Inspect and Pump Frequently
The average household septic system should be inspected at least every three years by a septic service professional. Household septic tanks are typically pumped every three to five years. Alternative systems with electrical float switches, pumps, or mechanical components should be inspected more often, generally once a year. A service contract is important since alternative systems have mechanized parts.
These are the major factors that influence how often to pump your septic system:
- Household size
- Total wastewater generated
- Volume of solids in wastewater
- Septic tank size
Failure to maintain or pump the system leads to surface water pollution including algae blooms, human health hazards, disease to local wildlife and harm to our ecosystem. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) more than four billion gallons of wastewater from septic systems are dispersed underground every day.
“I’ve lived in this house many years and never pumped my septic tank, is that a problem?”
If the household has more than several occupants, this could mean several things;
- The tank may have a leak and the water is going directly into the ground instead of into the designed drain fields.
- The tank could be full of solids, they could be slowly migrating into the drain fields and will eventually create a costly fix, potentially having to replace the whole system.
If the Grass is Greener check your septic!