Septic Tank Service in the Portland Area

The Portland Metro Area houses a variety of septic tanks. Residential septic tanks range in size from 50-3000 gallons, but average tanks remain between 500-1000 gallons. Tank size is determined on install and is influenced by both the number of bedrooms and the system’s proposed use. Minimum standards for the state of Oregon included: a 1000 gallon tank for 4 bedrooms or less and a 1500 gallon tank for over 5 bedrooms. Intended system use requires questions such as: Do you intend to have a garbage disposal? Do you plan on throwing any parties or entertaining? Do you have a Jacuzzi tub? How many people will you have living in the home? What are your cleaning habits?

When installing a new tank, the size will be dictated by the number of bedrooms in a home along with how you propose to use the system.  It starts with number of bedrooms.  For a 4 bedroom house or less a 1000 gallon tank is required in the state of Oregon.  This is a minimum standard.  For a 5 bedroom and larger a 1500 gallon tank is minimum.  The next thing to consider is the way that you intend to use the system.  A few of the questions to ask your self are:  Do you intend to have a garbage disposal?, do you plan on throwing an parties or entertaining?, do you have a Jacuzzi tub?, How many people will you have living in the home?, and what are you cleaning habits?  Depending on the answer to these questions and others will determine the best fit in sizing of a tank for you household.

After tank size, the next item to consider is tank configuration. Tanks come in different shapes and sizes, ranging from tall, short, narrow and wide as well as one or two compartments. Each tank has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on each situation.

The last item to consider is tank material. Tanks are made from steel, concrete, fiberglass, low density plastic, and high density plastic.

• Because of steel’s rusting nature, tanks made from metal are rarely recommended.
• Concrete tanks have become a popular alternative due to their relatively low production cost and their ability to provide a longer lasting solution. However, concrete tanks normally are placed four feet below ground making them unsuitable for many sites due to their weight.
• Fiberglass is a great material to build a septic tank from, however, due to its relatively higher price, it is usually shied away from.
• Low density plastic tanks have really gotten a black eye in the industry. Because their bonds are not very strong, they have been known to warp and change shape over time. If a tank’s shape changes, the structural integrity of the tank, as well as the engineering, becomes compromised and the tank becomes at risk for caving in. For this reason, low density plastic tanks are not recommended.
• High density poly tanks possess all of the benefits of the low density plastic tanks with none of the weaknesses. The material is low weight and has optimum dimensions for performance with a structural integrity that is unmatched. Manufactures of this product have tested their tank 10’ below ground with much success, making them so confident in their product that they offer a 50yr warranty, which greatly exceeds that of any other alternatives.