Did you know that over 21 million homes in the United States use septic tanks rather than the sewer system? That is almost one-fifth of the entire US population.
Septic tanks are a logical choice for those who live in an area that isn’t connected to the sewer system, especially in rural areas. For sanitary purposes for you and your household, septic pumping is vital.
Knowing when to get your septic system pumped and how to arrange septic cleaning will go a long way towards keeping your family healthy and getting the most out of your septic system.
Keep reading to learn more about septic maintenance and when to get your septic system pumped.
How Often Should You Pump Your Septic System?
Septic tanks are a great alternative to the sewer system, especially for homes that are in rural areas. They are made from concrete or plastic most times, and they are used to store sewage and waste from your home.
Because septic tanks come in a variety of different sizes and they can only hold so much sewage, it is important to know how often you need a septic pump.
A general rule of thumb is that you should schedule your septic pumping for one time every 3 to 5 years. This amount of time varies based on how many people are living in the home. Larger households need more frequent septic pumping.
For reference, a person living in a home by themselves can go up to 10 years before needing septic pumping. A family of 8 on the other hand might need to pump their septic system every year or two.
Regular septic pumping is important for your septic system because it allows it to function at a high level and perform reliably. Not pumping your septic system regularly can lead to sewage backing up into your drains or leaking.
Not getting your septic system pumped can lead to expensive repairs and a host of health hazards for you and your family. Keeping note of time intervals between pumps can help you schedule regular septic pumping.
Signs That You Need Septic Pumping
There are many signs that you should keep an eye out for when it comes to your septic system. These signs can indicate when you are getting close to requiring septic pumping or cleaning.
Below are some of the most common indicators that septic pumping time has come.
Time Between Pumps
A good rule of thumb for septic pumping is every 3 to 5 years. If you’re starting to approach that 3 year time period it is never a bad idea to schedule septic pumping.
If you can’t remember how long it has been since the last time your septic system was pumped, a good idea is to call the company that provided pumping service last time.
They should be able to look up the service in their records and provide you with the date of the last pumping service.
Pooling Water
If you are finding pools of water in your yard near your septic tank on a regular basis this is a sign of your septic tank leaking.
Other key signs are extra lush and green grass surrounding your septic tank, and large drain fields. If you see any of these signs it is a good indication that your septic system needs to be pumped.
Bad Smells
Bad smells are probably the hardest sign to miss. Foul odors that come from your drains within your house are a major sign that your septic tank is full and needs to be pumped.
You will also smell foul odors outside in the vicinity of your septic tank. Catching a whiff of these smells is definitely enough to tell you that your septic tank is nearing capacity and needs to be emptied.
Slow Draining
Keep an eye on the drain of your sinks, toilets, and showers. If the water you’re trying to dispose of is slow to drain this can be a sign that your septic tank is getting full.
Not getting your septic system pumped in a timely manner can lead to increasingly slower drain times and even sewage backup.
Best Time of Year for Septic Pumping
Depending on where you live, it is important to know which time of year is best for having your septic system pumped.
Winter is far and away the worst time of year to try to get your septic tank pumped. Normally during winter the ground freezes, which if you have an underground tank, makes it almost impossible to reach the tank.
Having snow on the ground makes finding the access point for your tank even more difficult for the septic service technician. Despite the difficulties of pumping your septic system in winter, a full tank should be pumped regardless of the weather conditions.
Getting your septic system pumped during warmer seasons like spring and summer will make the pumping process easier for the technician.
If your area gets high amounts of rainfall during spring then get your tank pumped as soon as you can so that you can prevent flooding.
Why Is Septic Maintenance Important?
Septic maintenance is important because without regular pumping the most solid contents of your tank will settle at the bottom and become a sludge-like substance.
Without regular pumping and cleaning, that sludgy substance will grow higher in the tank. This will negatively affect the soil absorption around the tank.
When the soil absorption system gets clogged, the new waste and sewage have nowhere to go and begin leaking. This contaminates the groundwater and makes it unsanitary, putting your family’s health at risk.
Because of these issues, regular septic pumping and septic maintenance are vital.
Do You Need Septic Pumping Service?
As the weather starts to warm the ground starts to thaw, it is getting closer to prime time for septic pumping and cleaning. If you’re starting to notice slow draining or bad smells from your home’s drains, you need to schedule septic pumping service.
Getting your septic tank pumped on a regular basis will keep it operating how it should and also keep your family healthy and safe.
Don’t let your waste harm your health or your finances. Click here to get a service estimate for your septic pumping service.
