Homeowners should maintain their septic tanks in good condition for efficient drainage. One way of maintaining your septic tank is scheduling timely pumping services. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends septic tank pumping at least every three years to ensure your drainage system functions optimally. Unfortunately, many homeowners exceed the recommended period as a cost-saving strategy. Postponing septic tank pumping predisposes your drainage system to issues such as slow toilet backups, which result in odors, water damage, and health risks.
Whereas the EPA recommends pumping your septic pump every three years, some factors may warrant scheduling the services before the period elapses. This blog discusses three factors influencing how soon a septic tank may fill, necessitating pumping.
The Size of Your Household or Number of Rooms
The higher the number of occupants in a household, the faster its septic tank may fill, necessitating septic tank pumping services. Consider two households having the same septic tank size. However, one house only has three occupants, whereas the other has eight occupants. Also assume that both houses have relatively similar house chores and the occupants undertake similar daily activities such as showering, cooking, and cleaning. The septic tank in the latter house will likely fill faster, prompting the homeowner to schedule more frequent pumping services.
The Volume of Generated Wastewater
The number of activities undertaken in a household influences the volume of the generated wastewater and the frequency of septic tank pumping services. Activities such as laundry using washing machines or washing vehicles at home increase the volume of generated wastewater. Thus, a home with two or more cars that are washed at home may fill its septic tank faster than one without a vehicle or one that outsources car washing services. Homeowners who undertake numerous water-related activities should monitor their septic tanks levels to ensure they schedule timely pumping services. Otherwise, they may wake up to overflowing septic tanks, which often cause water damage.
The Quantity of Objects Allowed into the Septic Tank
Allowing solids into a septic tank gradually reduces its holding capacity, necessitating frequent pumping services. For example, flushing construction debris down the drain allows it to settle at the bottom of the septic tank. Moreover, the debris and any other solids entering the septic tank will likely not be pumped into the drainfield; they will remain in the tank as sludge. Such homes may have to schedule frequent septic pumping services to mitigate issues such as slow drainage. Homeowners may request the technicians to clean the septic tanks to remove the settled solids, restoring the tanks' holding capacity.
To learn more, contact a company that provides septic tank pumping.
Share11 April 2022
When you think about professionals who work on your home, the first ones that come to mind might be HVAC technicians and maybe plumbers. But septic service workers are also essential. Without a working septic tank, you won't be able to flush away your waste, and you may even have smelly water all over your yard. Some plumbers also provide septic care services, but other times, you have to rely on a separate company to do this work. In either case, you can learn a bit more about septic services on this website, and we hope the information helps you take better care of your home.