# Septic Metrics

> How septic systems work, what they cost, how to look after them, and what to do when something seems wrong. Written for US homeowners.


## Posts

- [Septic-safe ways to clear a clogged drain](https://septicmetrics.com/products/septic-safe-drain-cleaners/): A clogged drain doesn't have to mean a call-out. But on a septic system, reach for a plunger before you reach for a bottle.
- [Are dishwasher pods septic safe?](https://septicmetrics.com/products/are-dishwasher-pods-septic-safe/): "Septic safe" on a box isn't a government rating, and we found no public test of dishwasher pods in a working septic system.
- [How much does leach field repair cost?](https://septicmetrics.com/costs/leach-field-repair-cost/): The bill depends on what's actually wrong. Fixing one broken pipe and dealing with a field that's clogged from end to end are very different jobs.
- [Why does my yard smell like a septic tank?](https://septicmetrics.com/warning-signs/septic-smell-outside/): A properly working septic system has little or no odor, according to the University of Minnesota.
- [Signs of a clogged leach field and what to do](https://septicmetrics.com/warning-signs/clogged-leach-field/): A leach field works only while the soil's pores stay open. Once they fill up, the water has nowhere to go.
- [How to maintain a leach field](https://septicmetrics.com/leach-fields/leach-field-maintenance/): Day to day, a leach field asks very little of you. What it needs is protection: from solids, from excess water and from weight.
- [How long does a leach field last?](https://septicmetrics.com/leach-fields/how-long-does-a-leach-field-last/): Age alone won't tell you whether a field is failing. Some fields keep working for decades. A neglected or overloaded one can give out early.
- [Septic tank lids and risers explained](https://septicmetrics.com/basics/septic-tank-lids-and-risers/): Lids are easy to forget about. They're also one of the most important safety parts of the whole system.
- [How is a septic system designed?](https://septicmetrics.com/basics/how-septic-systems-are-designed/): Most homeowners assume septic design starts with the tank. It actually starts with what's under the yard, because the soil does much of the treatment.
- [How does an aerobic septic system work?](https://septicmetrics.com/basics/how-aerobic-septic-systems-work/): A conventional tank works without added oxygen.
- [State septic program contacts](https://septicmetrics.com/tools/state-septic-contacts/): This tool needs JavaScript.
- [Septic tank size calculator](https://septicmetrics.com/tools/septic-tank-size-calculator/): This calculator provides estimates only and should not be used as the sole basis for septic system design.
- [Septic symptom checker](https://septicmetrics.com/tools/septic-symptom-checker/): What are you noticing?
- [Septic checklist for home buyers](https://septicmetrics.com/tools/septic-home-buyer-checklist/): Tick each item as you finish it Get the septic permit and any site drawing from the local health department. Find out the system type and its age.
- [Septic system cost estimator](https://septicmetrics.com/tools/septic-cost-estimator/): This calculator provides estimates only and should not be used as the sole basis for septic system design.
- [Drain field size calculator](https://septicmetrics.com/tools/drain-field-size-calculator/): This calculator provides estimates only and should not be used as the sole basis for septic system design.
- [Septic tank pumping calculator](https://septicmetrics.com/tools/septic-pumping-calculator/): This calculator provides a planning estimate only. Have a septic professional measure your tank to decide when to pump it.
- [Are water softeners septic safe?](https://septicmetrics.com/products/septic-safe-water-softeners/): A water softener cleans itself with salty water, called brine, and that water has to go somewhere. In many rural homes, it goes into the septic system.
- [Is borax septic safe?](https://septicmetrics.com/products/is-borax-septic-safe/): Borax is sodium borate, a mineral used in laundry and cleaning. It turns up on plenty of "septic-safe" lists, which rarely explain why.
- [How much does a septic system cost?](https://septicmetrics.com/costs/septic-system-cost/): A national average won't tell you much here.
- [How much does a septic inspection cost?](https://septicmetrics.com/costs/septic-inspection-cost/): The price depends on how much the inspector actually does.
- [How much does an aerobic septic system cost?](https://septicmetrics.com/costs/aerobic-septic-system-cost/): Aerobic systems sit near the top of the price range, and people rarely pick one by choice. Usually the site needs it.
- [How to maintain an aerobic septic system](https://septicmetrics.com/maintenance/aerobic-septic-system-maintenance/): An aerobic treatment unit only treats wastewater as designed while its equipment works. Lose the air supply and the treatment stops.
- [What is a leach field?](https://septicmetrics.com/leach-fields/what-is-a-leach-field/): A leach field finishes the job the septic tank starts. The tank separates solids from liquid.
- [Replacing a leach field and what it costs](https://septicmetrics.com/leach-fields/replacing-a-leach-field/): A soggy yard doesn't automatically mean a new leach field. Too much water or one damaged line can cause the same symptoms.
- [How deep is a leach field?](https://septicmetrics.com/leach-fields/how-deep-is-a-leach-field/): It depends on the system type, the soil and your local rules. A general figure will only get you close, but the published ranges below show what's typical.
- [Septic system diagram with every part explained](https://septicmetrics.com/basics/septic-system-diagram/): Both drawings below show a conventional gravity system.
- [How to find your septic tank](https://septicmetrics.com/basics/how-to-find-your-septic-tank/): Pumping, inspections, any digging in the yard: they all start with knowing where the tank is. Most owners can narrow it down in an afternoon.
- [Signs of a failing septic system](https://septicmetrics.com/warning-signs/signs-of-septic-system-failure/): The EPA lists every sign below as a possible malfunction. None of them proves one on its own, since each can have more than one cause.
- [How often should you pump a septic tank?](https://septicmetrics.com/maintenance/how-often-to-pump-a-septic-tank/): No single interval suits every home. Three to five years is the usual range, and an inspection tells you where your own tank falls within it.
- [How a septic system works](https://septicmetrics.com/basics/how-septic-systems-work/): A conventional septic system comes down to two parts: a septic tank and a leach field (you'll also hear drain field or soil absorption field).

## Pages

- [Home](https://septicmetrics.com/): More than 1 in 5 US households depend on a septic system.
- [Septic system questions and answers](https://septicmetrics.com/faq/): Short answers to the questions homeowners ask most, with links to the full guides.
- [Terms of use](https://septicmetrics.com/terms/): By using this site, you agree to these terms.
- [Privacy policy](https://septicmetrics.com/privacy/): This policy explains what information this site collects and how it is used.
- [How we check facts](https://septicmetrics.com/editorial-policy/): Septic problems can involve sewage exposure, costly repairs and local rules, so we try to make every claim easy to check.
- [Contact](https://septicmetrics.com/contact/): Send corrections and feedback to .
- [Advertising and affiliate disclosure](https://septicmetrics.com/affiliate-disclosure/): Septic Metrics is paid for by advertising and, on some pages, affiliate links.
- [About](https://septicmetrics.com/about/): Septic Metrics explains how septic systems work, what they cost, how to look after them and what to do when something seems wrong.


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