How to Choose the Right Septic Tank Size

Why septic tank size matters

Your septic tank is essentially the holding container for all the waste and wastewater that leaves your home. This includes everything from shower water and toilet flushes to dishwashing and laundry runoff.

A septic tank that's too small can quickly become overwhelmed, leading to backups, leaks, or even system failure. On the flip side, a tank that’s too large for your needs can be unnecessarily expensive, space-consuming, and inefficient. You want a tank that’s perfectly sized to your household’s usage.

Factors to consider when choosing

So, how do you determine what size septic tank is right for your home? Several factors come into play.

• Household Size: The more people living in your home, the more waste and water the septic system has to manage. The general rule of thumb is that each person contributes around 80-100 gallons of wastewater per day.
• Number of Bedrooms: If you want to tailor the size to your house and not your household, then go by the number of bedrooms. A typical recommendation is 1,000 gallons for 2-3 bedrooms, 1,250 for 4, and 1,500 for 5-6 bedrooms.
• Water Usage Habits: Do you run the dishwasher daily? Take long showers? Have multiple loads of laundry going every week? Households with heavy water usage might need a larger tank.
• Appliances and Fixtures: Washing machines, dishwashers, and jacuzzis are all water-guzzlers and it’s worth considering how these will impact your septic tank size. The more water these appliances use, the larger your tank should be to accommodate the extra flow.

Getting it right

Choosing the wrong septic tank size can lead to a host of issues down the road. A tank that’s too small will fill up more quickly, requiring more frequent septic tank pumping. In extreme cases, it can cause sewage backups into your home.

An oversized tank, meanwhile, can be inefficient. If the tank is too large for your household’s needs, the waste might sit too long without properly breaking down, leading to problems with the system’s overall functionality. You’ll likely need septic tank cleaning.

Call the professionals

If you’d like to consult with professionals from a reputable septic company, then call the septic specialists at Septic Blue. We are happy to schedule a face-to-face meeting or on-site visit for as soon as possible.

Septic Blue is also proud to offer emergency septic tank repair. Call or message us at any time of the day to get in touch with a live representative.