How often do you have your spetic tank pumped?

[daddycreswell]

I have lived in my current house 11 years, and I have never had it pumped. I think it's a 750 gallon tank with a household of 5 people. I am not having any problems with it, just wondered. How often am I suppose to have it pumped?

 

[ishiboo]

Our county/state requires it every 3 years, I believe. It's a good thing to have it pumped at least once every few years... essentially the drain field should last indefinitely, but the solids should be pumped out. Your biggest concern is not knowing the actual status of the "solids" side, that they don't fill up and start making their way into the drain field.

Once you know how much a new system costs, $40 a year for a pump out every 3 years is a pretty awesome insurance policy.

 

[OzarkMan]

We bought a house with a 1000 gal septic tank two years ago. First for us with septic. It seems that no one does much for these until there is a failure. We had an inspection and had to sign papers to keep up the maintenance on our septic which includes pumping it out every three years. Its just my wife and I in this house. I figure if I do it every 4 years it would be a safe bet. My buddy in MO does his every election season (4 years). He claims its a good reminder as the white house changes by cleaning out the **** in office. Love that analogy!

 

[uniballer]

My tank was put in 1989, never been pumped. Dont flush stupid stuff, it flowed fine thru the drain field.

 

[ford fanatic]

Our county/state requires it every 3 years, I believe. It's a good thing to have it pumped at least once every few years... essentially the drain field should last indefinitely, but the solids should be pumped out. Your biggest concern is not knowing the actual status of the "solids" side, that they don't fill up and start making their way into the drain field.

Once you know how much a new system costs, $40 a year for a pump out every 3 years is a pretty awesome insurance policy.

$40 is cheap, I would do it more often for that. I have a guy that does it for $99, and he is the cheapest by about fifty bucks.

I've done mine twice in 10 years, average is 2 people.

 

[texasprd]

Given the scenario, I'd say you're pretty overdue for pumping.

In my area of TX, 1000gal tanks are typical, and there is no regulation on pumping frequency. Much depends on your usage patterns, but with a smaller tank and household size like yours I'd try pumping again three years after your first pumping and ask the septic guy how it looks - then adjust interval.

 

[terry603]

Our county/state requires it every 3 years, I believe. It's a good thing to have it pumped at least once every few years... essentially the drain field should last indefinitely, but the solids should be pumped out. Your biggest concern is not knowing the actual status of the "solids" side, that they don't fill up and start making their way into the drain field.

Once you know how much a new system costs, $40 a year for a pump out every 3 years is a pretty awesome insurance policy.

40.00 dollars? wow

I do mine about every 6-7 years
1500 gallon tank, about 5 years ago cost me 250.00 and I dug for access

 

[Angelfire]

Our drain field failed after living in the house about 3 years (we're the 2nd owners). Had to reroute to another part of the property. It's probably only a matter of time before it fails again due to the soil we're in (according to the septic guys). That being said, we probably pump it out every 3 years or so and it runs about $150 a shot.
Cheers.

 

[Professur]

1200g holding tank at the cottage pumped every 2 years whether it needs it or not .. municipal by-law.

 

[kwschumm]

Our house has a big 1500 gallon tank for two people so we have it pumped every five years. If it was a 750-1000 gallon tank it would be done every three years instead. Pumping isn't all that expensive compared to septic system replacement.

 

[shelteredV]

Holy ****! (pun intended) $40? $99? Really?? Try $750.00 where I am, and that's a contractor rate! I introduce microbes every 4 months or so to help it, but we don't have a mandatory pump statute in place.

 

[Blk88GT]

I live near a body of water that mandates no leach fields, holding tank only. 4 of us in the house, pump every 6 weeks at $125 a shot.

When I lived in a place that had a field, I'd get it pumped once a year. It was cheap insurance vs a failed field.

 

[CJ7VFR]

When we bought our house in May 2010, the owners had just put in 3 1250 gallon tanks all hooked up in series. I guess the solids are supposed to settle in the first tank, then any left over stuff flows into the second tank, and then by the time stuff flows into the third tank it is pretty clean and then flows into the leaching field.

The former owners were going to bring her ailing mother back to live with them and they also had a boarder living with them too. They had just put this big *** septic system in when they decided to move down to where the mother was and sell the house.

When we were in the process of buying the place we had to have the system pumped out (the township zoning required it for anyone buying and selling a house) and it cost us $750.00.

The guys that had the pumping business gave me a card that had the size of the tank(s) on one side and how many people lived in the house across the bottom. You select your tank size and number of people and where those two things intersected was how many years they recommended you have the tank(s) pumped out.

My situation said to have the system pumped every 7-8 years. We will be here 7 years May 2017, and I will probably call the pump guys to come and out and look at it, and if it needs pumping I will have them do it.

Jim

 

[jives]

3 bathrooms, 8 people, 750g tank plus a pumping tank (sewage is pumped uphill to the raised sand filter). Pumped every 4 years. And needs it.

Old house had a drain field failure. Not fun in the grass. Also led to backing up into the house (basement). Not fun either.

 

[Homebody]

The "holding tank" in our house when we moved in to it was a single 55 gallon barrel coated with roofing tar. Had never been pumped and worked fine for 23 years.

We pump the new one every 3 years, but ya - if it's working right it should never need pumped.

 

[TerryH]

Been in the house for 22 years. Just pumped the tank for the 2nd time. Most of the 22 years there were 4 people. Only 2 now. I also have a lift station/pump. Have to pump over a crest in the property. Cost me $275 to get mine pumped.

 

[finn]

Our tank was installed in 1990 and pumped for the first time in 2014 when we had to move it a few feet to make room for a house addition.

It was full of solids and the contractor recommended going to a three year cycle to avoid problems.

The house was only occupied seasonally for twenty of the twenty four years, which extended the life considerably.

 

[Fastowl]

We have three at our ranch (one is new this year); had the two older ones pumped this year (first time in 6 years) and would expect to do them every 5-7 years; the septic guy that we use also suggests about every 5 years for us. No idea what it costs, the SWMBO takes care of the payment.

We don't live there full time but other times we have as many as 20 folks there for a few days. I don't remember off the top of my head the size of the tanks; # of commodes are 3;1 and 1 feeding the three tanks. Again we avoid putting lots of other stuff down there although we have garbage disposals feeding into a couple that are used occasionally.

 

[Moose97]

15 years and it still hasn't needed pumping...

 

[matt_i]

I have 2 tanks back to back, probably mandated by local code. I pumped mine at 7 years (2 before me and 5 with me), about 75% full in the first tank in my estimation. Costs around $500 to do both. They also had a $75 charge if they have to do full-service meaning locate and dig up the covers. I did all of that part.

I guesstimate around $15k to replace the drainfield if it were to stop perking due to solids that overflowed the weir and plugged the field. I don't believe one can find a contractor to piecemeal change parts of the system in an effort to "repair" it...its going to be complete tearup and replace. It seems like pretty cheap overall cost to be dilligent about planned maintenance.

My other free opinion is also about turbulent flow in the tank created by big outflux of water. The old top loading washers dump a relatively huge outflow of water into the system that creates a more turbulent flow over the weir and can "stir up more ****". The front loaders use considerably less water, especially if jamming multiple loads on the same day.

I have heard about and practice not dumping the water softener discharge into the septic system. The brine is denser than freshwater and can again cause an inversion in the tank that is prone to lift more solids.

 

[willf650]

I have three tanks on mine. I'm not sure of the total holding capacity but I was told we are required to have them pumped every three years. I've only lived here a few years but had it pumped after the second year here and I'm about due now. It cost me about $150 last time around.

My system has a pump in the third tank that pumps to the field.

 

[Jeepster04]

Technically a properly functioning tank should never need to be pumped. Im amazed at these rules and regulations that force you to have the tank pumped. When I lived with my parents they had it pumped out twice from the time I was born till they sold it ~25 years later. Once was b/c we had to replaced the lines going to the tank and the other was b/c pops wanted to.

I imagine where I'm from a lot of people still straight pipe to the creek....

 

[matt_i]

Technically a properly functioning tank should never need to be pumped.

Where do the solids go that sink into the tank...they can't just break down into liquid...if the solids fill the tank up to the point where the normal flow is sweeping them over the weir, eventually its going into the field....if there is no point in settling out solids why not just straight pipe it into the drainfield...

I have heard a lot of vast untruths from realtors in my day regarding septics & drainfields...I get the fact that "it just goes into a hole in the ground" but its not something that can just be forgotten.

 

[TractorJeff]

Its not just broken down poop solids, its the stuff that goes down the kitchen sink (organic/non-organic) and the lint/dirt from the wash machine. A huge soap/grease scum usually covers the liquid in a tank. Too thick and it will start working its way down the lines to your field.
We are required in our Township to pump every 3 years. This past Spring was $135 and he does my neighbors tank from my driveway too, so we maybe saving a little for convenience.

 

[reader2580]

The state requires pumping septic systems every three years. I bought the house in Sept 2014 and it was pumped in May 2014. This reminds me I need to make a note on my calendar to do this in May 2017.

 

[Marctrees]

15yrs and no pumping out?

Aren't you risking having solids flow out to the drainfied?????

Obviously, depends alot on exact "type" of system, usage details, # of people, ********/ Baby synthetic non degrading wipes (BAD) etc.

$40 ?? WOW, he won't be around for long. Marc

 

[velillen01]

I had mine pumped out in 2011 when I bought my house. Which actually pissed me off as when selling a house you are supposed to have it pumped (in my area). Among other things its one of the things the previous owner, who was a builder in the area mind you, didn't do. Cost me 350 if I remember right.

One of the nice and bad things is its not a typical gravity setup. Its got an arreator and pumps and stuff to it. Doesn't move uphill or anything just a system cause I live next to a "creek" (drainage ditch only has water in the winter). I have to pay the county a $50 "fee" every year and have someone inspect it. So it costs me $250 a year. but the nice thing is the lady who inspects it checks levels and all the equipment so good knowing all that is good. Plus any problems I call her and she comes and looks into it for free. Any simple fixes (like replacing a bulb type stuff) she only charges for the parts.

 

[Flail]

Got girls? No matter how much you rant and rave they're gonna put non-digesting **** down the crapper. And let's not talk about the maroon who flushed a diaper which swelled up before it made it through the pipe?!?!?!?!?!?!? Get ours pumped every three years as have ****** soil. About $250 but cheaper than me replacing 275' of drainfield.

 

[PWC Repair]

Technically a properly functioning tank should never need to be pumped. Im amazed at these rules and regulations that force you to have the tank pumped. When I lived with my parents they had it pumped out twice from the time I was born till they sold it ~25 years later. Once was b/c we had to replaced the lines going to the tank and the other was b/c pops wanted to.

I imagine where I'm from a lot of people still straight pipe to the creek....

I have to agree with this. The problem is that many people with a septic system don't know how to treat it. The solids are eaten by bacteria....which must be maintained and not killed off. We flush a pack of Fleischmanns yeast down the toilet once a month. Some people use rid-x. You must also use soap products and toilet paper that are "septic safe". That means they can be broken down and not build up inside the holding tank. The rest of the liquid runs through a baffle (which keeps the floating scum in) and out to your drainfield. The Drainfield must also be properly designed.
18 years ago, shortly after I bought my house, I had to redo the whole drainfield, pipe to the tank, and had the tank pumped. Have done nothing since and it's only a 500 gallon with 3 of us in the house.

 

[ishiboo]

$40 is cheap, I would do it more often for that. I have a guy that does it for $99, and he is the cheapest by about fifty bucks.

I've done mine twice in 10 years, average is 2 people.

40.00 dollars? wow

I do mine about every 6-7 years
1500 gallon tank, about 5 years ago cost me 250.00 and I dug for access

Holy ****! (pun intended) $40? $99? Really?? Try $750.00 where I am, and that's a contractor rate! I introduce microbes every 4 months or so to help it, but we don't have a mandatory pump statute in place.

Just to clarify - I said $40 a year, which would be $120 per pump out. I think it's actually a bit more than that, but even at $100 a year that's better than $16,000 for a new system.

 

[ishiboo]

Technically a properly functioning tank should never need to be pumped. Im amazed at these rules and regulations that force you to have the tank pumped. When I lived with my parents they had it pumped out twice from the time I was born till they sold it ~25 years later. Once was b/c we had to replaced the lines going to the tank and the other was b/c pops wanted to.

I imagine where I'm from a lot of people still straight pipe to the creek....

In an ideal situation that is true... the septic system would last forever. Unfortunately there is almost no way to tell how things are going. So the county helps insure things continue to work and work properly by requiring a pump out.

 

[couch67]

we do ours every 3 years, 1000 gal, 4 people. Last pump was around 300 bucks.

About 5 years ago we also had a tank filter installed per the recommendation of the septic guy. It was a few hundred bucks, and from reading up on them they are cheap insurance. It basically prevents solids from exiting the tank into the field.

As mentioned in previous posts, everything biodegradable. Dont flush paper towel, we dont even flush kleenex. And the girls wrap their 'napkins' and dispose in the trash.

couch

 

[CJ7VFR]

Technically a properly functioning tank should never need to be pumped. Im amazed at these rules and regulations that force you to have the tank pumped. When I lived with my parents they had it pumped out twice from the time I was born till they sold it ~25 years later. Once was b/c we had to replaced the lines going to the tank and the other was b/c pops wanted to.

I imagine where I'm from a lot of people still straight pipe to the creek....

Did your parents place have a septic tank/leeching field, or did they have a cesspool system?

Where I grew up we had a cesspool system, which is different than a traditional septic system. I don't ever remember my dad having our cesspool pumped out until all the houses on our street were switched over to the newly installed city water and sewer system.

Everyone who had a cesspool or a more modern septic system had to have their systems pumped out, the cesspools filled in and the septic system tanks removed and the holes filled in.

I think that a "traditional" septic system, if working properly, would not need to have any type of product with yeast in it added to it if it was a perfectly working system. But as others have said, with all the things that get flushed or put down the drain that are not meant to be there, over time, even if the "****" was eaten away by the good bacteria, the other things that are not biodegradable would remain, and need to be pumped out before they got loose and made their way into the leeching field pipes and clogged everything up. That would be very expensive to replace versus pumping out your septic tank(s) every so often.

I look at it just like I do any type of insurance you have on your car or house or your own health insurance.

You may never need it, but when you do, it's a lot cheaper on your wallet than if you didn't have it.

Jim

 

[justanengineer]

I have to agree with this. The problem is that many people with a septic system don't know how to treat it. The solids are eaten by bacteria....which must be maintained and not killed off. We flush a pack of Fleischmanns yeast down the toilet once a month. Some people use rid-x. You must also use soap products and toilet paper that are "septic safe". That means they can be broken down and not build up inside the holding tank. The rest of the liquid runs through a baffle (which keeps the floating scum in) and out to your drainfield. The Drainfield must also be properly designed.

Agreed, keeping the bacteria in the tank healthy is hugely important and if maintained properly a septic system shouldnt ever need pumped. Drain cleaners and harsh soaps are huge no-nos for septics, not an occasional use, a hell-no-never-use sorta deal but most folks are ignorant of it and would rather pay the pump. The sad reality is that many look at the pump as a preventative measure against field failure, but the pump is quite often the cause of field failure by stirring **** up literally.

As mentioned in the other thread on grey water tanks, my folks' septic tank was installed 40 years ago and only opened once in the early 90s to check the level but never pumped. When the house was built they didnt even provision for it to be pumped.

 

[brownbagg]

house was built in 1972, the tank never been pump

 

[Jess]

Pumping on a regular schedule removes the grease, paper and other stuff that ends up in the bottom of the tank. As mentioned earlier, Kleenex tissues, paper towels and personal hygiene products have no place in a septic system. A healthy scum layer floating on top of a conventional septic tank is a sign of healthy anaerobic bacteria that reduces the waste in the first stage of the treatment. The second stage happens in the drain field where bacteria continue to work. Active systems using aeration, pumps and field dosing are a whole different situation and are also the ones that require a maintenance plan in order to continue functioning properly. I have two conventional septic systems and with careful use have never had an issue. My home has the tank pumped and inspected every 5 years to avoid issues. A pump out here cost over $500 due to the disposal costs at the far end.

 

[SH7mi]

1200g holding tank at the cottage pumped every 2 years whether it needs it or not .. municipal by-law.

1) How is this by-law enforced, meaning how does the municipal know if you're keeping the 2 year schedule?

2) In Pa. if you have your own septic its illegal to install a garbage disposal.

3) Never use colored TP, it does not break down easily.

4) If or when you do open up the holding tank and bugs come out, its working properly

5) Some of our laws are illogical regarding septic i.e. Inside shower must drain to septic, outside shower can drain to ground.

 

[Kevkx125]

My township requires it to be pumped every three years.

 

[jinman]

I was also told that a properly functioning septic tank never needs pumped. There are natural enzymes and bacteria that break down the solids into liquids and flow out the leach, it doesn't stay poo forever. The problem now a days is that it is hard for a septic tank to stay properly functioning. All the dishwashing and clothes washing chemicals and grease go down the drain and kill off those natural enzymes and bacteria, thats when the solids start to accumulate. Continually adding RID X helps replace those killed off enzymes with new ones but how often do we forget to add that regularly? That's why it is a good idea to pump, more than likely people haven't been good about adding new enzymes and bacteria to keep their septic functioning properly. That said, family of 5 going on 11 years without pumping. I will soon, but its only because I know that i haven't been good about adding new bacteria on a regular basis.

 

[G-Ram]

Get mine pumped every fall


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