavy duty PLASTIC well casing to avoid rust. Well pumps do "burn out" but are easily (heh, heh) replaced.

Septic sewage systems can also last for decades if they only have to handle sewage. Avoid using a disposal unit (compost vegetable scraps and throw away meat and fat scraps) and have the sludge pumped pot every couple of years. Usually the failure is the leaching surface of the field becomes clogged with grease. Replacing the field IIRC is around 20 grand.

[nhrocky]

Our last home that we built new had a brand new septic system. The sink came with a garbage disposal. I used that garbage disposal every day for a family of 5, including potato peels. I never,ever used any additives for the system. I believe we only had it pumped twice in that entire time. When the septic sytem was inspected for sale last year after 7 years of our ownership, the inspector asked if we lived there part-time because the entire system looked hardly used.

[BF66389]

Originally Posted by nhrocky

Our last home that we built new had a brand new septic system. The sink came with a garbage disposal. I used that garbage disposal every day for a family of 5, including potato peels. I never,ever used any additives for the system. I believe we only had it pumped twice in that entire time. When the septic sytem was inspected for sale last year after 7 years of our ownership, the inspector asked if we lived there part-time because the entire system looked hardly used.

I think there will be many folks who had your similar experience. Realize these aren't be-all/end-all rules of septic ownership. There are hundreds of factors that come into play when examining a septic systems ability to handle waste. The guidelines folks have provided are just that- guidelines based on the common causes of failure. They won't necessarily be the cause of failure for everyone.

How many bedrooms was the home by the way? Usually septics (new-ish) are sized for 2 users per bedroom. Likewise new-ish homes also tend to have new-ish appliances which use far less water than older ones.

[jthibodeau]

Originally Posted by Sammy0324

Do wells usually need to be replaced eventually, or just the well pumps? How many years do wells/well pumps typically last, and how much does it cost to replace?

How many years can I expect to get out of my septic system (assuming we utilize it correctly and maintain it regularly)? How much does it cost to replace a septic system?

Thanks for your help!!

I've never run across a drilled well that needed replacement, except due to contamination such as road salt or septic infiltration. Your well pump or controls are more apt to give you problems somewhere between 15 and 25 years down the road and replacement costs should be in the neighborhood of $300 to $700 dependent upon well depth and pump horse power rating. Other factors can increase costs also.

Of course, there is the possibility that a poor producing well can be affected by outside circumstances causing a drop in the well head (static water level) leaving even less water available than when the well was first constructed.

There are various types of septic system installations and materials used in construction. Cost can vary according to size which is influenced by the number of bedrooms when speaking of residential systems.

Septic system repairs normally entail baffle replacement or cover repairs to the septic tank. $150.00 will usually cover such a cost. A leach bed failure normally requires the bed, including the distribution box, to be replaced. Size and access will affect cost but, over all, a replacement of an average sized bed will run in the neighborhood of $6000.00 to $10,000.00.

You may also be required to submit a new design for state approvals for such items as bed replacement. Some recent discussions at state levels concerning repairs, which previously did not require approvals, may be instituted in the near future if not already in force presently. Cost for a new design can reach upwards of $1000.00