How Frequently Should You Have Septic Tank Pumping?

How Frequently Should You Have Septic Tank Pumping?

A septic system stores wastewater until it can naturally percolate into the soil. The wastewater is retained within several chambers that allow waste to settle to the bottom. The waste will remain there until it decomposes in a natural process that takes 7-10 days. Junk in the septic tank can cause a lot of issues. That is why it is important for Metro Septic Pumping to keep your tank clean. How often is recommended to have your tank pumped? Here is some information about septic tank pumping and why you should consider more frequent pumping.

How Often Should You Pump Your Septic Tank?

Having your septic tank pumped regularly is necessary to keep your home and family safe. A septic tank is an underground tank that contains sewage from your home or business. The bacteria in the tank break down the waste and produces sludge which is removed from the tank during pumping. The more often you have your septic tank pumped, the longer it will last, and the less likely you will experience problems with leach lines or wastewater coming out of your drains.

The frequency of pumping will depend on the size and type of septic system, the water usage by the household, and the number of occupants in the home. If you have a small lot that has a single-family home on it and no other uses, you can expect to pump every 2 to 3 years. If you have a large lot with several homes on it or are located in an area with heavy stormwater runoff, you may need to pump more frequently.

Why Does a Septic Tank Need Pumping?

A septic system relies on natural processes to treat and break down waste products before they are released into the soil around them. One of these processes involves aerobic bacteria that thrive in oxygen-rich environments. As solid waste decomposes, it produces methane gas which is heavier than air and will tend to rise up through the tank towards its surface, where it can escape into the atmosphere through vents built into the lid. This process is known as anaerobic digestion or biodegradation.

The reason why you should perform septic tank pumping more often is that it can help to extend the life of your septic system. Septic tanks are designed to handle a specific amount of wastewater; when they are overfilled, they can become clogged. This can lead to problems with your home's plumbing system and even cause the entire septic system to fail.

Luxury Home

If you have a luxury home or one with large amounts of water usage, you will want to consider pumping your septic tank more often than other homes in your area. This is because luxury homes tend to have larger families and/or more guests than other homes in their area. Heavy use can be caused by multiple showers or baths, washing machines, dishwashers, etc. It is beneficial to pump your septic tank before it becomes full. This will save you money in the long run!

Surge of Heavy Use

If you have a large family or host a lot of parties at your home, you will probably have more wastewater than normal coming out of your drains and into your septic tank. This can cause an overload on the system and cause it to become clogged. If this happens, it will take longer for the waste in the tank to break down and release into the ground around the pipeline. This can cause an overflow of sewage from your drain field, resulting in an environmental hazard and damage to your yard and plants.

Using a Garbage Disposal

You may be tempted to dispose of all your food scraps down the garbage disposal. However, this can clog up your pipes and even your septic tank. There is also the problem of grease that comes from cooking oil which can cause problems with the operation of your sewer system.

Use of a Sewer Ejector Pump

If you have a septic tank with an ejector pump, then you must maintain its proper function and clean it regularly for it to work properly. This will ensure that it does not get clogged up with waste matter and prevent solid waste from entering our water supply systems because this can cause many health problems.

Increase In Home Occupants

If your family has grown recently, this could increase the amount of waste entering the septic tank daily. If this happens, it would be wise to get your septic system pumped more often. Families sometimes end up becoming multi-generational households which can put a strain on the septic system.

Older Septic System

Older systems may not be able to handle more wastewater without having problems occur, such as overflowing or clogging of pipes leading from the house to the tank itself. If this happens, there could be serious damage to your home's plumbing system and other areas, such as your lawn or garden area, if you don't take care of things quickly enough.

Contact a Professional Septic Company

To sum up, there should be a minimum pumping interval of every 2-3 years on average. However, additional factors can affect how often pumping is necessary. Metro Septic Pumping can provide you with a pumping schedule based on your utilization and needs to know exactly when your septic tank needs to be pumped.