Wondering how often you should have your septic tank pumped? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Septic tanks should be pumped and cleaned every three to five years. Additionally, you should have your septic tank inspected at least every two to three years. With proper maintenance, your septic tank should last a long time and likely won’t cause hassles. However, a poorly cared for septic tank could break down or malfunction. Often, this creates messes.
Of course, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to maintaining and pumping septic tanks. Different families will have different needs. If your septic tank is rather small, given the size of your family, it may need to be pumped and cleaned more often. Likewise, if your septic tank features electrical float switches and complicated mechanical systems and pumps, more frequent inspections are wise.
The key is figuring out how often your septic tank should be pumped, cleaned, and inspected. Your situation may vary greatly from your neighbor’s. While some families don’t have their septic tank cleaned often enough, many households clean their tank too often, wasting money. Then again, it’s better to clean too frequently than not often enough.
By the way, if you think something is wrong with your septic tank, you should get in touch with expert septic tank pumping services right away. Your septic tank might be full, or blockage could be impeding the flow of waste. Likewise, mechanical parts may have broken down. If issues are addressed quickly, it might save you from a lot of headaches and messes.
What Happens When a Septic Tank Is Cleaned
Septic tank operations are a lot more intricate than many people realize. As waste is pumped into a septic tank, it will separate into three layers. At the bottom of the tank, you’ll find solid sludge. At the top, you’ll find scum, and in between, you’ll find a watery mix.
With the typical septic tank, the watery mix flows into a drainage field, while the scum and sludge remain behind. The scum and sludge must be periodically removed or blockages and other problems could occur. Septic cleaning experts can remove the scum and sludge, thus helping ensure that your tank operates as it is supposed to.
So how do you know when you need to have your septic tank cleaned? A good rule of thumb is to have it emptied when the sludge at the bottom becomes one foot thick, or the scum at the top is six inches thick.
Some folks have their septic tank pumped every year. This isn’t a bad idea; you’ll keep your tank clean. However, you usually don’t need to have the tank pumped that often. It’s wise to reach out to experts to ask for recommendations and insights. The septic company you work with can provide advice and keep an eye out for issues. Further, technicians can furnish preventative maintenance plumbing tips so you can watch for problems too.
Need to speak with septic tank experts? Call Alvarado Pumping Septic Service at (209) 581-3600 and schedule an appointment.