Proper maintenance of your septic system has a huge impact
on the performance and longevity of your septic tank. Although guidelines
recommend that you pump out your tank every three to five years,
several factors can influence how often you need to pump your system.
Failure to pump your septic tank on time may cause solid
waste to build up at the bottom of the tank. Solid waste accumulation could
reduce the amount of waste your tank can handle. Eventually, some of the waste
will reenter the drain pipes, resulting in clogs and waste backups. Luckily,
these three factors may help you have an idea of how often you should pump your
system.
1. Your Household Size
The more people you have in your home, the more waste your
system is likely to handle. You can expect shorter intervals in between pumping
sessions.
For instance, during the holidays, you may have friends and
family coming over more frequently than usual. The sudden influx of people may
cause your septic tank to fill up much quicker. To avoid any problems with
performance, you may need to schedule septic tank pumping sooner.
Similarly, a growing family may place your septic tank under
more pressure to handle the increased waste - especially if you have an
average-sized tank. In the same fashion, if your household size reduces, you
can readjust your pumping schedule by increasing the time between one pumping
session and the next.
Working closely with your septic tank expert can help you
decide on a reasonable schedule that doesn't put a lot of strain on your
system.
2. Your Tank's Size
Standard septic tank sizes range from 1000 to 3500 gallons.
Your septic tank size often depends on the number of people or bedrooms in the
house. Generally, a smaller septic tank may need pumping more frequently than a
larger unit.
But still, you shouldn't assume that your septic tank is the
right size for you and your family, especially if other people have owned your
home in the past. The previous owner's water usage habits or family size may
not be the same as yours.
If you're unsure of your tank's size, you could go through
your home purchase documents to find out. If that's not an option, your septic
contractor can determine the exact capacity after completing the first pumping
session.
3. Your Use of a Garbage Disposal
Your garbage disposal works by grinding the food scraps you
dump in the kitchen drain. The grinder turns the scraps into a fine sludge that
can go down your septic system with ease. In doing so, these food waste
disposers eventually add solid waste to your septic tank.
Generally, the more solid waste going into your tank, the
quicker your septic tank fills up. If you frequently run your garbage disposal,
you might have to schedule septic pumping sessions more often. However, if you
only run your garbage disposal once or twice every week, your septic tank may
not fill up as quickly.
You could find more efficient ways to dispose of your food
waste if you want to keep things simple. But if you can't do without your
garbage disposal, your septic tank contractor can help you draft a pumping
schedule that will ensure a smooth system performance.
Septic tanks are often deep in the ground, and you may have
difficulty telling when yours is full. But with the factors above in mind, you
can easily estimate the waste level in the tank. Such an approach can help you
determine when your next pumping appointment should be. But if you need more
guidance on setting up a schedule, contact The Nibbler Company today.
