A septic system should last a long time, depending on how well it’s maintained and used, Madeira said. “It should function your entire lifetime and beyond,” he said.

Dear Robert: For new construction -- a brand-new house with a brand-new septic system -- the cost will depend on the system's design and how large a house you're building.

"Don't flush kitty litter," and more quick-but-essential expert tips for keeping keep your septic system running well—and saving your home from disaster.

Looking for inexpensive septic system alternatives, I turned to the Watson Wick septic system as a low-cost, easy-to-build, clean and healthy option.

The Ecoflo linear biofilter is the first septic system of its category to use eco-design to maximize its individual components in a sustainable way.

ASK THE BUILDER | You never ever want to put paint, grease or chlorine bleach into a septic tank. The only thing that should go into the tank is waste from your body and toilet paper.

If your septic tank gets clogged, your entire home plumbing system can suffer. Here’s exactly how to unclog a septic tank to avoid problems in the future.