How Often Should a Septic Tank Be Pumped

You should pump your septic tank every 2 to 4years. This helps extend its lifespan. If your septic tank becomes too full, it can cause serious health and environmental risks. 

In this guide, you will learn how often a septic tank should be pumped. It reduces your risk of exposure to harmful bacteria and prevents wastewater from polluting the environment.

What Is a Septic Tank and How It Works?

A septic tank is a tank that collects wastewater from households under the ground. The waste in the septic tank is broken down by bacteria into organic compounds. And it is divided into three parts: scum, sludge, and liquid.

Septic tank pumping removes built-up sludge and scum from your system. Then these waste materials will be transported by vacuum trucks and treated through treatment plants.

Factors Affecting Frequency

Generally, a septic tank should be pumped every 2-3 years. But its pumping frequency depends on many factors. If you pump frequently, you can pay attention to the following aspects: 

1. The Number of People Living in Your Household

The more people living at home, the more wastewater will flow into the septic tank, and the higher the frequency of pumping it. Table 1 is about the pumping frequency of septic tanks according to the number of residents, helping you determine the pumping frequency of septic tanks:

Table 1:

2. The Capacity of the Septic Tank

Your tank size directly affects how often you need to pump it. The capacity range of a common household septic tank is 1000-2000 gallons. If you have a septic tank capacity within the range, you can refer to the frequency of pumping in Table 2:

Table 2:

3. Sludge and Scum Levels

If too much sludge builds up, your system may fail and cause backups in your home. It will disrupt your daily life. If the sludge in the septic tank has accumulated to 1 foot in the tank, and the scum has accumulated at the top of the tank, which is 6 inches thick, you need to contact a professional to pump it out as soon as possible.

4. Seasonal Usage Changes

If your residence belongs to the infrequently used housing types, such as vacation homes and rental homes, then you do not need to pump septic tanks frequently. You can reduce the frequency of septic tank pumping in such houses based on the frequency of use of septic tank pumping. Avoid frequent pumping to reduce the usage time of septic tanks.

5. Using Age, Types & Condition of Septic Tank

Older or outdated septic tanks require more frequent pumping because their ability to treat wastewater isn’t as strong as that of new septic tanks.

If your septic tank is made of concrete, it will accumulate solids faster over time. However, septic tanks made of fiberglass or plastic will have higher performance than those made of concrete.

If your septic tank has aged or worn out, it is necessary to adjust the pumping frequency according to the specific situation to prevent wastewater leakage or system failure.

How Often Should a Septic Tank Be Pumped?

The ideal pumping frequency needs to consider both the number of people using it and the capacity of the septic tank, rather than just one aspect. You can contact a licensed septic tank pumping company to obtain the pumping frequency suitable for your system.

Table 3 provides you with an estimated pumping frequency, which you can estimate based on the number of people living in your home and the size of your septic tank. 

Table 3:

What are the Signs of a Full Septic Tank?

Of course, there is no alarm installed in the septic tank, but some situations also indicate that you should pump out the septic tank.

For example, if:

• Your drains are slow.
• You hear gurgling in your pipes.
• You notice bad odors near your yard
• Grass above the tank is greener or grows faster

If you want to check whether the septic tank needs pumping yourself, you can follow the steps below；

Step 1: Find and Open the Septic Tank Over

The septic tank cover is usually located 4-5 feet underground. If you find and open it, you cannot leave it unattended.

Step 2: Check the Thickness of the Scum

Check if the scum at the top of the septic tank reaches a thickness of 6 inches.

Step 3: Check the Thickness of the Sludge

You need to purchase a specific sludge measuring stick and use it to touch the bottom of the septic tank while keeping it upright. The sludge will stick to the liquid level rod, and you need to check if the thickness of the sludge reaches 1 foot (12 inches).

What Happens if Your Septic Tank is Full?

If your septic tank is full and you don’t pump it out, it can cause the following situations:

Environmental Pollution: Wastewater can seep into groundwater, polluting lakes and oceans, and seriously harm the environment.

Healthy Problem: Septic tanks contain wastewater treated with bacteria. If the septic tank is full and not pumped in time, it can have an impact on humans and animals and may lead to bacterial infections.

Drain Field Failure: Sludge can clog the drainage field, causing problems with the operation of the septic tank system.

Plumbing Problem: Scum can clog drainage pipes, preventing household wastewater from flowing into septic tanks.

Overflow: Wastewater will flood your yard.

Foul odors: Wastewater emits unpleasant odors that can affect the use and operation of the septic tank. If it’s serious, you need to replace the septic tank system. The cost of replacement is approximately $5000 to $15000+.

What Happens if You Pump More Often Than Necessary?

Frequent pumping of septic tanks can lead to insufficient scum and sludge in the tank, reducing the biomass level inside the septic tank. If you pump too frequently, it may cause bacteria to enter the drainage field through the pump inlet, causing malfunctions.

For you, frequent pumping requires more pumping costs. If frequent pumping failures require replacement of the septic tank system, it will also generate additional operating costs.

So the pumping frequency of septic tanks is very important, which not only affects the use of septic tanks, but also affects the cost of use.

Pro Tips to Extend Your Septic System Life

• Use water efficiently
• Fix leaks as soon as possible
• Avoid flushing wipes, grease, or chemicals
• Schedule regular inspections

Conclusion

The pumping frequency of septic tanks affects many aspects, mainly affecting your quality of life, as well as the service life of septic tanks and the pollution of the living environment. You need to actively inspect and monitor the septic tank to help you use your home’s septic system efficiently. If you are unsure when to pump your tank, you can also contact me, and I will give you some better advice.

FAQ

Can I pump out a septic tank myself?

No. There are relevant legal provisions governing wastewater pumping. It is not suitable for beginners. You’d better contact a professionally certified pumping company to pump wastewater.

How much does it cost to pump the septic tank each time?

The cost of pumping depends on the capacity of the septic tank. You can refer to the pumping cost per gallon below to calculate the cost of each pumping operation： 

Can rainwater go into my Septic Tank?

No. Rainwater should never be piped into your septic tank. It is likely to drain the septic tank.

How to prevent overflow？

To prevent overflow, regular inspections and maintenance should be arranged. Pay attention to your water usage, avoid rinsing non-biodegradable items, and monitor any signs of system pressure.

How often should the septic tank be pumped in the town?

Many townships require you to pump your septic tank out every 2-4 years. If you live in Lebanon County, you can click here to view its individual pumping ordinances.

How to choose a septic tank pumping service?

It is important to choose a reputable company when choosing septic tank pumping services. Here are some tips for pumping service:

• Check for licensing and insurance
• Read reviews
• Get a quote
• Ask about additional services

Can I use chemical additives to avoid pumping?

No. Although some additives claim to decompose solids, they can damage the balance of bacteria in the system and may even cause harm to them. Regular pumping is still necessary.