If you live in the historic county of Macon, GA, or the surrounding areas, there’s a good chance you have a septic tank. You may have asked yourself, “how often should I pump my septic tank?” Septic tank pumping is an important part of routine maintenance to prevent serious issues and costly repairs. The experts at Ricky Heath Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling provide a range of professional septic services for Macon county homeowners, and we have some advice about pumping out your septic tank to help you keep things moving.
General Guidelines for Pumping Out a Septic Tank
Every home with a septic pump should have the system inspected, pumped, and maintained regularly to prevent issues. While guidelines vary based on several factors, it’s still important to make sure that you’re following a routine schedule for your septic tank and septic system maintenance. If you use a garbage disposal, you may need to have the tank pumped more often than if you don’t. Older septic systems become less efficient over time, which means they could require pumping more frequently than newly installed systems.
Typical schedule for most homes
So, how often does a septic need to be pumped? According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), most homeowners should have their septic tanks inspected and pumped at least every three to five years. Systems that use an electric pump, electric float switch, or other specific mechanical components may need inspections once per year rather than every three to five years. The size of your home, how much wastewater your family generates, and your septic tank’s size may also determine how often the tank should be pumped.
Factors That Affect How Often a Septic Needs to Be Pumped
Here’s some more in-depth information regarding the factors that determine how often your septic tank should be pumped.
The size of your household
If you have a larger household, you use more water by default. This means you’re generating more wastewater and solid waste than a smaller household, which leads to scum and sludge accumulating inside your tank at a faster rate. As a result, you’ll need more frequent tank pumping than an average-sized household of around two to four people.
Waste
Homes with a garbage disposal may need to have the septic tank pumped more often because food and other solid waste go directly down the drain and into the septic tank. Flushing items you shouldn’t, like feminine products, wipes, and paper towels, will also require more frequent pumping and could cause a backup, making pumping out the septic tank more time-consuming or labor-intensive.
Tank size and water usage
A large septic tank holds more sludge and scum than a smaller one, which means you may be able to extend the time between pumpings. If your home uses a lot of water for bathing, cooking, laundry, and dishes, it could impact your system’s functionality and might require you to have it pumped more often. Even if your household size is small or average, using a lot of water will require more frequent tank pumpings.
Other factors to consider
Older septic systems usually need to be pumped more often than newer ones. Drain field efficiency and the type of waste that enters your system also impact your tank’s pumping needs. Improper disposal of non-biodegradable items could require you to schedule an emergency septic tank pumping service.
Signs It’s Time to Pump Your Septic Tank
If you’re not sure when to pump your septic tank, there may be some signs that indicate it’s time to schedule service. Look for these common signs that may indicate you need to have your septic tank pumped.
- Drain issues: If several drains in your home are slow or clogged, it could be a sign that your septic tank is full and should be pumped as soon as possible.
- Sewer backups: Sewage backing up into your home (into the toilets, sinks, or showers) is a major red flag that you need to have the tank pumped by a trained professional.
- Unpleasant odors: The strong, foul odor of sewage around your yard, near the drain field, or near the tank itself, is a surefire sign that it needs attention.
- Gurgling noises: Strange gurgling noises in your plumbing, especially when you run water or flush the toilet, could mean that air is trapped because the septic tank is full.
- Standing water: Unusually lush and green patches of grass, soggy areas, or standing water in your yard near the tank or drain field is another sign that your septic tank should be inspected and pumped or repaired.
- You hear the septic alarm: Your septic alarm is designed to alert you of a problem, and may indicate that your tank is about to overflow, it’s backed up, or water levels in the pump chamber are too high.
- Why Regular Septic Tank Pumping Is Important
Whether your home or commercial business uses a septic tank, routine pumping is vital. Here’s why regular septic tank pumping is so important.
It prevents costly repairs
Routine pumping is key to preventing costly repairs or the need for a replacement. Solid waste accumulates in the tank over time and can lead to clogs and backups in your system if it’s not removed. Waiting too long between pumpings may also damage your drain field or cause sewage and wastewater to back up into your home. Pumping removes sludge and scum to prevent possible damage and expensive repairs.
Keeps the system more efficient
When the septic tank is full, it can’t operate as efficiently as it should. This also affects its capacity to store wastewater, which may lead to a backup. Routine pumping is a good way to make sure that your septic tank works properly and keeps the wastewater separated and treated. Good efficiency is even more important when your household uses a lot of water.
It’s better for the environment
A full septic tank may leach harmful viruses, bacteria, and other contaminants into the groundwater and soil. This may lead to the contamination of drinking water and nearby waterways. Getting your tank pumped regularly prevents this by removing the water before it can harm the environment. You also won’t need to worry about dealing with unpleasant odors and a messy, soggy yard.
Septic Tank Maintenance Tips for Homeowners
Follow these septic tank maintenance tips to protect your system in your Macon or Bonaire, GA area home.
- Be mindful of what you flush down the toilet, and never flush paper towels, wipes, or other non-biodegradable items.
- Consider installing water-efficient appliances and fixtures to help you conserve water usage to avoid overfilling the septic tank.
- Minimize garbage disposal use, and never pour grease, coffee grinds, or cooking oils down your drain.
- Make sure your drain field is clear of debris and check to make sure that no trees or other deep-rooting plants are located near your septic tank.
- Avoid using chemical drain cleaners or use them sparingly, and consider using a septic system additive to promote beneficial bacteria growth inside the tank.
Call Ricky Heath Today!
The team at Ricky Heath Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling provides expert septic tank pumping services for homeowners in Warner Robins, Macon, and beyond with care, speed, and quality. If you think your septic tank needs to be pumped, we’re available to help. To schedule septic service with Ricky Heath, contact us today!
