Pump Every 3 Years. It’s the rule we plaster on our trucks and scribble on each service reminder magnet here at Pump That Septic. But some households need septic tank cleaning more often, and some less.
While 'Pump Every 3 Years' is a great general rule, the exact answer depends on 3 factors unique to your home:
- Tank size
- Daily flow (how many people use it)
- High-strength waste (grease, meds, cleaners)
Here’s how a septic tank works: The tank acts as a trap for solids. It takes all the crap from your home—human waste, gray water, food scraps—retains the solids and sends off the excess water to the drain field. It’s not like a gas tank that is either full or empty. It operates at a ‘full’ level. It’s a giant filter or settling area for solids (Watch the video below to see How a Septic Tank Works).
When the tank size is large, there’s more space for solids to digest and break down, so it doesn’t need to be cleaned as often. The bigger the tank, the longer the interval between pumpings.
Daily flow is based on the number of household occupants. Take Steve. He’s got a 2,000-gallon tank at a weekend home he only uses occasionally. Because the system is large and used lightly, Steve could wait 10 years before cleaning out the tank. There’s simply not a lot of solids building up, so the interval can be longer than the 3 year rule.
The third factor is high-strength waste. High strength waste is grease, food scraps, medicine and cleaning products. These unprocessed solids and chemicals take much longer to break down, or they never do. For households using a garbage disposal or strong medications like chemo, plan on cleaning the tank earlier than the recommended time!
The EPA recommends pumping your septic tank every 3–5 years. Michigan State goes one step further with a chart that breaks down recommended cleaning intervals by tank and household size:
So, ask yourself “Self, has it been over three years since we pumped the tank?” If yes, then it’s probably time! We’ve found every 3 years fits for the vast majority of homeowners. But for a more nuanced answer: check out the chart, factor in your high strength waste habits, and see where your home lands!
If it’s been more than 3 years — don’t wait. Pump it before problems pop up.
If you're looking for premier septic service in Southwest Michigan, from maintenance to repairs and replacements, we are here with reliable and friendly septic service!
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