What Is the Optimal Schedule for Septic Tank Pumping?
If you’ve never lived in a home with a septic system before, you may not realize that keeping up with the septic tank pumping is critical to the continued operation of your system. While every septic system can be a little different from the rest, following these general guidelines will help you keep your septic system functioning at optimal levels.
Septic Tank Inspection
Depending on where you live, there may be local ordinances or laws regarding how frequently you must have a qualified septic system professional inspect your septic tank and drain field. When you aren’t required to get inspections by law and you haven’t noticed any points of concern with the operation of your septic system, it’s a good idea to have your system inspected annually. If you have a larger septic tank or your septic system is under a very low demand, it may be possible to stretch your inspections out to every two years.
Pumping Calculations
The typical septic system is designed based on the number of bedrooms your home has because this will dictate its maximum occupancy under normal circumstances. The setup calculations also allow for 50 gallons of water usage per occupant per day. This water allotment covers everything from showering to washing clothes and flushing the toilet. If you believe your family uses more than 50 gallons of water per person per day, then it’s best to err on the side of caution and have your septic tank inspected and possibly pumped more often than your occupancy would otherwise dictate.
In normal conditions, a family of four can usually get by with having their septic tank pumped once every two years. When five or more people live in a property, you’ll likely need to pump your septic tank annually. Also, if you’ve recently added square footage to your home or have a higher number of occupants, it’s wise to check with a septic system professional to determine how long you can go between pumping, as the typical guidelines may no longer apply.
Septic Tank Maintenance
The daily strain you place on your septic system can also impact how frequently you must pump the tank. For instance, a weak garbage disposal that’s used regularly will add quite a bit of solid waste material to your septic tank that will not all get broken down by the tank’s bacteria. Since this will add more to your tank’s sludge layer than would a high-powered garbage disposal that breaks down solid waste into tiny pieces before it gets to the tank, you’ll have to pump the solids out of your septic tank much more frequently than a family that never puts food waste down the drain.
Remember, the careful consideration of what waste materials you allow to travel through your septic system could help you put off septic tank pumping for an additional year or two, allowing you to put the average $1,000 pumping fee to good use elsewhere around your home.