How Often Should I Have My Septic Tank Pumped?
One of the most common questions we get from our clients is, “How often do I need to get my septic tank pumped?” The general rule is anywhere from every three to five years, but a more exact answer really depends on a lot of the circumstances of your home.
Let’s take a closer look at septic tank maintenance and pumping schedules and what you should know about caring for your septic system. A local septic company in Lancaster, NY will be able to provide information specific to your property.
Frequency of septic tank pumping
Septic tanks are capable of holding only a finite amount of sewage. Every tank will eventually reach a point where pumping is necessary—otherwise, damage to the system or contamination of the water source or drain field will become a serious possibility.
The three- to five-year standard is a good one for all septic system owners to keep in mind. But you should also carefully consider some of the other important factors that are likely to influence septic system pumping schedules.
For example, the number of people who live in your household is an important consideration. The more people in your household, the more sewage and waste will go into your tank, which means the more often you’ll need to pump. A single person might be able to go a full decade without needing to have their tank pumped, but a family of six might need to call out a septic tank pumping professional as often as every two years or so.
You should also consider how well you’ve kept up with maintenance and the age of the system. If you’ve been good about sticking to a septic tank pumping schedule and other maintenance in the past, then you can trust the system will continue to reliably operate and you will be able to keep a consistent pumping schedule. However, if you haven’t stayed on top of maintenance in the past, you might find that certain maintenance tasks (including pumping) might become necessary more frequently.
In any case, it is important that you pump the septic tank as needed so you can prevent overflow problems and potential contamination. Inside the tank, the heavier waste substances will settle down at the bottom, creating a layer of sludge. Over time, that sludge layer will build up, and if it exceeds appropriate levels, those solids will slowly start to leak out into the soil absorption system, also known as the drain field. Those solids can clog up the drain field pipes, which will prevent liquids from flowing through and filtering out into the surrounding soil as they are supposed to do in such a system.
All of this can lead to dirty, contaminated water getting pushed back up to the surface because your septic system is overloaded and there’s nowhere else for that contaminated water to go.
Schedule service today
With all this in mind, it is crucial that you maintain a regular schedule for your septic tank pumping. Look for local septic companies in Lancaster, NY that you can work with and develop an ongoing maintenance schedule with them. To learn more or schedule an appointment, reach out to Macken Services, Inc. today.
Categorised in: Septic Tank Pumping
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