Septic Tank Abandonment
We abandon septic tanks across Palm Beach County. Most of these jobs come from homeowners switching to municipal sewer or properties being redeveloped where the old tank is in the way. We crush the tank in place, haul off the big chunks of concrete, backfill the hole with clean dirt, and we handle the Florida Department of Health permit for the demolition.
Septic abandonment is strictly regulated by the Florida Department of Health. Only licensed contractors, plumbers, and septic companies can legally perform this work. We’re licensed building contractors (CBC#1270161) — we pull the permit, do the demolition, and close it out with the health department.
Call (561) 366-2050 for a free septic tank abandonment estimate in Palm Beach County.
How the Job Runs
- Pump-out (if the tank isn’t already empty) — if there’s material in the tank, a licensed septic pump company has to pump it out first and give you a signed pump receipt. That’s not our work. Pumping requires a septic license we don’t hold. If the tank is already empty, no pump or receipt needed.
- Permit — we pull the demolition permit with the Florida Department of Health
- Demolition — we crush the tank concrete in place, break out the top, collapse the walls into the hole
- Haul-off — big chunks of concrete get hauled off to permitted disposal. Small chunks stay in the hole (standard, code-compliant)
- Backfill — clean dirt brought in and compacted into the hole
- Permit closure — photos of the work are typically accepted by FDOH to close the permit
What About the Drain Field?
Drain fields usually stay in place. Abandoning the drain field only becomes necessary if you’re building a structure on top of where the drain field is located. If that’s your situation, we can handle it — fill in the drain field, compact, restore. Otherwise it stays and nature takes its course.
Why It Matters to Do This Right
An abandoned septic that wasn’t properly decommissioned can collapse over time (ground depression hazard), flag during a title search (blocks home sales), fail inspection during new construction, or continue leaching into groundwater. Done right — permit pulled, work inspected, photos submitted — it’s closed out and it stays closed out.
What We Don’t Do
We don’t pump the tank. That requires a septic license we don’t hold, and FDOH takes the licensing seriously. If material needs to come out first, you call a pumping company and they provide the signed receipt. We can recommend one if you don’t already have a pumper.
We also don’t install new septic systems — different license, different work. Most of our abandonment jobs are happening because sewer became available, so a new system usually isn’t the goal anyway.
Ready to abandon your septic tank?
Call (561) 366-2050
for a free estimate.
What clients say
★★★★★ 5.0 · 26 reviews on Google
Aaron and his team did a great job. Very professional and easy to work with. I highly recommend them!
I have been working with Thum Co. for a little over a year for demolition and grading services in West Palm Beach, and they are five stars in my book. From the owner to every operator and team member, they have been perfect to work with. Their professionalism, reliability, and quality of work have never let me down. If you need demolition or grading services, I highly recommend Thum Co. They truly set the standard for excellence in their industry.
Aaron and company are great to work with. They are very responsive and do a great job. Highly recommend!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have the tank pumped before you arrive?
Only if there’s material in it. If the tank’s been inactive and is already empty, no pump needed. If there’s still sludge or liquid, a licensed pumping company needs to empty it and give you a signed pump receipt. We can recommend a pumper if you don’t already have one.
Who pulls the permit?
We do. We pull the demolition permit with the Florida Department of Health as part of our scope. You don’t deal with the paperwork.
How long does a septic abandonment take?
For a standard residential tank (1000-1500 gallon), we’re typically on site 1 day. Pump coordination happens before we arrive, if needed. Permit processing with FDOH runs in parallel.
Do you abandon the drain field too?
Only if you need to build on top of it. If it can stay in place (most cases), we leave it alone. If it needs to go, we fill it and compact.
What happens to the concrete from the tank?
We crush it in the hole, haul off the large chunks to permitted disposal. Smaller chunks stay in the hole (standard and code-compliant in FL), clean dirt fill goes on top, compacted.
Can I abandon my septic myself?
No. The Florida Department of Health strictly regulates septic abandonment. Only licensed contractors, plumbers, and septic companies can legally perform this work. DIY abandonment creates compliance issues that will surface later — during a future permit application, a home sale, or a new-construction inspection.
What does it typically cost?
Depends on tank size, access, and whether pump-out is needed (pump-out is billed separately by the pumping company). We scope it on site and give you a firm number. Most standard residential abandonments are comfortably in the affordable range relative to the long-term risk of leaving an old tank uncertified.
How does the permit get closed?
Once the work’s done, photos of the crushed tank and backfilled hole are typically accepted by FDOH for closing out the permit. We handle the submission.