Paying even the smallest amount of attention to your septic tank will help you avoid unpleasant plumbing disruptions and costly repairs. When to schedule your septic pumping is one of the biggest items on any maintenance checklist. Here’s a guide to how you can know when your next appointment should be.

Why Is It Important to Be Timely About Pumping?

Conducting a septic pumping according to the recommended schedule has implications for both your plumbing, quality of life, and septic system as a whole. Over time, the level of solid waste in your tank, or sludge layer, will continue to rise. The idea of the pumping is to remove that waste before it fills the tank.

When pumping is neglected, and the tank gets full, you’ll likely start noticing that your drains become slower to work and your toilets clog more frequently. In severe cases, raw sewage may even return to your house since it has nowhere to go. Furthermore, the sludge will start spilling over into the drain field, wrecking its chemical composition and necessitating repairs. From a quality of life standpoint, the stench of the waste can permeate all the way to your home.

When Should You Schedule Your Next Septic Pumping?

The two most important factors that determine when you should have technicians pump your tank are the size — in gallons — of your unit and the number of people living in your home — and thus using the bathroom. One other variable to consider is that it can be difficult to perform septic work in the winter since the ground is tougher to dislodge. So, if your date occurs during the cold season, it’s smart to get the pumping done before.

It can be helpful to look at some real numbers as a reference. For a house with a 1250-gallon tank and four residents, the recommendation is every 3.4 years. With just three residents, the time increases to 4.8 years. In a home with a 1500-gallon tank and five family members, the guideline is every 3.3 years. With an extra resident, the duration drops to 2.6 years. It’s important to note that these are just guidelines. The best practice is to have a septic expert inspect your tank and help you formulate a timeline.

If you think your tank is due for a septic pumping soon, get in touch with a respected specialist like A A Septic Tank & Drain Service in Westmoreland, PA. In business for over 35 years, the locally owned and operated company will become a leader of your septic maintenance plan and help you determine the ideal time to pump your tank clean. You can get in touch with the septic tank cleaning crew by calling (724) 593-7457. Learn more about the company by visiting their website.