The most common question
is how often does my septic system need to be pumped?
How often your septic tank needs to be pumped depends on how
many people live in your house. On average if you have a 1,000-gallon
tank and 8 people live in your house then it should be pumped every year. But
on average pumping should be every 3 to 5 years.
How do I know when my
septic tank needs to be pumped?
If you find areas of pooling water on your lawn after a
heavy rain or a big puddle around the drain field of your septic system this is
a sign that your septic tank may need to be pumped. Another sign that your
septic system needs pumping might be if, all-of-a-sudden, the drains in your home
start draining slow. If you start to notice an odor, then your septic system
could need pumping. Your lawn could become overly healthy, green if there is a
backup of your septic system.
How do I know if my septic
tank is failing?
Your septic tank could have problems if the toilets, sinks,
drains are backing up or draining very slowly. If there is a gurgling sound in
the plumbing, you could have septic problems. Smell, standing water or wet near
the septic tank or drain field means you could have septic problems. Bright
green grass over the tank or drain field could also mean septic problems. If
there are high levels of nitrates or coliform bacteria in well water your
septic system could need attention.
How often should my septic
system be inspected?
It is recommended that your septic system be checked
annually. It is best to catch any early onset of a septic system problem. Like
anything, catching a small problem is cheaper to fix than waiting until after
it has become a bigger problem.
Tips on disposal of waste.
Your drain is not a trash can! To help the life of your
septic system keep these tips in mind:
Never flush anything except human waste and toilet paper.
Everything that goes down your drain goes into your septic system and affects
how well your system works and lasts.
This means do not flush cooking grease, cigarette butts,
diapers, wipes, feminine hygiene products, condoms, dental floss, coffee
grinds, paper towels, cat litter, or any type of chemicals pharmaceuticals.
Avoid chemical drain openers, instead use a drain snake and hot water.
