How Often Should You Schedule Septic Tank Pumping?
How often the septic system has to be pumped depends on the tank size and how many people live in the house. Consider the substances, such as soaps and household cleaners, that are dumped down the drains. You may ask yourself, how often should I schedule a septic tank pumping? A septic tank has to be flushed on average every three to four years. Based on home size and wastewater use, this may be considerably shorter.
Scheduled Pumping
While forgetting about the septic tank might be easy, this system is essential for proper wastewater disposal. Whenever wastewater leaves your home, it goes to the septic tank, separating into sludge and scum. The septic tank then sends the watery mixture to the drain field.
The septic tank needs to be pumped periodically to keep the sludge and scum levels low enough that they do not push into the drain field. This prevents solids and other waste from building up in the pipes and causing clogs and backups.
When the scum layer is 12 inches or less from the tank’s output tee, the septic tank has to be pumped. Ask your septic specialist to use the measuring stick with a velcro strip to gauge the sludge level in the tank if you want to establish a routine. The easiest approach to choose a time for your septic tank to be pumped is by using this method.
Preventative Maintenance
The best way to keep septic tank pumping costs down is to perform preventative maintenance as part of a septic system pumping schedule. Doing so will help prevent septic system problems like clogged pipes and reduce the amount of solid waste and wastewater in the drain field.
As wastewater leaves the septic tank, it flows into a porous drainage field, dispersed into the groundwater supply. However, solid waste from the septic tank can clog and flood this drainage field. Then, this untreated wastewater can seep back into the house or contaminate the environment.
To avoid a clogged drainage field and wastewater backups, flush only toilet paper, waste, and liquid soap down the drain. Pouring toxic chemicals like chemical drain cleaner down the sink can kill the bacteria that break down solid waste in your septic system and prevent your septic tank from being pumped efficiently.
Septic Pumping Costs
The septic tank pumping costs vary by location, and the cost also depends on the septic tank size. The larger the tank, the more expensive it will be to pump it out.
Another factor that affects septic tank pumping costs is the number of people living in the home. This is because more people use the toilets and drains so a septic tank will fill up faster than a smaller one.
The septic tank pumping costs can be reduced by reducing the wastewater in your household. For example, installing water-saving appliances and fixing leaky faucetspromptly will save money on your water bill and make your septic system more efficient. Another way to cut septic tank pumping costs is by avoiding flushing feminine hygiene products, cotton balls, and paint or grease down the drains, leading to costly septic system problems. Instead, buy and use septic tank additives that promise to break down sludge more quickly.
Septic Inspections
Experts recommend that homeowners inspect their septic systems every three to five years. Ideally, this should happen around the same time that they have the tank pumped. Unfortunately, many people don’t stick to this schedule and wait until something goes wrong with their septic system. That usually means it’s too late, and they must pay for costly repairs or a full system replacement.
A septic inspection will assess whether the tank is up to code and if the absorption field can handle the amount of wastewater that the home produces. A pro can also provide a list of steps the homeowner can take to keep their septic system working properly. This includes using less water, fixing leaky faucets promptly, and not flushing paper towels, tampons, baby wipes, or medications down the drain.
In addition, septic services can inspect the system for cracks, corrosion, sediment accumulation, and other problems that may need to be repaired. A complete inspection should include a hydraulic load test, which will help to ensure that the drain field can handle the home’s anticipated daily wastewater volume.
