How Often Should I Pump My Septic Tank?
Living in the country is a dream for most people. The wide-open spaces, relative isolation, and the ability to call a piece of property truly your own is hard to find these days. Unfortunately, for most people, living in the country also means that you won't have access to city services, such as sewer and water. For that reason, you'll be responsible for not only providing a way to remove waste from your home, but also maintaining it as well.
One of the septic tank services that you'll be responsible for is pumping your tank, which needs to be done every few years, on average. But that number can fluctuate depending on a number of factors, several of which are outlined below. Look through them, and schedule a regular septic tank service schedule with your local professional.
How Many People Live in Your Home?
The amount of waste that one person can put out is much different than that of an entire family, so the pumping schedule should reflect that extra load. And before you think this is just relegated to the toilets, it also can include the amount of biowaste that goes from your kitchen drains and into your pump, as well as the extra showers and sink usage that can fill your septic tank with water as well. Even if you don't have a lot of people that live permanently under your roof, long-term guests such as elderly parents or kids home from college can add to your septic tank significantly.
How Efficient Are Your Appliances?
Newer, high-efficiency models of dishwashers and washing machines generally require less water to operate, as do toilets and sinks. Because of this, if you have appliances that are only a few years old, you can probably get by with pumping your septic tank less often, but if it's been a few decades since you changed your toilets, the reverse is true. Not only this, but you should consider the use of chemicals in your sink, such as drain cleaners and soaps, both of which can clog up your pipes in college major problems if not pumped regularly.
How Big is Your Tank?
If you've had your tank installed yourself, you most likely know how big it is, but if not, consult your home's documentation to check. Tank sizes can range anywhere from 900 gallons all the way up to 5000 gallons (or more), which means depending on how big your tank is, you might not need to pump it nearly as often. But septic pumping services are not only relegated to simply removing waste from your septic tank, they can also consist of basic maintenance, such as repairing any problem spots and cleaning the walls of your tank to reduce blockages.