Septic Tank Pumping

Why Does a Septic Tank Need to be Pumped?

What does pumping really do? The short story is: it extends the life of your drainfield.

Your septic system is a sizable financial investment in your home. But you probably don’t give it much thought. On a day-to-day basis, you shouldn’t need to! A working septic system sits below your yard, quietly processing every drop of water and piece of waste that goes down every drain in your home. It’s really only noticeable when it can’t hold anymore. At that point, you’ve got a problem. When your septic system can’t hold any more wastewater, waste ends up on top of your lawn or – worse yet – all over your floors.

Pumping a septic tank removes the solids that build up in your tank over time. It reduces the amount of solids that get carried along with the water into your drainfield. It’s those solids that plug a drainfield up and cause problems, in time. Less solids in the drainfield equates to a longer life for the drainfield.

How Often Should a Septic Tank be Pumped?

Pumping your septic tank on a regular basis will extend the life of your drainfield, saving you from expensive repairs later. Pumping the tank every two or three years ensures that your septic system can disperse wastewater into your soil the way it’s meant to.

Pumping vs Repairing

Repairing a septic system represents a substantial financial investment. Repairs can run from $5,000 to over $60,000. In addition to the actual cost of the system, you will also have your yard and access to the site disturbed, requiring new lawn and landscaping after the work is complete. It’s messy, inconvenient, and expensive to have your yard torn up for a week or two. It’s worth it to keep the septic system running smoothly to avoid a need for repair.