While most septic tanks need to be pumped out every two to four years, there is no one-size-fits-all pumping schedule for septic tanks. A rundown of the factors that affect how often a septic tank should be pumped out can help you understand how frequently yours may require service:
Usage and Pumping Frequency
Your septic tank has an important job to do — handling raw sewage from your home that accumulates into sludge and scum inside the tank. Most people with septic tanks are not hooked up to municipal septic systems or city sewer systems, so pumping your septic tank out is your only option for getting rid of accumulated household waste.
The main determinant for a septic tank pumping schedule is how much waste is regularly being routed into your tank. The frequency with which your septic tank needs to be emptied largely depends on usage, which primarily hinges on how many people are living in the home.
While two to four years is a benchmark for most septic tanks to be pumped out, your household composition can alter that standard recommendation. If you have a greater number of people living under your roof — say, seven people — then pumping your septic tank more often may be necessary. Similarly, if you live alone or perhaps with one other individual, then you may be able to stave off the septic tank emptying process for a bit longer than the recommendation.
Size of Your Septic Tank and Pumping Frequency
While usage and household composition have a lot to do with how frequently your tank requires pumping, the size of your tank matters a great deal, too, when it comes to how often your septic tank should be pumped. For instance, if you have a 1,000-gallon tank and there are four members of a household, then you may need your tank emptied every two years or so. By contrast, if you have a 2,000-gallon tank for a household of four, you may be able to go without pumping your tank for four years.
What to Do When Problems Arise
Despite any predetermined schedule for pumping out your septic tank, it may exhibit signs that it needs to be pumped by professionals. If you’re starting to wonder how often you should have your septic tank pumped, here are some things to watch for:
- Gurgling noises from toilets, garbage disposals, drains, and pipes in your home
- Foul-smelling odors coming from your sewer lines
- Pooling water in the septic tank’s drain field
- Sewer backup into your home
- Slow drains in tubs, showers, and bathroom and kitchen sinks
- Toilets that don’t flush efficiently
Professional Service for Your Septic System
Staying on top of septic tank maintenance can save you a lot of trouble down the road when larger problems occur due to a lack of regular septic tank pumping. Count on the trusted specialists at Dooley Service Pro — a family-owned, full-service septic, sewer, and plumbing business serving the Springfield, OH, area for almost a half-century — to help you determine the ideal pumping schedule for your septic tank. “How often should I have my septic tank pumped?” is a question worth asking — and reaching out to our team is the best way to get an answer! For more information about our septic tank cleaning services or new septic system installers, contact us today.
