With 36% of Idaho residents having a septic tank system on their property, it’s a common question of whether or not to have a riser installed. Adding a riser to your septic tank allows for easier access to your septic system during pumping, repairs, and maintenance. Keep reading to learn about the benefits and potential downsides of installing a septic tank riser.
Understanding Septic Tank Risers
What is a septic riser? A septic tank riser is a concrete or plastic pipe that runs up to the surface of your yard from your septic tank opening underground. They allow you to easily locate, inspect, or pump your septic tank without digging up your yard. They’re made from durable materials that are built to withstand the elements you may encounter during cold Boise winters.
Most risers are one to two feet in diameter and two to four feet in length. However, the length will change depending on how far from ground level your tank lid is. Risers will nearly always be installed with new septic tanks, but many older tanks were not built with them.
Pros of Installing Septic Tank Risers
Installing a septic tank riser will offer many benefits when it comes to accessing and maintaining your septic tank. Without a riser, a contractor has to dig up your yard every three to five years to pump the septic tank. However, with a riser, they’ll easily be able to locate your septic tank and simply attach the pump hose to the lid without having to make a mess of your yard. They’ll also be able to easily perform maintenance on the tank, even when the ground is frozen during Idaho winters.
Having a septic tank riser installed will keep your future pumping bills lower due to the decrease in labor costs and digging fees. Contractors will be able to find the tank and get to work much faster, keeping labor fees to a minimum. They also won’t need heavy equipment as there’s no need for heavy-duty digging when you have a riser installed.
Septic tank risers are designed to blend into their surroundings but still offer a visual reminder of your septic system. This will remind you to schedule regular maintenance and pumping, which will prevent any clogs or other issues.
Cons of Installing Septic Tank Risers
While septic tank risers can be highly beneficial to your system, they come with a couple of downsides:
- Cost: Installing a septic tank will typically cost you between $200 and $400. This price includes materials and labor for the installation. While it may seem pricey initially, installing a septic tank riser will save you money in the long run as it reduces labor fees and digging costs during regular maintenance and pumping.
- Appearance: Most septic tank risers will stick out slightly from the ground, which may cause an unsightly appearance. However, you can have the riser installed so it comes just a couple of inches short of the surface of your lawn. This way, you can let a thin layer of soil and grass accumulate on top of it. This will hide it from view but will be easy to uncover once you’re due for septic service.
- Leaks: Septic tank risers are known to leak if the watertight seal is broken. During the cold Idaho winter season, they can shift or crack, allowing water to enter into the septic tank.
The Installation Process
Installing a riser is a simple, routine procedure. A technician will come to your home and dig up the lid of your septic tank. If you’re not sure where your tank is located, your technician can find it with a camera or a ground probe. Once the access hole of your tank is exposed, they’ll replace the septic tank’s lid with a riser, refill the ground, and place your lid at the top of the pipe.
Maintenance and Care Tips
It’s important to regularly maintain your septic tank riser to ensure it’s in good condition and doesn’t leak. Leaks will allow groundwater to get into your septic, which can result in your waste not dissolving and seeping through the surface.
The most common time for cracks or leaks to occur is after a frost. Check your riser by pulling the cap off and running a hose around the riser to check for infiltration. If water is entering your septic system, you’ll need to contact a plumbing repair service.
It’s also common for septic tank risers to incur damage during lawn maintenance. When mowing your lawn, running over the riser or bumping into it can cause it to crack or break. Keep aware of the location of your riser and avoid hitting it with lawnmowers, weed whackers, or other tools.
Your riser should also be cleaned annually. There is a filter locked between the septic system and the riser cap that should be removed and cleaned. Failing to clean this filter can result in debris or acidic water entering your septic system. You’ll also want to spray it once a year with clean water to get rid of any materials that may have entered it.
Need a Septic Riser Installed or Repaired? Call Express Plumbing, Heating, & Air!
Installing a septic tank riser allows for easy septic system maintenance. Technicians can easily locate, pump, and inspect your septic tank without having to dig up your yard to find it. You’ll have more money in your pocket thanks to the materials and labor costs saved during your technician’s visit.
At Express Plumbing Heating & Air, we can have your riser installed in no time with the help of our experienced professionals. With a family-run management team and trusted technicians, we can assist you with all of your plumbing and heating needs. You can also contact us for any repairs, cleaning, or maintenance needed for your septic tank riser. Is your riser leaking? We’re ready to help!
Resources:
https://www.southernsanitarysystems.com/what-you-should-know-about-septic-tank-risers#:~:text=A%20septic%20tank%20riser%20is,without%20digging%20up%20your%20yard.
https://www.felixseptic.com/blog/2019/january/what-is-a-septic-tank-riser-/
https://supeckseptic.com/how-to-care-for-your-septic-tank-risers/
https://www.angi.com/articles/septic-tank-risers-save-you-time-and-money.htm
