If you’ve just purchased a home with a septic tank or have never had your tank serviced, you may be wondering how to maintain and care for your system. Though tanks are durable and designed to last with minimal care, they do need attention every once in a while. At Apollo Portable Toilets & Pumping Service LLC in Mexico, MO, their septic technicians believe every homeowner should be familiar with the basics of their home’s system.

The expert team shares three questions that every homeowner should ask about their septic tank when considering scheduling a pumping service.

What Happens If I Don’t Have the Tank Cleaned?

Septic tanks house both solid waste and waste water. The water slowly drains out into the leach field where it’s filtered and cleaned before being absorbed back into the water table. All the solids stay in the tank, collecting until the tank is full. When you have the tank pumped, the solid waste is removed from the tank. If you don’t have the tank cleaned, the buildup can clog your system, resulting in costly repairs.

How Can I Tell If the Tank Is Full?

Unfortunately, homeowners won’t be able to tell if the tank is full simply by looking at a gauge, as the tank is always full of liquid. The only way to truly know how much sludge is in the tank is to call a septic pumping team to assess the levels. However, with regular pumping, you won’t have to worry about how full your tanks are.

How Often Does the System Need to Be Pumped?

The necessary frequency of maintenance on your system will depend on how many people use the system, the size of your tank, and your water consumption habits. Homeowners with large families or those who use a lot of water every day may need to schedule a pumping service more frequently. However, under normal conditions, most tanks only need to be pumped every three to five years.

Let the experts at Apollo Portable Toilets & Pumping Service LLC keep your septic tank in good shape. Visit them online for more information on their septic tank maintenance services and call (573) 581-6306 to schedule an estimate today.