Your septic tank slowly fills up with sludge over the years, so it can be easy to forget all about it. However, sooner or later, your tank needs to be pumped out to get rid of the fat layer, sludge, and water. It's better to have your tank pumped on a routine schedule so it doesn't get too full. Here are some things to know about how fast a tank fills and how it's pumped out.

How Often To Pump Your Septic Tank

The frequency of septic tank pumping depends a lot on the size of the tank. The size is chosen when a house is built, based on the number of bedrooms. Plus, your local codes may have a minimum size that's required. Based on that, your tank could need to be pumped out every few years, but if you live alone, the tank may not fill up as fast.

You don't want to go too long between service calls. Your tank needs to be checked regularly for leaks, in addition to being cleaned out. If your tank doesn't fill up as fast as you expect, there might already be a leak that needs to be repaired.

Your septic tank contractor can advise you on a good schedule based on tank size and the number of people who live in your home. Your tank could need pumping every year, or you might go three or more years between service calls.

What Happens If You Wait Too Long

When a septic tank gets too full, the sewage has to go somewhere, and that could be inside your house. Sewage might back up in a bathtub or overflow from your toilet. Even worse, the sewage may clog up the tank and drain field and lead to expensive repairs. That's why pumping on a set schedule is better than waiting until you see signs of a full tank.

How Septic Tank Pumping Is Done

The contractor does all of the work, so you don't even have to be home. They connect a big vacuum hose to a pumper truck and then place the other end of the hose in the septic tank so it can pull out the contents. A tank can be pumped out in several minutes, and once it's clear, the contractor can check the tank for signs of damage.

They usually check both baffles and clean the screen. If cracks or problems such as backflow from the drain field are noticed, the contractor lets you know so you can set an appointment to have repair work done later.

How To Keep The Tank From Filling So Fast

You might be able to control how quickly the tank fills so you don't need to have the tank pumped so often. The cost of maintaining a septic tank could be less than what you would pay for using a city's sewer services, but you may want to save as much money as you can.

You might stretch out service calls by not using your garbage disposal and controlling what you put down the drains. Things that don't decompose very fast, such as baby wipes, will build up, take up space in the tank, and cause the tank to fill up faster.

For more information about septic tank pumping, contact a local service.