How Often Should I Have My Septic System Serviced?

We've been in the septic business for over a decade and in that time we've pumped hundreds of septic tanks in the Twin Tiers region, many more than once! One of the most common questions we receive about septic systems is simply, "How often do I need to have my tank pumped out?" For some homeowners, the answer is determined for you - it's however often your township requires it.

If your township doesn't have a mandated pumping ordinance, it can be hard to keep track of how often your tank should be emptied or when you had it cleaned out last. (There's a reason for those septic ordinances after all!) So if you live in a place that does not regulate pumping every so many years, make note: it's important to have your tank pumped out every 2-3 years. 

There are two major factors to consider when determining how often to have your tank cleaned out. 

1. How many gallons your septic tank holds

2. How many people are in your household

Below is a chart, that shows how often you should have your septic tank pumped based on those two factors. It's also important, however, to consider things like:

• Whether or not you have a garbage disposal
• How much water your family uses (showers, laundry, baths, power washing, cleaning, painting etc)
• What kind of things you are flushing on a regular basis - baby wipes, paint or grease, feminine products, paper towels, etc.

If you're not sure of your septic tank size, here's a general rule of thumb - most septic tanks are based on the number of bedrooms in your home. If your home has 3 bedrooms, you most likely have a 1000 gallon tank; 4-5 bedrooms is typically a 1500 gallon tank. Older homes have smaller septic tanks so if your home was built prior to the 1980's you may need to have your tank emptied more often.

Still not sure? Ask one of our technicians to provide you with your tank size and location at your next Chemung County septic service visit. We're happy to mark things for you so you have a septic "blueprint" to add to your home's records. You can use this as a place to record your service dates and keep track of any problems that arise.

The best thing you can do for your septic tank to keep things flushing smoothly, is to stay on top of your septic pumping schedule and have your tank emptied every 2-4 years. Never go longer than 5 years without a septic tank pumping, and your septic system will thank you! If you follow these general guidelines, your septic system will be functioning properly for years to come. Ready to schedule your next septic service? Give us a call today.