Pumping the tank is the cheapest thing you can do for a septic system, and skipping it is the most common reason leaching beds fail.
The short answer
Every three to five years for most households. Some need it more often, some less.
What changes it
- Tank size. Smaller tanks fill faster.
- Household size. More people, more waste.
- Water use. Lots of laundry and long showers push solids through faster.
- Garbage disposals. They add a lot of solids. Pump more often if you have one.
- Water softeners that backwash into the tank add water and salt.
Signs the tank is full
- Slow drains or gurgling all through the house
- Sewage smells near the tank or bed
- Soggy ground or very green grass over the bed
- Backups in the lowest drains, often a basement floor drain
By the time you see these, solids may already be reaching the bed. That's why pumping on a schedule is better than waiting.
Habits that help
- Spread laundry through the week instead of doing it all on one day.
- Fix leaky toilets and taps. A running toilet can add a lot of water a day.
- Keep grease, wipes, paper towels, medicines and chemicals out of the drains.
- Keep cars, sheds and pools off the bed, and trees well back from it.
- Send roof and sump water away from the bed.
Not sure when yours was last done? Send the form at the top of this page and we'll pass your request to a local company for septic pumping.