How often should I pump my septic tank? This is not only a question we get asked a lot at Felix, but it is a question that almost every homeowner wonders about if they’re smart. Thinking about your septic system maintenance is crucial to being a homeowner, especially if you’re like our customers, and don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on repairs! Regular maintenance of your septic system can increase the life of that system and also relieve you of the many headaches that could come with forgetting to schedule your pumping.
While we have heard some companies talk about there not being a specific timeframe to think about pumping your septic tank, and we have heard other companies talk about getting them done more frequently than really needed, we at Felix Septic Services have a much more refined opinion on the frequency that you would need someone like us to pump out your tank. We’ll let you in on a little secret too, this “opinion” is actually based on some science, research, and a lifetime of experience. So let’s start talking about septic systems and how frequently you should pump your tank.
Septic Tank Pumping Frequency
It is common knowledge that your septic system is going to last longer if it’s pumped regularly. Bacteria convert most of the solids to liquids, but some solids do remain and that is why you would pump your tank. If those solids go unattended to, they clog the field lines and the system will need to be replaced, there is no going back from that. Common myths exist that say septic systems last forever, but in reality, nearly 10-30% of systems fail every year. You don’t expect your car to last forever, so you take it in for service, and your septic tank should be treated the same way.
The average time for “how often your septic tank should be pumped” is about 2-3 years, but that’s just an average. Below is a chart developed by researchers at Penn State University.
The cost to properly maintain your septic system is far less than many of the alternatives. City sewer can run households $400-700 a year where the average cost to have your septic tank pumped is half of that. If you don’t maintain your system, you run the risk of prematurely destroying your drain field and could face costs, on average, of over $5,000! A few hundred dollars doesn’t seem so bad when you think about it.
If you haven’t had your septic tank pumped recently or want some professional insight as to where your tank’s health is at, feel free to give us a call at (603) 945-7355. We have professionals ready to answer your questions and provide some information on how you can take care of your overall system. We’ll even remind you based on your household and tank size when it’s time to do it again. How’s that for customer service (or peace of mind)?