Concrete, polyethylene, or fiberglass tank, which should I choose?

Concrete is heavy, durable, and the traditional Maine choice. Polyethylene (HDPE) is lighter and seamless for tight access lots. Fiberglass (FRP) resists corrosion in wet ground. We weigh watertightness, lifespan, and access on your lot and give you a straight recommendation.

What size septic tank do I need for my home?

Tank size comes from bedroom count. A three bedroom home typically calls for a 1,000 to 1,250 gallon tank, and a four bedroom home moves up to 1,500 gallons. We confirm the sizing against your actual water use before we order.

Do I need a conventional, aerobic, or mound system?

That depends on your soil and water table. Well drained lots take a conventional gravity system. Wet lots, shallow bedrock, or small parcels often need an aerobic treatment unit or an engineered mound to meet the four foot separation to groundwater.

What is a perc test and do I need one first?

A soil percolation test measures how fast water drains and confirms the seasonal high water table. It sets the drainfield size and is required before Penobscot County will permit a system. We run it as the first step of every install.

How much does a full septic system cost to install?

A full conventional system for a three or four bedroom home in the Bangor area typically runs $3,500 to $12,500. Advanced aerobic and mound systems run $10,000 to $20,000 because of the pumps and engineered soil beds. You get a firm written number after a free site evaluation.

How long does an installation take?

Most conventional installs take one to three working days on site once the county permit is in hand. Perc testing, permitting, and inspection add lead time up front, so we recommend calling several weeks before you need the system in service.

What permits and approvals does a septic install require?

Maine septic work runs through a licensed site evaluator and the local plumbing inspector, with a soil evaluation and HHE-200 application on file. We handle the perc test, the permit paperwork, and the as built record for you from start to finish.

How often should the tank be pumped?

The EPA recommends pumping every three to five years depending on tank size and household water use. Regular pumping protects the drainfield, which is the most expensive part of the system to replace, so it pays for itself over time.

Do I need a septic inspection before selling my house?

Yes, most buyers and lenders in the Bangor market require a point of sale inspection. We check the baffles, effluent filter, sludge depth, and drainfield condition, then provide the written report the closing needs.

Septic Tank Installation in Bangor, ME

The Right Septic System for Your Bangor Property

Name: Bookjs
Address: 1130 Broadway, Bangor, ME, 04401, US
Telephone: (207) 556-6455

Concrete, polyethylene, and fiberglass tanks sized to your household, plus drainfields, aerobic units, and perc testing. Free site evaluations across Bangor and Penobscot County.

Call (207) 556-6455 Get a Free Site Evaluation

Free site evaluations
County permit ready
Licensed and insured

Tank Buyer's Guide

Comparisons and pointers to help you pick the right tank and system for your lot.

Concrete, Polyethylene, or Fiberglass: Choosing a Septic Tank

July 1, 2026

Comparing septic tank materials in Bangor, ME

Once you know you need a new tank, the next question is what it should be made of. The three common choices, concrete, polyethylene, and fiberglass, all hold wastewater and all pass inspection when installed right, but they behave differently in Maine ground. Here is how to think through the decision before you commit to a tank you will keep for thirty years or more.

Concrete: The Heavy, Traditional Choice

Concrete is still the default across Penobscot County, and for good reason. A concrete tank is heavy enough that it will not float in a high water table, and a well cast unit lasts for decades. The tradeoffs are weight and cracking. It takes machinery to set a concrete tank, so access to the install spot matters, and older or poorly cast tanks can crack and leak over time. For most standard lots with room to work, concrete is a dependable pick.

Polyethylene: Light and Seamless

Polyethylene (HDPE) tanks are molded in one piece, so there are no seams to leak, and they are light enough to place on lots where a concrete truck and boom cannot reach. That makes them a strong fit for tight or wooded parcels. The catch is buoyancy. A plastic tank can float if the water table is high and the tank is not properly ballasted, so the install has to account for it. Done right, a poly tank is a clean, corrosion proof option.

Fiberglass: Corrosion Proof in Wet Ground

Fiberglass (FRP) tanks split the difference. They resist the corrosion that can attack concrete in acidic or wet soil, they are lighter than concrete, and they are strong. They tend to cost more than the other two, and like polyethylene they need proper anchoring where groundwater is high. For a wet lot where you want long corrosion resistance, fiberglass earns its price.

Match the Tank to Your Lot

There is no single best material, only the best material for your soil, your access, and your budget. A dry lot with good access near the Broadway Historic District might be an easy concrete job, while a wet, wooded parcel out toward Holden could call for poly or fiberglass with anchoring. The perc test and site evaluation tell us which way to lean before you spend a dollar. You can read more on our new septic system installation page, or contact us with the details of your lot.

Thinking about a new tank for your Bangor property? Call Bookjs at (207) 556-6455 for a free site evaluation and a straight recommendation.

Read the full article

Choosing the Right System Type for Your Property

One local crew for every part of an onsite wastewater system, from the first perc test to the finished drainfield. The right system depends on your soil, your water table, and how many bedrooms you run.

New Septic System Installation

Full design and install of the tank, distribution box, and drainfield, sized from bedroom count so a three bedroom home gets a 1,000 to 1,250 gallon tank.

Septic Tank Replacement

Remove a cracked or failed tank and set a new watertight concrete, polyethylene, or fiberglass unit, most often a 1,000 to 1,500 gallon tank matched to the household.

Drainfield and Leach Field Installation

Gravel trench or plastic chamber soil absorption fields, sized from the perc rate so treated effluent disperses without surfacing or backing up.

Aerobic Treatment Unit (ATU)

An oxygen fed unit certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 40, a strong fit for small lots or poor soils where a conventional gravity drainfield will not pass.

Perc Test and Site Evaluation

Soil percolation testing that measures drainage speed, confirms the seasonal water table, and sets the drainfield size the county health department will permit.

Pumping, Inspection, and D-Box Repair

Routine pumping every three to five years per EPA guidance, point of sale inspections, and distribution box repair to keep flow even across the laterals.

Bookjs provides septic tank installation in Bangor, ME, from new septic system installation and tank replacement to drainfield construction, aerobic treatment unit (ATU) setup, perc testing and site evaluation, distribution box repair, and routine septic tank pumping. Picking the right system starts with your soil and your bedroom count, and we walk you through concrete, polyethylene, and fiberglass tanks before anything gets dug. We install across the neighborhoods off Broadway, the Tree Streets, and the Broadway Historic District, out to the edge of ZIP 04401.

This site is built as a tank and system buyer's guide because the choice matters more than most homeowners expect. A conventional gravity system that works fine on a well drained lot near Ohio Street can fail on a wet lot with a high water table, where an aerobic unit or an engineered mound is the only design the Penobscot County health department will permit. We size every tank from the home, so a typical three bedroom house gets a 1,000 to 1,250 gallon tank while a four bedroom home moves up to 1,500 gallons.

Tank material is the next decision, and each option has a real tradeoff. Concrete tanks are heavy, long lasting, and the traditional choice for Maine winters. Polyethylene (HDPE) tanks are lighter and seamless, which helps on tight access lots. Fiberglass (FRP) tanks resist corrosion and rust in wet ground. We help you weigh watertightness, lifespan, and install access along Hammond Street and the older lots near Union Street before you commit to a tank you will keep for decades.

Every job follows the same clear path. We run a soil percolation (perc) test and site evaluation, pull the county permit, set the tank and distribution box, build the drainfield to the perc rate, and backfill to grade with the riser lids left at or near the surface for easy future pumping. You get a written estimate before we break ground, and an as built record when we finish, the same paperwork a future buyer and lender will ask for near the State Street and Mount Hope Avenue area.

Sized from your homeTank gallons and drainfield area come from bedroom count and your perc rate, not a guess.
Three tank materialsConcrete, polyethylene, and fiberglass, chosen for your soil, access, and budget.
Permit and perc handledWe run the perc test and carry the Penobscot County paperwork from evaluation to as built.
Licensed and insuredA licensed, insured local crew, glad to share our details on request.

What Different System Types Cost to Install

Septic pricing depends on the tank you choose, your soil, and the drainfield the perc test calls for. A straight tank swap sits at the low end, a full conventional system covers most homes, and advanced aerobic or mound systems run higher because they add pumps, aeration, and engineered sand beds for poor soils. The ranges below are typical for the Bangor area, and we put the firm number in writing after a free site evaluation.

Septic Tank Replacement$3,500 to $8,500 installed	Full Conventional System$3,500 to $12,500 installed	Aerobic or Mound System$10,000 to $20,000 installed
New 1,000 to 1,500 gallon tank Concrete, polyethylene, or fiberglass Get estimate	Tank, D-box, and drainfield Sized to your bedroom count Get estimate	NSF/ANSI 40 advanced treatment Fits poor soils or a high water table Get estimate

Neighborhoods and Towns We Serve Near Bangor

We install and service septic systems throughout Bangor and the surrounding Penobscot County towns, from the city neighborhoods to the rural lots where onsite systems are the rule rather than the exception.

Not sure if we reach your lot? Call (207) 556-6455 and we will let you know.

Bangor, ME (04401)
Brewer, ME
Hampden, ME
Holden, ME
Orono, ME
Old Town, ME
Hermon, ME
Orrington, ME

Tank and System Selection Questions Answered

Concrete, polyethylene, or fiberglass tank, which should I choose?: Concrete is heavy, durable, and the traditional Maine choice. Polyethylene (HDPE) is lighter and seamless for tight access lots. Fiberglass (FRP) resists corrosion in wet ground. We weigh watertightness, lifespan, and access on your lot and give you a straight recommendation.
What size septic tank do I need for my home?: Tank size comes from bedroom count. A three bedroom home typically calls for a 1,000 to 1,250 gallon tank, and a four bedroom home moves up to 1,500 gallons. We confirm the sizing against your actual water use before we order.
Do I need a conventional, aerobic, or mound system?: That depends on your soil and water table. Well drained lots take a conventional gravity system. Wet lots, shallow bedrock, or small parcels often need an aerobic treatment unit or an engineered mound to meet the four foot separation to groundwater.
What is a perc test and do I need one first?: A soil percolation test measures how fast water drains and confirms the seasonal high water table. It sets the drainfield size and is required before Penobscot County will permit a system. We run it as the first step of every install.
How much does a full septic system cost to install?: A full conventional system for a three or four bedroom home in the Bangor area typically runs $3,500 to $12,500. Advanced aerobic and mound systems run $10,000 to $20,000 because of the pumps and engineered soil beds. You get a firm written number after a free site evaluation.
How long does an installation take?: Most conventional installs take one to three working days on site once the county permit is in hand. Perc testing, permitting, and inspection add lead time up front, so we recommend calling several weeks before you need the system in service.
What permits and approvals does a septic install require?: Maine septic work runs through a licensed site evaluator and the local plumbing inspector, with a soil evaluation and HHE-200 application on file. We handle the perc test, the permit paperwork, and the as built record for you from start to finish.
How often should the tank be pumped?: The EPA recommends pumping every three to five years depending on tank size and household water use. Regular pumping protects the drainfield, which is the most expensive part of the system to replace, so it pays for itself over time.
Do I need a septic inspection before selling my house?: Yes, most buyers and lenders in the Bangor market require a point of sale inspection. We check the baffles, effluent filter, sludge depth, and drainfield condition, then provide the written report the closing needs.

Request a System Recommendation for Your Lot

Ready to move forward, or just want to know which tank and system fit your property? We will run a site evaluation, talk through concrete, polyethylene, and fiberglass tanks, and give you a clear written estimate with no pressure. We handle the perc test, the county permit, and the as built record so nothing falls to you near Broadway or out in Holden.

Call (207) 556-6455