3 Important Factors That Determine How Often Septic Tank Pumping Services Are Needed

Homeowners who rely on septic systems for their wastewater needs must get routine septic tank pumping services to avoid disasters such as sewage backups. It can be confusing for some individuals to know when it is time to have the service completed. The intervals can be estimated, but there are several variables that can cause a tank to get full sooner than the homeowner expects. There are individuals who purchase homes that were previously occupied by others. New property owners may not have any idea of when the pumping service was last completed. The following points identify three things that influence how often septic pumping needs to be done. 

Garbage Disposal Usage

Many modern homes have garbage disposals installed. They are beneficial because they grind food scraps. The process of grinding the scraps helps to reduce the chances of food scraps clogging drain lines. However, the sludgy mixture of waste ends up in septic tanks. This is where they can cause issues.

Individuals who use their garbage disposals are likely to have their tanks get full sooner. Even though the food scraps are ground down in a garbage disposal, they are still solid waste. A septic tank will get full sooner when there is excess solid waste. It is a good idea to consider scraping plates into a trash can to remove scraps. This measure can help save money on septic services. 

Tank Size 

The size of a septic tank refers to how much waste it can contain. Small tanks will get full sooner than larger tanks. It is possible for the previous owners of a property to have been able to go an extended amount of time between septic tank pumping services. Their needs may have been different than the new owners of a property. If a homeowner does not know the size of their tanks, a plumber can assist with making the determination.

Household Size

The more occupants a residence has, the more water and waste will be accumulated. This usually means that septic pumping services are likely to be more frequent. If someone moves in or out of the home, it will likely affect the pumping schedule because either more or less waste will be entering the tank.

A plumber is a good resource to use to understand more about the importance of timely septic tank pumping. They can offer input regarding the signs a homeowner might notice if their tanks have reached capacity. Plumbers can also help homeowners understand the potential risks of not getting the services. They can use the size of the tank and the number of occupants in a home to estimate how often septic pumping should be performed. If a tank is deemed to be too small, a plumber can replace the tank with a larger one.

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