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Septic Tank Covers
According to the Environmental Protection Agency approximately 25 percent of all United States households rely on a septic tank for processing their wastewater.  Consequently, somewhere on their property, these households have a septic tank removable lid, called a tank cover or manhole cover, which serves as the tank’s only access point.  Being visible, septic tank covers are the only barrier to outside septic tank contamination and leaks of nasty sewage odors, making the choice of a cover an important accessory to your septic tank system.  Most septic tank installers recommend concrete covers with decorative additions for their functionality and appearance.

Concrete septic tank covers are both durable and strong.  They will last for years and can support heavy weights without breaking or cracking.  The only drawback of a concrete cover is that the sheer weight of the cover makes them expensive and difficult to install; but, most installers will tell you that the installation of a concrete cover is worth the durability and lack of maintenance issues that arise from covers made of other materials. 

Alternate materials for septic tank covers include steel or plastic.  However, both of these options tend to be less durable than their concrete counterparts and may have other flaws as well.  Steel covers can rust, while plastic ones have a tendency to break.  So even though these materials are less expensive, the maintenance and replacement costs will eventually cost as much as a concrete cover.

As for the decorative aspect of septic tank covers, there are both practical and aesthetic reasons to spruce-up your cover.  For instance, you can buy decorative lids that are specially designed to look like large rocks.  These are useful for covering large, bulbous septic tank covers as well as above-ground venting systems.  Other decorative additions for covering unsightly or overly-exposed septic tank covers are planters and birdbaths, both adding curb appeal to your home.

Since septic tank covers are often buried below grass or bushes, you’ll want to make sure don’t run-over it with a lawn mower or car, or have it in a location where children might trip and fall over it during play.  Make sure you choose wisely when you choose a septic tank cover and consult a qualified septic tank service provider to make sure the one you choose will adequately serve your needs as you’ll have to live with that decision for quite some time.

Blog post provided by:  Marietta GA Septic Tank Service Specialists