All septic tanks need to be pumped to remove solid waste that accumulates over time. However, how often this needs to be performed is dependent on many factors. The size of the tank, the amount of people living in the home and the habits of the home dwellers all impacts the frequency of septic tank pumping.
In general, most septic tanks will need to be pumped every 3-5 years if the tank is the right size for the home. Septic tanks usually must meet local regulations for size based on how many bedrooms are in the home. The idea is that a four-bedroom home is more likely to have more people living in the home and will need a larger septic tank to accommodate the family waste needs. But this is not always the case, which is one of the reasons why septic tank pumping times can greatly vary.
For example, there may only be two people living in a four-bedroom home, meaning they are filling a septic tank made to handle four or more people living in that home. It is likely that the tank would only need to be pumped every five years or even more. But a small two-bedroom home with four people living inside may need to have its tank pumped every 1-2 years instead of waiting until the third year.
Also, the amount of debris put down the drains in the home will affect pumping frequency. Solid waste is what is pumped out, so excess food debris, paper and other items put down the drains can increase how often a septic needs to be pumped.
Since there are so many factors that can affect how often a septic tank should be pumped, it is prudent to have the tank inspected once a year by a septic professional to ensure it does not become over full and is functioning correctly. Schedule your inspection today.
Posted on behalf of:
A-Flo Free Septic
Lawrenceville, GA
(770) 927-7926
