Remember that thing in the ground by your house? You know, the one that treats the gross water coming out? Oh yeah, it’s called the septic tank! I know, it’s one of the easiest home maintenance systems to forget about because it’s buried in the ground and, for the most part, works automatically. On the other hand, though, getting your septic tank pumped is just as important as maintaining your other home systems, even though it doesn’t require attention much. Also, by pumping your septic tank regularly, you can avoid expensive (and smelly) repairs, as well as improve the reliability and lifespan of your septic system.
So, how often should you have your septic system pumped? We’re glad you asked, though there are several variables that could affect your answer. The service interval could be affected by the tank size, the size of your family, presence or absence of a garbage disposal, climate, and other possible factors. To get a general idea of how often you should get it pumped, reference the chart below.
Typical septic tank sizes in relation to home size are:
- 750 gallons: 1-2 bedrooms & 1,500 or fewer square feet
- 900 gallons: 3 bedrooms & 1,500-2,500 square feet
- 1000 gallons: 4 bedrooms & 2,500-3,500 square feet
- 1250 gallons: 5 bedrooms & 2,500-3,500 square feet
- 1500 gallons: 6 bedrooms & 3,500-5,500 square feet
There you have it, though, remember, don’t take the information above explicitly. Some states, cities, or counties may have requirements on minimum septic tank size regardless of the size of your home. A few other variables could also affect the frequency in which you have your septic tank pumped:
- Frequent garbage disposal use
- In-home business operations
- Recurrent disposal of non-septic-friendly materials in the drain
- Regular entertainment of guests
- Sewage ejector pump connected to the septic system
- Water softener usage connected to the septic tank
- More laundry done than the average person or family
In the event that you haven’t had your septic tank pumped within the appropriate time interval, it’d be a good idea to have a professional perform a maintenance check and pump the septic tank, if necessary. Otherwise, you can often tell if the septic tank is full, or has failed, if you happen to notice:
- Drains in your home backing up
- Foul odors or sewage smells
- Standing water surrounding your home or septic tank area
However, sometimes, sewer blockages or clogged pipes can seem a lot like septic tank problems, so a professional diagnosis is best. If you don’t happen to notice any of these symptoms but suspect your septic tank may be overdue, locate the access port to the tank. Make sure to first put on gloves, eyewear, and protective clothing and then vertically insert a 6-10 foot wooden rod into the septic tank. You’ll know it’s time for a pump if the sludge covers more than one-third of the rod.
Need to have your septic tank pumped, your septic system repaired, or just a routine maintenance check? Have the professionals at Miller’s take care of it for you! Call (804) 581-0001 or contact us at https://millers-va.com/contact/ to schedule an appointment. Otherwise, feel free to visit our webpage on septic pumping at https://millers-va.com/septic-pumping/.