Home Septic tank replacement
Tank replacement
Septic tank replacement in Cleveland, TN
Most septic tanks outlast the pipes around them, but steel tanks rust out and old concrete tanks crack. When a tank can’t be repaired, we replace it under the right permit and connect it to your existing field if the field is still sound.
Steel and cracked tanks
Permit handled
Field protected
Quick answer
When does a septic tank need to be replaced?
A tank needs replacing when it’s structurally failing: a rusted-through steel tank, a concrete tank with major cracks or a collapsing top, or a tank too small for the home. Broken baffles and lids can usually be repaired instead. Replacement typically costs a few thousand dollars and usually needs a permit.
Steel
Tanks that rust out
A few $1,000s
Typical replacement range
Permit
Check with TDEC first
Repair or replace
Can your septic tank be repaired instead of replaced?
| Problem | Usually | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Broken baffle | Repair | A new sanitary tee fixes it |
| Cracked or missing lid | Repair | New lid or riser |
| Small crack above the water line | Repair | Can often be sealed |
| Rusted-through steel tank | Replace | Collapse risk |
| Major cracks below the water line | Replace | Groundwater in, sewage out |
| Tank too small for the home | Replace or add | Permit sets the size |
The process
How does septic tank replacement work?
- Inspect and confirm. Pump the old tank and check the field.
- Check the permit. We confirm what TDEC, or Hamilton County Groundwater, requires.
- Remove or close the old tank. Pumped, then removed or crushed and filled.
- Set the new tank. Level, sized for the home, with risers to grade.
- Reconnect and inspect. Inlet and outlet connected, inspected before cover.
Cost
What drives the cost of a new septic tank?
Tank size and material
Concrete, plastic or fiberglass; bigger costs more.
Access
How close equipment can get; fences and slopes.
Soil and rock
Rock near the ridges takes longer to dig.
Permit and inspection
Fees set by TDEC or the county.
We answer these calls across Cleveland (37311, 37312, 37323), Charleston and Calhoun, Georgetown, McDonald and Hopewell, Ooltewah, Harrison, and Benton and Ocoee, across Bradley, Hamilton, Polk and McMinn counties. See all service areas.
From our crew
What tanks do we replace most around Cleveland?
Replacement jobs follow the age of the house.
- Steel tanks from decades ago. The tops rust thin first.
- Cracked concrete tanks. Often on sloped lots where the ground shifted.
- Tanks too small after additions. Bedrooms added, tank never changed.
- Tanks under driveways. Crushed by years of traffic.
FAQ
Questions we hear about this
How much does it cost to replace a septic tank?
Typically a few thousand dollars, depending on size, material, access and permits.
Do I need a permit to replace a septic tank in Tennessee?
Usually yes. Check with TDEC, or Hamilton County Groundwater.
Can I keep my drain field if I replace the tank?
Often, yes, if the field is still working. We check it first.
How long does tank replacement take?
Usually a day or two on site, plus permit time.
Are plastic septic tanks good?
They’re light and don’t rust. The permit and site decide what’s used.
Related: Septic repair · Older septic systems · Septic system cost in TN · TDEC septic permits · Septic excavation
Last updated October 2, 2026.
Think your tank needs replacing?
Call and we’ll check whether it can be repaired first.