Maintaining a well-functioning septic system doesn’t happen by accident, but by homeowners knowing their septic tank needs, how their septic system works. They also know the correct additives to go IN the septic system, and keeping the correct things OUT of the sewer system.
The other part of a properly cared for septic system is having the septic tank pumped on a regular basis. Septic tank pumping is also referred to as septic tank cleaning, and is the process of using a vacuum truck to suck the sewage out of the tank.
When Should I Get My Septic Tank Pumped?
How often a septic tank needs to be pumped depends on the size of the septic holding tank, as well as the number of people in the home and how much wastewater, liquid waste, solid waste, and water usage.
For most households, a septic tank should be on a pumping schedule of once every three to four years for households with four people.
If the washing machine is used more often than usual, running the garbage disposal often, leaving faucets on, can all lead to the tank filling faster. Water-efficient showerheads can help curb some of this, as well as modifying your water usage behaviors to prevent needing a pump out sooner rather than later.
There is also solid waste such as excessive amounts of toilet paper, coffee grounds, or the incorrect chemicals down the drain which can affect the ecosystem in your septic tank. These can cause too much buildup on the bottom of the tank and clog the baffles, in which case a pumping service will need to be called.
The state of the leach field (or drain field) can also affect performance. Drain field issues are difficult to correct, as drain fields require many hours and manpower to address groundwater issues. If grinder or effluent pumps, as well as ejector pumps are installed for septic pumping, then the maintenance of those will need to be scheduled.
Septic tank maintenance can help extend the lifespan of the system, and proper wastewater treatment and good septic system practices can help avoid clogging and sewage backups.
Septic Tank Pumping Costs
At A-1, we place our septic tank pumping costs on our plumbing prices page, as well as costs for sewer line drain cleaning, and more.
The costs will vary based on the size of the tank (most prices include the first 1000 gallons) septic tank systems will vary in their holding tank size, but most are 1000, 1500, or 2000 gallon tanks.
Septic system maintenance and pumping should be on a schedule based on the factors previously mentioned, but chances are you won’t need them pumped more than once each year unless you are experiencing lateral issues (drain field or leach field)
There are times when the septic tank doesn’t need to be pumped but the outlet pipe is clogged, causing your septic problem. In that case, a pumper isn’t the solution, but a drain cleaning professional to clean the clogging line and release the backup.
Call A-1 Sewer & Septic For All Your Sewer Tank Pumping Needs
If you need your septic tank pumped in Kansas City, contact a professional plumber like A-1 Sewer & Septic Service Inc. We use modern 4,000-gallon capacity vacuum trucks and provide our services for residential, commercial, and industrial properties. Give us a call today at 913-382-5655 to learn more or schedule an appointment.
