How Often Should You Have Your Septic Tank Inspected And Pumped?

Septic tanks play a crucial role in keeping homes safe and free from contaminants. These tanks are tasked to safely and effectively remove wastewater from your household. As they are often overlooked, many homeowners don’t prioritize having their tank inspected and pumped out. This leads to pollution and the creation of health hazards for you, your loved ones, and even your neighbors.

Many experts and companies that do septic pumping in York PA agree that tanks should be pumped at least once every three to five years on the average. However, the frequency and urgency of this rather important responsibility can still vary on a case-to-case basis. If you’re not quite sure if yours needs to be attended the soonest time possible, then this read is for you.

Factors That Affect Septic Tank Pumping

There are different determinants of septic tank pumping frequency. These include your house’s septic tank size and the number of persons in the household.

If you have a lower tank size (say, 1000 gallons) and only one or two persons are residing in the house, you don’t need to do pumping that frequently — even doing it every six to 10 years will do! As the tank size increases, given that there are only a few members of the household, there will be a lesser need to pump your tank.

This becomes a different story when your household has a relatively larger population (like 8-10). In this case, you’re obliged to hire a company that offers septic pumping in York PA more frequently — you might even need to do this one on a yearly basis.

You also have to consider the lifestyle of your household. If you take more showers, cook more meals, or do more laundry than the average, you’d have to pump your septic tank more often as well. Experts recommend that before throwing a huge party in your place, you need to have your tank pumped out to prevent damage due to overloading.

Tell-Tale Signs To Watch Out For

While there are recommended frequencies when it comes to septic pumping in York PA, you shouldn’t be too complacent about the performance of your septic system. If you notice any of the following signs, you need to inspect your pump and have it handled by an expert in the field.

Waters drain slower than the usual. This is one of the most common symptoms that indicate that your tank already needs some pumping. An overloaded tank won’t be able to take in more wastewater, hence the slower draining. This will also show in the more frequent clogging of your toilets.

You smell foul odors. When your septic tank holds too much wastewater, it will create pungent odors that can be smelled near the tank or near drainages and toilets.

The grasses near your tank are greener. The basic rule you need to know is that grass becomes greener when it’s being watered. If you notice this in your lawn near your tank, you have to be alarmed — it is largely possible that your septic tank has gone beyond its capacity and is now leaking.

If you need septic pumping in York PA, our team of experts at Smith’s Sanitary Septic Service is ready to help. Don’t wait for your septic tank to get more problematic, call us today!