How Do I Know How Often to Pump My Septic Tank?

About one third of the households in the United States operate on septic systems. That means if you are a new homeowner, or have recently moved, you have one in three chance of moving into a home with a septic tank. If you’re one of these people and are not exactly sure what your responsibilities will be in the years to come, read below. Above all, make sure that you don’t forget about it or it will come back and bite you.

There are a few main factors to consider in measuring how often your septic system needsto be inspected. Firstly, what kind of system do you have? If it is a standard design in a moderately sized home, you probably only need to inspect it every 3 years.

If you have recently moved in, make sure to contact the previous owners for when the last inspection was. Moreover, you should also save all necessary paperwork and maintenance records from the past. If the previous owners can provide that for you, it will make the inspection process a lot more useful.

If you have an alternative design that uses a pump, electrical float switches, or any modern or unconventional mechanical components, you may have to get it inspected more often. If you can’t figure this out on your own from the paperwork, ask your service provider at your next inspection. In some cases you may need to get it pumped annually. In these cases especially, you should definitely get a service contract squared away.

Other more standard factors to consider for all septic systems include the size of your household and how many people live in it. This should give you a ballpark estimate of about how much water is generated on a monthly basis. Keep in mind that your septic tank is collecting water not only from the toilets, but also from the sinks, showers, and washing machines. Any and all parts of your home that generate water pass through the septic system. So be weary of that the next time you take a 45 minute shower.

Aside from water generation, you should also be conscious of what you’re putting in your drains and at what volume. In general, you shouldn’t be putting any solid object through your system, aside form toilet tissue. Of course, it’s sometimes a bit difficult to keep tabs on each and every person if you’ve got roommates or your family living with you. You can make some house rules, but also be sure to factor in the inevitable based on how many people you live with when making an estimate on the state of your system.

And finally, you should be aware of the size of the tank itself. A smaller tank takes more abuse, especially when your household generates a lot of water every day. If it’s a reasonably large tank then you shouldn’t have to worry to inspect it too often, although it may cost you a bit more when you do have to get it pumped.

If you’re a new homeowner, if you think there’s something acting up in your system, or if you just are interested in speaking to a professional about anything septic tank related, Jones Septic is happy to help. If you’re in need of septic pumping in Wingdale, NY or around the area, you can give them a call at 800-696-6878 or email them anytime to set up an appointment with the best service providers around.