Maintaining a septic tank is a crucial part of keeping your system in working order and ensuring its longevity. Routine maintenance involves pumping out the tank, but you may be curious as to how often this needs to be done to guarantee optimal functioning. Below are a few important things that septic tank installation professionals want you to know about how frequently a system should be emptied.

Your Guide to Septic Tank Maintenance

An Average Household Septic System

The typical home septic tank should be flushed out every three to five years. A septic tank installation provider will not only empty out the system, but they will also check for leaks and make certain the unit is working its best. Keep all prior and current service records, and enter future service dates on your calendar — smartphones are ideal for setting dates years down the road.

Larger Households

Bear in mind that larger households tend to place greater demand on the septic tank, so routine emptying every year or two may be necessary. If you're uncertain about how often the tank needs servicing for a larger household, consult the paperwork that came with the septic tank installation. Also, talk to friends, family, and neighbors who have similar household sizes and see how often they have their tanks emptied. This is an issue you want to stay on top of so the system remains reliable.

What Can You Do? 

There are some things any homeowner can do to get the most life out of a septic tank. Only use the toilet for human waste and toilet paper; never flush feminine hygiene products, diapers, wipes, or other debris. Don't put oils, fats, or trash down sink drains. Also, keep an eye on the drain field around the septic tank —  don't park on it, plant trees or gardens on it, or direct drainage systems toward it. These steps will help keep you on a regular septic pumping schedule.

Routine emptying is an essential part of owning a septic system. The professionals at Wilson & Roy Construction have been providing septic tank installation and pumping to residents throughout Pulaski County, KY, for more than 50 years. They also offer earth moving equipment and operators, underground utility installations, and concrete products. To learn more about their services or to schedule septic tank pumping today, call (606) 636-6457 or visit them online.