How Often Should You Have Your Septic Tank Pumped?

Septic tank cleaning is vital for maintaining your septic system. When a septic tank has too much solid waste, it can cause overflow problems that can contaminate your drain field or building. Septic tank pumping should be performed as preventive maintenance to avoid septic system failure. Finding the right pumping schedule for your needs can prevent expensive septic system issues at your home or business.

When Does a Septic Tank Need to be Pumped?

Septic tanks hold the water and waste that goes down the drains in your home or business. Solid waste sinks to the bottom, and the liquid waste stays on top. As solids dissolve, they become part of the effluent, or wastewater, which overflows through the outlet baffle to the distribution box, drain field or mound system.

Over time, the solid waste at the bottom of the septic tank creates a sludge and scum layer. This waste needs to be contained in the tank and cannot be allowed to fill more than 30% of the tank’s volume. If the solid waste accumulates to more than a third of the tank, it can begin to seep out of the tank. The tank needs to be pumped before this occurs to avoid sewage backups and septic system failure.

Frequency of Septic Tank Cleaning

There is not a set schedule for septic tank cleaning, as every home and business may accumulate solid waste at different speeds. Septic tanks vary in size, and waste use varies per home or business. Households that conserve on water use, compost foods and have less people will accumulate waste slower in their septic tanks. Large families may have more waste go down their drains and sludge can build up faster in their septic system. The same is true for businesses, as the frequency of tank pumping depends on the tank size and amount of waste going down the drains.

For most homes, septic tank pumping and cleaning is needed every 3-5 years. Businesses usually require more frequent cleaning, often once every 1-2 years. At Eco Pump Services, we can help our customers determine the best schedule to match their usage and tank size.

If you own a home or business in South Florida with a septic system, keep it maintained with routine septic tank pumping and cleaning. For over 25 years, Eco Pump Services has been serving our customers in the greater Miami and Ft. Lauderdale area. If you want to know if it’s time to pump your septic tank, call us at Eco Pump Services. We can help you determine the best tank cleaning frequency to protect your septic system.