How Often Should You Pump Out Your Septic Tank?

A very general rule is that you should have your septic tank pumped out every three to five years – but this varies greatly depending on your usage. With the right treatment and maintenance routine for your household you can add many years between pump outs.

Most states require inspections at regular intervals, but these inspections don’t always result in a pump out. While you can’t avoid mandatory inspections, you can reduce how often your septic tank needs to be pumped out by following the best practices in this article.

Why do you have to empty your septic tank?

Septic tanks are designed to hold waste so that beneficial bacteria can break it down and it can be discharged safely. Although the bacteria in your septic tank are very effective at breaking down waste, sometimes they aren’t able to completely digest everything. So the small amounts which remain in your tank build up over time – this is commonly known as sludge.

Eventually, the amount of sludge in your tank will exceed the recommended levels and will prevent your tank from operating at peak performance. This is when you need to have your septic tank pumped out. Failing to pump out your tank when it’s full can be a costly mistake as cleaning and repair bills can add up quickly.

Please keep in mind that sludge is not bad for your septic tank – in fact it won’t work without it. The sludge within your tank contains all the bacteria and enzymes that are essential to the waste breakdown process. Without these bacteria, your septic system won’t be able to break down waste and you will be wasting money on frequent pump outs instead of having your system do its job.

So it’s important, and more cost-effective, to only empty your tank when you need to and to restore and activate your system after you’ve had it pumped out.

What affects your septic tank pump out frequency?

1. Regular septic treatment and maintenance

One of the most important variables that affect how often you have to empty your septic tank is your maintenance or treatment routine. If you follow a regular treatment routine, it can add many years between pump outs. Our customers have extended their pump outs to more than 10 years.

2. Number of people in your household

The number of people in your home that use the septic system directly impacts how much waste enters the system and how quickly your tank fills up. The larger your household, the quicker your tank will fill up and the more you need a septic additive to boost your bacteria and improve the waste breakdown process.

If you have a small household of say just two people, with a treatment routine you may only need to have your septic tank pumped out once every decade. If your household is large, you can adjust your treatment dosage to counter the large amount of waste and reduce your pump out frequency.

3. Size of your septic tank

The smaller your septic tank, the more quickly it will fill up. This doesn’t mean that you should spend thousands on a larger tank if you’re pumping out your tank too frequently. Implementing a treatment routine with a dosage customised to suit your tank is much more cost-effective and far simpler.

4. What goes into your septic tank

The more careful you are with what you’re putting down your drains and into your septic system, the less frequently you’ll need to have it pumped out.

Non-biodegradable items such as wet wipes, sanitary products, condoms, dental floss and diapers should not be flushed down your toilet and can cause blockages that will require repair.

Harsh, chemical-based cleaning products will kill the bacteria within your septic tank, reducing your system’s ability to break down waste and will result in more frequent pump outs.

What can you do to reduce how often you pump out your septic?

1. Follow a septic treatment routine

A simple, inexpensive septic treatment routine will reduce your pump out frequency and add years to your system’s lifespan. To ensure you’re getting the most out of your system, implement a treatment plan that’s customised to your system, household size and your usage.

2. Cut down on harsh chemical cleaners

Eliminating the use of harsh chemical cleaners will have a huge impact on reducing your pump out frequency. Swapping to septic smart cleaning products that support the growth of your septic bacteria instead of killing them will keep your system running smoothly and effectively.

3. Don’t put rubbish into your system

Septic systems are designed to treat wastewater, not waste in general. Any rubbish that goes down your drains to your septic tank has the potential to cause a blockage that will require servicing or repairs.

How to tell if your septic tank needs to be pumped out

There are some early warning signs that your septic tank might need a pump out. While these are indicators that you may need a pump out, they could also be caused by other issues such as blockages or low bacterial populations. Read our article How to tell if your septic tank needs to be pumped out for more detail.

1. Pooling water
2. Slow drainage
3. Smells
4. Extra green grass
5. Toilets or drains backing up

If you’re having any issues with your septic, AWTS or greywater system, get in touch with our wastewater consultants for an expert diagnosis done over the phone in minutes.