You might think that your home's septic system is one of those things that will last forever if you just need to keep it pumped and maintained. However, that's not really the case. In fact, your septic system may need to be replaced in certain instances. It's important to understand the expected lifespan and other signs that your septic system needs to be replaced. Here's a look at a few common reasons to replace your septic system.

Age Matters

Most septic systems are designed to last for a few decades, but as they approach thirty or so, it's often time to start thinking about replacement. You'll want to have your septic tank contractor inspect the system the next time you have it pumped to see if it's showing its age. Signs of wear in a septic system that's several decades old are an indication that it's time to start thinking about replacement.

Family Changes

If you bought the house when it was just you and your spouse but now you have several children, some of them adult children, along with grandchildren, the increase in people in the house will also lead to increased water demand. Every septic system is designed to keep up with a certain amount of wastewater flow, so you may find that your existing system is simply too small for the size of your family. 

In those cases, you'll struggle with frequent overflows and backups, and you'll need septic tank pumping far more frequently than is typically necessary. If that happens, you should talk with your septic system contractor about replacement with a larger-capacity system.

Damaged Tank

Regardless of your septic tank's age or capacity, sometimes it can suffer damage for reasons that may not be apparent to you. This damage is usually uncovered during routine septic system inspections, which is part of what makes those inspections so important. If your septic system contractor has discovered that your septic tank is cracked or otherwise damaged, you may find it best to replace it so that you don't face similar problems again later.

These are just a few of the times when you should consider a septic system replacement. Your septic maintenance technician can help you with any other potential indications that replacement may be necessary, so keep up with routine inspections and pumping so that problems can be identified in their earliest stages, potentially allowing you to replace the system before it fails entirely.