How Often Should You Pump Your Septic Tank
Most Polk County residents have a septic system, as do most Floridians. One of the key elements to maintaining your septic system is having your septic tank pumped. That raises a question- how often should you pump your septic tank? Let’s take a closer look.
Your Septic System
In order to maintain your septic tank, it’s crucial to understand what your septic system is. Essentially, your septic tank is a self-contained, underground wastewater treatment system. It takes in all of the unclean water from your home, divides the solids from the liquids, and then permits the liquid to percolate into the soil in the drain field. The solids will then start to decompose because of bacteria that live in your soil.
How Do You Know Your Septic Tank Needs Pumping?
- There are a number of signs that indicate your septic tank needs to be drained. Here are a few:
- Your bathtub, shower, and sinks take longer than normal to drain.
- Your toilet backs up when you flush it.
- You smell a horrible odor around your septic tank and drain field.
- When you drain water or flush toilets, you have gurgling sounds in the plumbing.
- Normal Inspection and Pumping of Your Septic Tank
One of the key factors in maintaining your septic system is routine inspection and pumping. Solid waste can gather over time and possibly obstruct your septic system if you don’t have your septic tank checked regularly; it can become an issue. So, that leads us to our next question: how often should you pump a septic tank?
How Often Should Your Septic Tank be Pumped?
The standard answer is between three and five years, but there are factors in those estimates. If you have a large household, it can quickly fill up a septic tank with waste. If you use a lot of water, a septic tank can reach a saturation point where it will back up. If you have a smaller septic tank, it will behoove you to pump it with increased frequency.
Why Should You Have Your Septic Tank Pumped Often?
There are a number of benefits if you are diligent about keeping your septic tank pumped. Here are a few:
- Regular septic tank pumping will expand its lifespan by reducing stress on it and the drain field.
- It prevents messy backups due to clogs.
- It prevents expensive septic tank repairs in the future.
- It keeps your groundwater clean by making sure contaminants aren’t leaking out of the septic tank.
Only Use a Licensed and Insured Septic Company
If you want to ensure that your septic tank is pumped correctly and won’t be damaged by amateurs, then hiring an experienced septic company that is also licensed and insured is vital.
To Sum Up
Your septic tank is an essential component of your home that needs periodic care. You can keep your septic system functioning by having it pumped regularly.
Let Lakeland Septic Pump Your Septic Tank
We are the Polk and Hillsborough County septic tank experts. Get in touch with us today to have your septic tank pumped. Don’t wait until you have to clean up a biohazard in your own home; get in contact now.