Septic tank repair costs $1,830 on average, but the price can vary from $629 to $3,038 depending on the type of repair, tank size, permits, and more.
The average septic tank repair costs between $629 and $3,038, and the average is $1,830 for the inspection and repairs. A basic inspection and small repairs, like fixing the lid or filters, will be closer to the lower end of the range. Major repairs, including replacing a septic pump or the septic tank lines, will cost more.
Septic tanks hold solid waste and wastewater, separating it so the wastewater can be filtered and dispersed into soil in the leach field behind your home. So when there’s a leaky pipe and an overly full septic tank or other issues, you’ll need to address them quickly. Otherwise, you could be dealing with a smelly and expensive mess.
While people are likely to pay for repairs based on what exact repairs are needed, you may also see varying septic tank repair costs based on the type of septic system you have or the size of your tank or leach field. Septic tank repairs aren’t DIY-friendly, so you’ll want to consider the cost of not just materials but also labor, and these repairs often require permits that will add to the total cost.
There are different types of septic systems to suit varying property types. So if your system is worse for wear, you may spend more to replace certain septic systems, like mound systems or aerobic treatment units, compared to conventional anaerobic septic systems.
| System Type | Average Cost for Replacement |
|---|---|
| Anaerobic | $3,000–$8,000 |
| ATUs/aerobic | $10,000–$20,000 |
| Mound | $10,000–$20,000 |
| Chamber | $5,000–$12,000 |
| Sand filter | $7,000–$18,000 |
| Drip | $8,000–$18,000 |
| Built wetland | $5,000–$12,000 |
| Evapotranspiration | $10,000–$15,000 |
Septic tanks are usually made from plastic, concrete, or fiberglass, and the type of material can impact repair and replacement costs. Plastic is usually the least expensive, with repairs starting at around $150 and new tanks costing around $500 to $2,000. Fiberglass is usually the most expensive, with repairs starting at $750 and new tanks coming in around $1,200 to $7,500, not including labor.
| Material | Average Cost for Repairs |
|---|---|
| Plastic | $150–$2,000 |
| Concrete | $700–$5,000 |
| Fiberglass | $750–$7,500 |
The size of the septic tank and system can influence repair costs, as a bigger system requires more time and materials to fix or replace. An average three- to four-bedroom home spanning 2,000 to 2,500 square feet needs a tank with a capacity of about 1,250 gallons, and this size tank will cost about $1,500 to $4,000 to repair, including parts and labor.
Septic systems contain toxic sewer gasses and raw sewage, so repairs need to be left to licensed pros with the right equipment to get the job done safely. You’ll most likely be charged a total project rate rather than seeing the cost broken down into parts and labor. However, if you are charged hourly, expect to spend about $125 to $250 per hour.
Because improperly installed or repaired septic systems can harm the local environment, particularly waterways, you’ll likely need to secure permits before beginning your project. Building permit costs range from around $460 to $2,770 on average for septic system replacement, or you may spend around $20 to $50 for smaller repairs.
Your total cost for repairing your septic tank will also depend heavily on the kind of work your septic system needs to get it back into prime operating condition.
| Repair Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Inspection | $100–$1,175 |
| Lid | $150–$500 |
| Baffles | $300–$900 |
| Filter | $200–$300 |
| Pump | $250–$1,000 |
| Line | $1,000–$4,200 |
| New tank | $3,000–$9,500 |
You can expect to pay as little as $100 to $200 to get an experienced septic pro to come out and thoroughly inspect every major element of your septic system. That includes the tank, the pipes leading to the tank, the pump, and the drainfield. However, you’ll pay $250 to $1,175 for the cost of a sewer camera inspection, which is more advanced than a standard inspection.
Scheduling regular septic system maintenance helps you spot initial indications of damage or future problems, preventing expensive repair work and lengthy household disruptions. Regular maintenance visits cost $300 to $500.
Pumping your septic tank every three to five years is one of the most important septic maintenance tasks. When you combine that with flushing only approved items (toilet paper and waste) and avoiding driving over your drain field, you have a recipe for a long-lasting septic system.
Repairing a septic tank lid costs $150 to $500. If the lid is cracked or can’t close properly, it can let excess water and debris into the tank, which can overwhelm the septic system. It can also allow toxic sewer gas to leak out into your yard.
Baffles cost $300 to $900 to replace. They’re the inlet and outlet pipes to and from the septic tank. Wastewater from your home goes through the inlet baffle to the tank for filtering. Then, the filtered wastewater exits through the outlet baffle and goes to the leach field for treatment.
At a cost of $200 to $300, a new filter can help eliminate the risk of a backup or clog before it becomes a more serious issue and a budget-breaking repair.
Septic pump repairs cost $250 to $400 on average, and you’ll pay $1,000 or more to replace them. Common pump problems involve the electrical system that makes it run and its controls. It’s important to use a septic pro who has experience in repairing pumps in order to prevent damage to yourself, your septic system, or your property.
Your septic system’s pipes provide the crucial link between your home and the septic tank itself, as well as between the tank and the leach field. If some part of the septic line fails, leaks, or breaks, you’ll pay $1,500 on average to repair it. For a new line, the price can range from $1,000 to $4,200, or $50 to $250 per linear foot.
When the tank itself fails or reaches the end of its life, expect to pay between $3,000 and $9,500 to replace it. Approximately $600 to $4,000 is the average cost for the tank itself, with another $500 to $1,000 covering the materials (topsoil, fill, gravel, and stone) needed to fix the tank firmly in the ground and keep it stable.
The average and range of costs for septic tank repairs vary widely across the nation, depending on your location. Average repair costs alone range from a low of $800 in Texas to a high of $6,300 in California.
| Location | Average Cost | Average Range |
|---|---|---|
| Long Beach, California | $6,300 | $2,100–$11,500 |
| Denver, Colorado | $1,600 | $800–$3,000 |
| St. Louis, Missouri | $3,200 | $1,700–$4,700 |
| Ann Arbor, Michigan | $1,000 | $600–$1,500 |
| New York City, New York | $2,400 | $600–$1,500 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | $3,000 | $900–$5,000 |
| Raleigh, North Carolina | $1,600 | $900–$2,700 |
| Dallas, Texas | $800 | $400–$1,300 |
Undergoing septic repairs if you’re not an expert is dangerous and can threaten your health and your family’s health. When improperly installed or repaired, septic system components can result in polluted water, property damage, and the need for expensive repair work. If a DIY goes especially badly, your family, pets, and visitors to your home can get seriously sick. For these reasons, you should always hire a local septic tank repair pro to work on your septic system.
Larger septic tank repair jobs can put a dent in your home maintenance budget. To reduce your costs over time, consider the following strategies:
Call a local septic tank company to clean the tank regularly.
Ask your septic pro about adding septic tank treatments to help the natural bacteria.
Pump the tank every three to five years.
Use less water by installing high-efficiency appliances.
Make sure all drains are pointing away from the leach field.
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
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When your septic system is failing, you’ll probably smell it. Common signs of a septic system failure include sewage odors in the home or around the yard, flooding in the yard above the septic tank or in the leach field, and wastewater or even raw sewage backing up into your home’s drains.
The best way to prevent septic tank problems from occurring in the first place is to arrange for regular annual inspections. This lets the septic tank pros spot potential issues before they develop. It’s also important to have your septic system pumped every three to five years, or more frequently if your pro suggests it. Finally, don’t dispose of inappropriate substances in your septic system.
A septic system will typically last about 20 to 30 years, although the lifespan can stretch further to 40 years with proper care. Proper septic system care includes having the tank pumped every few years, scheduling cleanings and inspections annually, and conserving water. Also, keep your septic system in good health by only flushing human waste and toilet paper, and never pour fats, grease, oils, or coffee grounds down the drains.
Before you hire a septic repair pro, make sure you get three written quotes from local companies to help you evaluate qualified candidates. Ask each company to provide proof of licensure and insurance. Finally, when you decide to hire a specific pro or company, ask for a written contract that sets out all the essential terms, including specific work expectations, a timeline, what permits are needed, who is responsible for obtaining permits, and clear payment details, including due dates.
Depending on the size and location of your septic tank repair job, you may want to let the septic pros finish before tackling other backyard work. However, in some cases, it’s not a bad idea to coordinate between your providers if the timing’s right and your septic repair pro says it’s safe to do so. For instance, if the septic repair work is happening in the fall, you might want to take advantage of the opportunity to prepare your backyard landscaping for winter, or in spring, start mulching the garden beds.
