A Septic System Must Be Pumped Out
If the sludge in your system is not removed, it will eventually overflow into the second compartment. This will clog the system and it will need to be replaced, at enormous expense and inconvenience. The second part of septic system maintenance involves the bacteria necessary for solids digestion. If bacteria-killing products - such as bleach, disinfectants, drain openers, detergents, etc. - are used in the home, the bacteria must be replenished, in order to avoid the disastrous build-up and overflow of solids. Your septic tank could be overflowing solid material into the soil right now, and you won't know until it blocks the soil so badly that no more drainage is possible. This blockage takes varying periods of time depending on soil structure. But these are the facts: a neglected system will get blocked; it will overflow; it will have an obnoxious odour; it will contaminate and pollute the surrounding area. It will probably have to be replaced. The first septic system emergency usually marks the beginning of the end.
The building code requires septic tanks to be pumped out when sludge and scum occupy one third of the working capacity of the tank. How long it takes to reach these levels will depend on how the system is used. Discuss this with your pumping contractor at the first inspection. On average, you can expect to have to pump out the tank every two to four years. To Find a Septic Pumper in your area, click here |