Plastic septic tanks have become widespread in recent years. Much of its popularity can be attributed to its ease of manufacture, low cost compared to alternative effluent tank types, and ease of installation.

You can even find plastic septic tank models that sit on the ground. They are not pretty to look at, but you could disguise them and if the soil you live in is not suitable for an effluent tank, then an above-ground arrangement may be your only option.

What follows is a quick list of advantages and disadvantages that you should know about.

Advantages of the plastic septic tank

1. Plastic is a strong material and is not as likely to crack as other materials you will find on the market.
2. Plastic tanks that are suitable for a normal-size home are light enough for a few people to move around the property; whereas a concrete tank requires a crane.
3. These types of tanks are quite inexpensive due to their ease of manufacture and installation.
4. You don’t have to worry about rusting these tanks as there are no metal parts.
5. These tanks will also never corrode and will remain airtight as long as they are not abused.

Disadvantages of the plastic septic tank

1. Plastic is a very lightweight material and if buried incorrectly it will literally float to the surface of the ground.
2. Plastic is structurally weaker than concrete or cement, so it won’t be able to hold as much septic effluent as effluent tanks of similar size.
3. At the moment, plastic effluent tanks are not legal in all states or countries.
4. Damage can easily occur during installation because plastic is very light and falls off easily.

Plastic septic tanks are often relied upon when a cement effluent tank is not suitable for your property. For example, the ground may be too rocky or the area where the effluent tank should go is impossible to reach with a crane. There have been cases where plastic tanks were approved in states that normally do not allow them because there was no other alternative.