Proven Ways to Reduce Septic Tank Pumping Frequency
Regularly pumping your septic tank is important because of the buildup of solids in the tank over time.. These solids cannot be processed through your septic system’s drain field that filters and processes waste naturally through the ground soil in your yard. This can include waste that is not effectively processed due to ineffective bacterial biology in your anaerobic or aerobic septic system, as well as inorganic material that has built up in your septic tank over time. You want to find ways to reduce septic tank pumping frequency if your septic tank is becoming full too often.Â
The frequency of maintenance is determined by various factors that include tank size, household size, water usage, effectiveness of biological processing of solid waste, system age, and drain field efficiency. Several potential problems can also impact your pumping frequency including bacteria reduction, tree root intrusion, ground movement, faulty design or installation, non-biodegradable waste, and hydraulic overloading. Hydraulic overloading occurs when too much water enters the septic system at one time, resulting in wastewater backing up into drains or surfacing in your yard.
Understanding these factors helps you identify when your septic tank needs pumping, though you should also have a professional’s opinion as well. Implementing good septic care practices keeps the need for pumping manageable, but if you neglect proper septic system maintenance, you’ll run into problems more often and consequently, you’ll have to pump your tank more frequently.
Incorporating septic system treatments into regular maintenance can enhance septic system efficiency and longevity because quality septic system treatment solutions help your system break down large solids efficiently, diminishing the chances of blockages and clogs that lead to bigger problems.
Septic Tank Pumping Key Factors and Potential Issues
Understanding your septic system is crucial for homeowners, especially if you, like millions of Americans, live in an area where municipal sewage systems are not accessible. The heart of your home’s waste management system is the septic tank, where waste undergoes natural decomposition by bacteria. But over time, a buildup of solids occurs, calling for regular pumping to maintain a functional system. The frequency of this maintenance is influenced by various factors that we dive into in more detail below.
How Often Should You Pump Your Septic Tank?
A typical residential septic system that is working as designed will need to have its tank pumped once every 3-5 years. Your septic tank’s size plays a pivotal role in how often it needs to be pumped. Larger tanks will naturally accommodate more waste thus extending the amount of time you can go between pumpings. The number of people living in your home also impacts how often you need to pump. Obviously, a larger household will generate more wastewater, so the septic tank will need to be pumped more regularly than a home of two or three people would.
Water usage habits also affect the septic tank. Homes that use more water, from things like frequent laundry or long showers, will notice their septic tanks filling up with greywater quicker. In our experience, households that frequently use their garbage disposal see the volume of solid waste in the septic tank increase, leading to a longer waste decomposition process.
Additionally, the system’s age plays a role in how often it needs to be pumped. As septic systems age, their components lose efficiency – especially without proper maintenance or treatments. That means that older systems often need more regular maintenance simply because they don’t perform their functions as well as they used to. This is generally due to the narrowing of pipes through waste build-up and less effective drain field percolation due to biomat buildup and clogs in the drain pipes.
Regular use is not the only cause of increased pumping frequency; if problems arise with your system, it can necessitate more frequent pumping. Here are six septic system problems to keep an eye out for, based on our experience:
Reduced Bacterial Action
Some cleaners and other household chemicals, or even medicines, hamper the bacterial action in the tank, leading to slower decomposition. Some medicines, like antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs, are more likely to impact the bacterial balance of a septic system. There are septic solution additives that reintroduce bacteria to your systems, but sometimes these don’t really work, or don’t work very long. It’s important to do your research before adding anything into your system, or turn to a trusted treatment septic treatment solution, like HOTROD Septic.
Tree Root Intrusion
Seeking moisture and nutrients, tree roots planted too close to your septic system, tank, or mound can find their way in, creating blockages and operational inefficiencies, which may lead to increased pumping frequency.
Ground Movement
Changes in the ground, like seasonal variations or construction activities, result in excess water, or shaking, which can affect your septic tank and its pipes, leading to leaks or reduced efficiency.
Faulty Design or Installation
A septic system that’s not well-designed or properly installed is more prone to rapid solid buildup, leading to blockages, clogs, and overfilled tanks, which will certainly require pumpers to visit more often.
Non-biodegradable Waste
Items that don’t degrade, such as plastic, feminine products, wipes, hair, cotton balls, or even certain toilet papers can clog the system, impacting its efficiency and sometimes leading to septic backups. Backups equal pumping.
Hydraulic Overloading
Excessive water entering the system, whether due to household use, heavy rainfall, or rapidly melting snow can push solids into the drain field, causing blockages or even leading to groundwater contamination.
Once you’ve identified a problem with your septic system, there are steps you can take to fix the issue. Including pumping or professional assistance. If it’s a clog or backup, often due to reduced bacterial action, then pumping may not be required and the use of a septic solution like HOTROD septic treatment to break down solids may solve the problem.
Septic system treatment products that are advertised to help often contain certain additives that can actually disrupt the natural bacterial balance of the septic tank instead, necessitating more frequent pumping. That is one of the main reasons we created our own septic system treatment product that actually uses 26 biological strains and enzymes to break down solid waste in your tank, system pipes, and drain field. HOTROD Septic system treatment is an effective septic treatment solution created by septic professionals for septic professionals that actually works, and works well. With our proprietary technology, your septic system breaks down waste and solids at an incredible level, allowing you to extend the time between each septic tank pumping.
If the system is full, get it pumped. For more serious issues, like faulty design, faulty installation, or tree root intrusion, consulting with a septic professional in your local area is your best bet. For regular upkeep and efficient operation, consider our treatments.
