I'm renovating my bathroom and discovered that my new expansion will go over a buried septic tank I didn't even know about. The contractors believe the tank needs to be filled with gravel or concrete to ensure stability for the extension. However, they say it has to be drained first, which will cost around $600. The odd part is, this tank hasn't been active in at least 50 years. Considering its age, wouldn't it be empty by now due to decomposition and evaporation? This $600 charge seems steep, especially for just pumping it out. Is draining really necessary, or is there another option?
3 Answers
$600 sounds reasonable for that kind of service, especially since there could be unknowns in there. In my experience, not getting it pumped could lead to bigger problems later on. It's worth considering the cost relative to the rest of your renovation budget and the potential risk of having something unstable underneath your new bathroom.
Honestly, it's probably best not to cut corners on this one. While you might think the tank is empty after all these years, you never know what could be down there. Spending $600 to ensure everything is stable and safe seems like a smart move—it'd be a shame to risk your new addition just to save a few bucks.
Totally agree! Even if it feels like a lot now, think about the peace of mind you'll have knowing it's done properly.
Have they actually checked the tank? It might already be filled in as is standard practice when decommissioning them. As for the cost, $600 does seem high considering I usually pay around $250 for the same service in my area. But it might not hurt to just get it done rather than risk further issues.
Exactly! It might seem high now, but fixing foundation issues later would cost way more.