So When Should I pump?

One of the most frequently asked questions in the business (besides “was the tank full?”), is “When should I pump?”  In fact, if you ask 100 different people you’d probably get 100 different answers.  Some folks say every two years, some say the first Friday following the full moon in October, and some even say … “What, you need to pump that thing?”

The fact of the matter is pumping frequency depends on how you use your system.  No two households use their septic in the same manner as plumbing, washing habits, cleaning agents, number of household residents, and even cooking habits can all impact the strain on your septic system.

It’s important to note that the single most important factor in determining the utilization rate of your system is the amount of water you put through it.  Leaky faucets, running toilets, and drippy showerheads all unnecessarily put excess strain on systems resulting in costly failures.  Conversely, low flow toilets, water efficient appliances, and spreading your water use across the day are simple, easy things you can do to help maintain and prolong your system life.

If you use a garbage disposal the organic load increase on your system is dramatic.  Septic systems simply aren’t designed to handle significant amounts of raw, unprocessed organic matter so that’s another factor to consider.   Cooking greases and oils that end up down the drain also place significant strain on tank biology and leaching fields so whenever possible collect and dispose of used fats and oils in the trash as opposed to the drain.

So if you’ve got a houseful of teenage girls who take half an hour showers and use every kind of conditioner and hair care product on the market, you’re going to want to pump more frequently.  If you are single or your household is simply a low volume user of water, you may be able to go much longer between maintenance calls.

Keep in mind regular pumping and maintenance is the most important thing you can do to prevent costly septic failure!

If you have a question or would like to speak with one of our technicians, give us a call – we are happy to ask you a few simple questions and figure out the proper maintenance cycle for you and your system!  

Last updated: June 16, 2011