How Often Should I Get My Home's Septic Tank Pumped?

Whether you call it a cesspool, a septic tank or any other name, about one-fourth of all homes in the United States use this method of wastewater drainage. If you’re unfamiliar with septic tanks, they’re part of a localized waste management system, more often found in rural areas with no centralized sewer system, that use natural and technological components to treat wastewater.

Septic tanks handle wastewater from your home, typically beneath your property, as opposed to a sewer system that transports it from your home to a wastewater treatment facility. The watertight tank collects the wastewater carried away from the home via a drain and then it goes through an extensive process of treating the water, removing harmful bacteria, and dispersing it back into the ground. What’s left behind is sludge and gunk, which can lead to nasty backups.

How Often Should I Pump My Home’s Septic Tank?

Your septic tank should be inspected and pumped by a professional every three years. It could even need it sooner, depending on the amount of people in your home and the size of the tank.

Unlike sewer systems maintained by a city or municipality, homeowners are actually responsible for the routine care and maintenance of their septic system. These tanks need to be routinely cleaned and pumped to remove sludge, scum and other buildup that accumulates over time.

It’s recommended that you have your septic system inspected and pumped by a professional every three years but, like many facets of drain care, usage is important in determining how often a septic tank needs to be pumped. How many people live in your home and how large the size of the septic tank could play a role in needing it done sooner than every three years – more uses mean more buildup, so it’s best to leave that to the discretion of a drain and sewer expert.

What Are The Signs That A Septic Tank Needs to Be Pumped?

There are a variety of signs to indicate your septic tank is full, like constantly backing up toilets, slow draining, loud gurgling noises, lush grass, water pooling and an awful sewage smell.

When it comes to knowing when your septic tank needs to be pumped, if you let it go too long, it’ll be sure to let you know. The warning signs aren’t too different from some of the ones found in your home’s drains if there’s a significant clog in the line. A full septic tank could lead to:

• Issues when it comes to flushing – or constantly backing up toilets.
• Slow draining from kitchen and bathroom drains.
• Loud gurgling sounds coming from the pipe after each use.
• Your lawn is growing lush green grass in patchy areas.
• Water begins to constantly pool around your property.

If your septic system has been sluggish lately, don’t put it off any longer – especially if you don’t remember the last time your septic tank was pumped! Instead, give Zoom Drain a call or or schedule an appointment online and we’ll be able to detect the current status and pump it. Not only that, but we’ll clean the inlets and outlets as well to ensure everything is spotless. With the ability to remove up to 2,000 gallons from up to 300 feet away, we can access even hard to reach tanks. Don’t wait until you’re left with a smell mess around your property, call the experts!