Septic tanks do not require much maintenance As long as you avoid flushing harmful chemicals and non-biodegradable items down the drain or toilet.
However, you have to make sure that you are pumping the septic tank regularly. According to the EPA, septic tanks should be pumped once every three to five years to keep the septic system healthy and working as intended.
How often a septic system needs to be pumped depends on several key factors, including the size of the septic tank, the size of the home, and average water usage.
We asked experts to find out how often you should pump your septic tank.
meet the expert
Josh Mitchell A professional plumbing technician and owner of the plumbing-focused website PlumbingLab.com, where he and his team provide plumbing advice, reviews, and helpful guides for tackling DIY plumbing projects.
How does a septic system work?
Septic systems are designed to handle a significant amount of waste generated from a home.
“A septic tank is a passive filtration system that separates the waste into three layers,” says Josh Mitchell, plumbing technician and owner of Plumbing Lab.com. Bacteria in the tank break down some of the waste, but over time, Mud and scum accumulates on top, requiring manual removal.”
When wastewater from a home flows into a septic tank, any heavy solids sink to the bottom of the tank, where they form a layer of sludge. Lighter waste, such as oil or grease, float to the top to form the scum layer, while the middle layer is made up of liquid waste called effluent which is released into the drain field for further filtration and decomposition.
Naturally occurring bacteria and microorganisms inside the tank use a process called anaerobic digestion to help decompose solid waste, reducing the amount of sludge and scum.
If the tank is not pumped once every three to five years, sludge and scum will eventually accumulate to such an extent that the septic system will stop functioning properly.
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How often should you pump your septic tank?
Generally, average septic tank Pumping should be done once every three to five years, but the specific frequency of septic tank pumping depends on several key factors, including the size of the home, average water usage, size of the septic tank, and more.
household size
The more people living in the same house or using a shared septic tank, the more waste has to be collected, separated, filtered and decomposed.
“A 1,000-gallon tank in a two-person household might last five years, while the same tank in a four-person household might need to be pumped every three years,” says Mitchell.
average water use
The amount of water used in a home also contributes to the frequency of septic tank pumping.
“Large families or homes with heavy water use (e.g. washing clothes frequently or prolonged rains) may require more attention,” says Mitchell.
So even if the home is relatively small, if water usage is excessive, you may need to pump the tank more frequently than a similarly sized home with more conservative water usage habits.
Septic tank size
Larger tanks are able to hold more waste before sludge and scum accumulation can affect the operation of the septic system, which is why it is essential to find out the exact size of your septic system.
“If you’re unsure, a professional inspection every one to two years can help you decide,” says Mitchell.
Septic system condition
Relatively new and well-maintained septic systems will not need to be pumped as frequently as older, neglected septic tanks whose overall capacity has been reduced due to sludge and scum.
type of waste
Septic systems are built to handle regular household waste, but if you pour cleaning chemicals down the drain it can affect the operation of the septic system.
“Avoid flushing non-biodegradable items (wipes, sanitary products) or pouring grease down drains, as they can clog the system,” says Mitchell.
How to maintain septic tank
Homeowners need to continue maintaining septic systems to ensure that the tank remains healthy and that the accumulation of mud and scum does not hinder the filtration process.
- Regular inspections help identify problems early and may be required by law depending on where you live.
- Reduce household water use to reduce the load on the septic system.
- Divert water from downspouts, driveways, patios and sump pumps away from the septic tank and drain field.
- Address septic system problems as soon as possible to reduce the risk of minor problems turning into major repairs.
- Avoid driving vehicles or heavy equipment over the septic tank and drain field to avoid damage to the septic system.
- Use Septic-Safe Cleaning Products And flush only biodegradable items down the drain or toilet.
