Septic tank systems are an integral part of residential and occasionally business sewage systems. Septic tanks will generally be installed in rural properties where municipal sewer lines are not available. They are constructed from plastic or concrete and are intended to collect sewage and wastewater from the house. Septic tanks can only hold a limited amount of sewage and need to be pumped and inspected on a regular basis. Septic tank maintenance is very important for not only the septic tank system, but for your wallet as well. If it is your first time owning a property with a septic system, you may be asking yourself the age-old question: How often does a septic tank need to be pumped? The general rule is every one to five years, but there are many determining factors to consider. The short answer to the question: It depends.

There are many factors to consider when deciding a frequency of septic tank pumping that will be best for your property. Things such as the number of occupants in your home, the size of your septic tank, and the amount of wastewater generated through your system are just a few of the key components that effect the frequency of septic tank pumping.

Generally speaking, the more people that live in your household, the more often your septic tank system will need to be emptied. More people produce more waste. A single person will produce much less wastewater than a household with seven residents. 

The amount of wastewater generated in a household varies greatly and will impact the frequency of septic tank pumping needs. There are many factors contributing to the amount of wastewater generated, which will be an individual component to consider when deciding how often to pump a septic tank.

If you have a septic tank system on your property, everything that you send down the drain has a direct impact on how often your septic tank needs to be pumped. Many materials from humans, garbage disposals and wastes will cause your septic tank to fill up more quickly, resulting in a more frequent need for septic tank pumping.

Perhaps the most obvious determining factor in septic tank pumping is septic tank size. The smaller the tank, the more often that you will need to pump your septic tank system.

Septic tanks encompass an important financial investment. Properly inspecting, maintaining and pumping will help to preserve your system ensuring that it will last for years to come. If properly cared for, a well-designed septic tank system will provide years of reliable low-cost service. An inadequate septic tank system can cause pollution, property damage, ground and surface water contamination. We recommend a yearly inspection with proper septic tank pumping as recommended by one of our trusted associates, who will use all the contributing factors to determine how often your septic tank should be pumped.

As with many septic tank decisions, there are many determining factors to consider when estimating the septic tank pumping cost. Many factors, including the size of the tank and its location on a property will need to be considered. Proper septic tank maintenance and septic tank pumping is vital for the overall health of your septic tank system, which will save you a significant amount of money in the long run.

Our long-term experience is the foundation of our septic installation and repair services at Herrington’s LLC. Whether you have just purchased a new home with a septic tank system or are in need of septic tank maintenance or pumping, call Herrington’s LLC to get the job done the right way, the first time!