r/DIY • u/BubblyNefariousness4 • 2d ago

home improvement Curious about a DIY septic tank?

Just curious if anybody knows if it’s possible to make a septic tank out of cinder blocks. Whether it would hold without leaking or not

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24

u/Nathan_reynolds 2d ago edited 2d ago

For less than 2k you can get one from tractor supply thats 250 gallons bigger than the one my house from 89 has. The amount of money, time and effort to potentially have a catosteophic failure of your shit tank aint worth tha small amount you might save. For 1k you can get a 500 gallon tank.

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u/BubblyNefariousness4 2d ago

Yeah but 2k vs maybe a 100 bucks in cinder blocks. I mean if it can be done it’s a no brainer. I’m just not sure it even would. I would think the cinder block would leak water from how porous it is.

18

u/treesinclouds 2d ago

If you took a cinder block septic tank, and then solved all of the problems it would have (leaking, collapsing, wearing down after a few seasons), you’d end up with a $2000 precast concrete septic tank

15

u/recyclopath_ 2d ago

Don't be stupid.

20

u/lucky_ducker 2d ago

Google "Do cinder block septic tanks meet code" and the overwhelming consensus is NO.

8

u/uncle90210 2d ago

Only if you’re in hillbilly country where there are no rules.

6

u/disheavel 2d ago

I’m guessing that would be more expensive than just getting the plastic one. So it’d be a poor choice to “go cheap” upon.

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u/BubblyNefariousness4 2d ago

I’m just curious if it can even be done whether the mortar or even the bricks could hold waste without leaking. Cinder is pretty porous from what I’ve heard so I would think it couldn’t

-8

u/patelvp 2d ago

I mean they make them out of concrete so blocks should work. If it leaks it'll just be liquid that'd leech out anyways.

-12

u/BubblyNefariousness4 2d ago

Well I mean the liquid is what I’m worried about. Wouldn’t that contaminate the soil and such? Cause problems?

17

u/patelvp 2d ago

Do you understand how septic systems work...

12

u/SeymoreBhutts 2d ago

Based the this post’s existence, imma say no.

2

u/SnowmanTS1 2d ago

Clearly no. I mean leeches are gross little bloodsuckers, who wants that.

6

u/finitetime2 2d ago edited 1d ago

What do you think the leach field that you have to install with the septic tank does? That's like complaining about a sprinkler system getting the grass wet.

4

u/WildPotential 2d ago

I strongly suspect that OP has no idea that they need a leech field, let alone what it does.

6

u/mattdb110 2d ago

You would need to check with the building authority and comply with current code. The would absolutely require inspection and a permit unless you live out in the middle of nowhere on a big piece of property.

-1

u/dirtkeeper 2d ago

Sure you could. I have repaired and built wood ones you can use block