Plastic Vs Concrete Septic Tank | Plastic Septic Tanks | Concrete Septic Tanks

Plastic Septic Tanks

A plastic septic tank is a waterproof container constructed of plastic, through which blackwater from cistern or pour-flush toilets and greywater through a conduit from within a structure or an outdoor toilet flows for initial treatment. The majority of plastic tanks are oblong in form and highly ribbed on the sides.

These ribs provide them the strength to withstand the stresses imposed by the volume of water and other items inside. It also helps them endure the strain that the soil and water exert on them. The ribs also assist the soil in ‘grabbing’ and ‘holding’ the tank.

This is significant because a smooth-sided tank in the ground is more prone to slip out under certain conditions, such as super-saturated soil caused by severe rainfall.

Also Read:How to Care for Your Septic System | Inspect and Pump Frequently | Use Water Efficiently | Properly Dispose of Waste | Maintain Your Drainfield

Pros of Plastic Septic Tanks

Here, the different advantages of plastic septic tanks are as follows.

1. I believe the most significant advantages of a plastic tank over other choices are weight and affordability. The weight of a 1000 gallon polyethylene tank is little more than 300 pounds.
2. This implies you may buy anything from one of the large home improvement stores and transfer it with a truck or trailer yourself.
3. That would eliminate the cost of having a much larger tank transported, as well as the heavy machinery required to lift and place it in the ground.
4. If you’re putting the tank in a difficult-to-reach area that requires a large vehicle, the capacity to transport it in the back of your pickup truck may be the determining factor.
5. Plastic tanks also offer the advantage of being less vulnerable to cracking due to ground freezing since they have some natural flex.
6. Plastic septic tanks are less expensive to buy and install than concrete septic tanks.
7. Plastic is obviously lot lighter than concrete, thus plastic septic tanks are considerably simpler to transport to your property.
8. Plastic septic tanks are easier to construct than concrete septic tanks since they do not require heavy machinery. Plastic septic tanks may also be installed in a number of settings.
9. Corrosion resistance: Plastic septic tanks are impervious to corrosion caused by water.
10. Plastic is more flexible than concrete, which implies that plastic septic tanks are less likely to break than concrete tanks.

Cons of Plastic Septic Tanks.

Here, the different disadvantages of plastic septic tanks are as follows.

1. There are a few factors to consider that may lead you to reconsider your decision to use a plastic tank. If you reside in a very wet region, the tank may move or even pop up over time as a result of the moist ground.
2. Naturally, this will harm the system and prevent you from using it until it is fixed. This will not only be expensive, but also inconvenient.
3. They can also get deformed by the forces of the earth surrounding them, despite being highly ribbed to make them stronger than a smooth-sided tank.
4. This also implies that the tank cannot be positioned in an area where it may be hit by a vehicle.
5. Plastic tanks are more easily crushed than concrete tanks. They might be crushed by the weight of the earth.
6. When vehicles drive over places where plastic tanks have been buried, they can sometimes break.
7. Plastic tanks are sensitive to changes in adjacent soil conditions or vibrations, and they may shatter or burst as a result.
8. Concrete tanks, on the other hand, are considerably less vulnerable to environmental deterioration.
9. Plastic septic tanks are more prone to breaking or warping than concrete septic tanks for a variety of reasons.
10. Higher maintenance: Plastic tanks may require a little more attention than concrete tanks.
11. Concrete septic tanks have a shorter lifespan than concrete septic tanks, however this is not always the case.

Also Read:Skillion Roof House | Types of Skillion Roof | How to Build Skillion Roof | Advantages & Disadvantages

Concrete Septic Tanks

 

Septic tanks made of concrete are quite frequent in both old and the new construction. These can indeed be pre-cast or built on site. The hole is excavated in the property and a shape (similar to a mold) is made in the hole whenever built on-site.

The concrete then is poured into the moulid and allowed to harden and cure while still in the moulid. A precast septic tank is also available. These are manufactured elsewhere and delivered to your home for installation.

Consider concrete barricades used as motorway dividers during construction, or sewer pipes, or even bridge components: they were all manufactured somewhere other than the construction site.

Molds for the tank or other concrete products are created by pre-cast businesses, who then pour the concrete and store it on site until it is supplied to a construction project.

Also Read:How to Care for Your Septic System | Inspect and Pump Frequently | Use Water Efficiently | Properly Dispose of Waste | Maintain Your Drainfield

Pros of Concrete Septic Tanks

Here, the different advantages of concrete septic tanks are as follows.

1. Concrete septic tanks provide a number of advantages over plastic or fibreglass septic tanks, including the fact that they are stronger and endure longer.
2. Concrete is impervious to corrosion, rust, and disintegration. It can last endlessly as long as it does not crack or split.
3. Additionally, concrete sewage tanks are more durable than plastic or fibreglass septic tanks. They are more resistant to both internal and external forces than alternatives.
4. The immense weight of a concrete tank has a possible disadvantage, as you can read about below, but it also has a good side because it means they are far less likely to shift in the ground.
5. Septic tanks made of concrete are far more robust than those made of plastic.
6. Concrete tanks are durable and last for a long time. A concrete septic tank can survive up to 40 years with proper maintenance and regular draining.
7. Environmentally resistant: Changes in the environment, such as shifting soil conditions, tree roots, or other issues, rarely harm concrete septic tanks. It is unaffected by driving over the dirt where a concrete tank was buried.
8. Concrete sewage tanks don’t require as much maintenance as plastic septic tanks because they’re so durable.

Also Read:Eco Friendly Septic Systems | What Is Eco-Friendly Septic Systems | Component of Effective Eco-Friendly Septic System | Steps to an Environmentally Friendly Septic System

Cons of Concrete Septic Tanks

Here, the different disadvantages of concrete septic tanks are as follows.

1. Concrete septic tanks have certain drawbacks.
2. First, they can fracture or split, enabling sewage to flow out although this generally doesn’t happen for many years. This was the case when we bought the tank at our house.
3. In addition, the seller knew the roof had a fracture in the upper right corner and that he would not be able to sell the property without fixing the roof.
4. Some people may not find the weight to be a concern, while others do. Weighing in at around 8,500 pounds, the average 1,000-gallon concrete tank (or 4 tons). A big truck with a hoist or crane will be needed to deliver and install this piece of equipment.
5. It is more expensive to acquire and install concrete septic tanks than it is to use plastic tanks.
6. Installing concrete takes longer and requires the use of heavy equipment since it is heavier and less maneuverable than plastic.
7. Concrete tanks, unlike plastic tanks, are susceptible to corrosion and cracking as they age. Especially if they aren’t well maintained, this is more likely to happen.
8. Repairing a concrete septic tank can be more difficult than repairing a plastic one, at least in the long run.
9. Septic tanks made of concrete are hefty. As a result of their enormous weight, they require a variety of heavy equipment during installation, which adds to the cost.
10. When left unattended, these septic systems will degrade and eventually collapse.
11. Not correctly combined while casting might result in fractures.
12. They are more prone to leaks than plastic tanks.
13. Concrete has a high porosity. Consequently, the installation time is extended since it must be lined. If you want to avoid leaks, you’ll need to change the liner as well.
14. Cracks might allow roots to develop into the tank, causing it to lose its integrity.
15. Cracks in the tanks might pose a health risk to the surroundings.
16. Before using this tank, the lids as well as base might have to be closed.
17. More costly than polyurethane foam.
18. Rust and corrosion-prone.
19. Repair/maintenance is difficult. Hazardous garbage might leak into your home if it is damaged and is not properly disposed.
20. A difficult and expensive task to fix.
21. Withdrawal is complicated and expensive once the product has reached the end of its useful life and requires replacement or discarded of.

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