Many people shy away from a house with a septic system, thinking it's just too much trouble to maintain. But that narrative likely comes from situations where the septic system was improperly maintained somewhere along the way. A good system can last years with regular septic tank cleaning and maintenance.
How Often Should You Pump Your Septic?
If you took the plunge and invested in a house with a septic tank, then you need to know some of the basics. Depending upon the size of your tank (or tanks), the type of septic system, and the number of occupants in the house, you will need to have your septic pumped at different intervals. In addition, you have to factor in whether all of your water drains through the septic or you have a gray line that separately siphons off some of the high volume wastewater from your appliances.
Once you know the details that affect your pumping, you still have to refine it a bit based on your own water consumption. There are some handy reference charts, like this one, that can help you to figure out a good starting schedule. In general, it is best to err on the side of caution and have it pumped more regularly until you figure out your overall consumption.
Why Should You Clean and Inspect After You Pump Your Septic?
It is important not only to pump your septic system but to clean it as well. Just pumping the septic doesn't get all of the particulates that can stick to the sides or become wedged in the pipes connecting the various stages of your septic (for a multi-stage) or that ultimately connect to the drainage field. It is doubly important to clean out any residual grease since that can clog up drainage pipes, filters, etc.
As part of the septic tank cleaning services, make sure that you have the various parts of your septic tank inspected. Basic tank systems just require that the tank and pipes be checked for cracks or breaks. More complex systems, such as those that have electrical float switches, pumps to move the sewage from a basement to the tank or even between tanks, or mechanical parts and filters, should definitely be inspected after each cleaning. In some cases, for newer systems, the system should be inspected every few years, even if it doesn't need to be cleaned or pumped. Preventive maintenance is much more cost-effective than replacing a component or the whole system!
The bottom line is that you should take care of your septic system. If you have it pumped, cleaned, and inspected regularly, you can have a worry-free experience.
Share28 April 2021
Hi there, I am Wes Nelson. When I lived in my first home, I discovered the plumbing connected directly to a septic system on the land. The septic system consisted of a tank, lines and leach field that processed the waste. I had to quickly learn how the septic system worked to keep it in good shape. I had to pay close attention to the substances I sent down the drains or flushed down the toilet. I did not want to disrupt the colonies of bacteria hard at work processing the waste products. On this site, I would like to help others keep their septic system in good working order by sharing the information I discovered. Please visit again soon.
