What are the Factors Affecting Septic Pumping Frequency?

Are you thinking about what factors are affecting your septic pumping frequency but you don't know about it? So don't worry many of us don't know what are the factors that the septic system depends on. Here we will guide you on the factors that the septic system depends on. 

Home septic tank maintenance is very essential for your septic system to run smoothly. However, regular maintenance of your septic tank ensures that it will serve you for many years without any problem. 

Understanding when and how a septic tank needs maintenance is very tricky. Although guidelines recommend that a septic system needs to be maintained every three to five years, the fact is, that the maintenance of the septic system depends on your household consumption and septic needs. 

Here are a few factors that show how often your septic tank needs to be pumped. 

9 Factors that Influence the Septic Tank Frequency

The following are the factors that show when you should clean your septic tank. These include the following. 

Septic Tank Size

The first factor that influences the septic system is the size of the septic tank. The size of the septic tank is very important in determining the pumping frequency. 

The septic tank size depends on many factors like the number of the people or number of bedrooms in your house. So the more people in the house, the more wastewater will be produced and that means your septic tank needs more frequent pumping. 

However, the smaller septic tanks have limited capacity and require less frequent maintenance and pumping than the larger ones.

If you need to know the size of the septic tank you may contact the septic tank services, at which they can examine your septic tank and give you the exact measurements. 

Household Size

The size of the household is another important factor that affects the septic pumping frequency. So the number of people living in your house directly affects the septic tank pumping frequency. 

However the larger your household size, the faster the septic tank to fill it more frequently.

For Example, A 4000 square foot with 6 bedrooms requires a larger septic tank and more pumping than a house, with one bedroom requires a smaller septic tank and doesn't require more frequent pumping. 

Water Usage 

Your usage of water is another important factor that shows your septic tank needs pumping. Excessive usage of water and running multiple loads like laundry, washing, pouring cooking oil, fat, or grease can increase the load on your septic tank. 

This means the more water you use and flush down the drains, the more solid waste it sends to your septic tank. If you use excessive water, it will overload the drains and will impact the septic system.

The Volume Of Solid Waste 

Thus septic tank size, household size, and water usage are not the only things that influence the septic system, it's also the volume of solid waste generated. 

Your septic tank handles the solid and liquid waste differently. The liquid wastewater, when flows out of the septic tank absorbs into the ground. The solid waste when comes into the septic system, stays in the tank, where the solid waste will disintegrate and it will contact the bacteria. 

Then the broken waste settles beneath the tank where it forms a sludge. So the composition of the solid waste water will impact the frequency of the septic tank system. The wastewater will have high solid waste content and increase the rate of sludge accumulation in your septic tank. 

Condition Of Your Septic System

The condition of your septic tank is another essential factor that affects the septic system frequency. The older tank made from concrete requires more often pumping, than the new ones made from plastic or fiberglass. 

However, if your septic tank is properly maintained or inspected regularly, it can function more effectively over a longer period. If your septic tank is in poor condition it may require a more often pumping. 

The Type Of Waste

The type of waste also plays a role in how often your septic tank needs to be pumped. A good rule is that a septic tank needs to be pumped after 1-2 years with a smaller production of waste and after 6 months for heavy production of solid waste. 

There are certain substances such as non-biodegradable and many other chemicals that can accumulate in the drains cause blockage, and require more often pumping. 

Use Of Garbage Disposal 

The way you use the garbage disposal can impact the septic system on how often your septic tank must be pumped. Your garbage disposal works by grinding the food scraps you dump into the kitchen drains. 

The more solid waste you dump into the septic tank the quicker your septic system will fill it up. Your septic tank is made to break down the human waste, not the food waste. Food waste requires a longer time to break down in your septic tank. 

Environmental Factors 

Many environmental factors affect the septic tank system. Heavy rainfall, and snowfall,  can impact the performance of your septic tank. 

These are some of the environmental factors that show your septic tank needs pumping to prevent it from system failure. 

The Products You Use  

The products you use directly affect the health of your septic tank. If you use a lot of harsh chemicals or detergents for washing and laundry purposes, these harsh chemicals can kill the bacteria present in the septic tank. 

So the septic tank inspectors recommended using a natural cleaner for cleaning and laundry purposes so the bacteria present in your septic tank last so long and don't require regular pumping. 

If you still use the harsh chemicals it will affect the septic tank and require more often pumping. 

Tips To Reduce The Frequency Of Your Septic Tank Pumping

These are the things that you follow to minimize the frequency of your septic tank pumping. 

• Use water efficiently. Even don't use abundant water in your homes and other places to reduce the risk of septic tank pumping. 

• Choose cleaning and laundry detergents free of any harsh chemicals. 

• Properly dispose of wastewater for a healthy septic system. 

• Avoid flushing non-biodegradable items as it takes a prolonged time for proper disposal. 

• Regular inspection can also contribute to the proper maintenance of your septic system. 

Conclusion 

Septic systems are essential components of your wastewater disposal. Homeowners should be in the habit of having the septic system pumped on a routine basis to enhance the effectiveness of the septic system and avoid any issues caused by improper disposal.