How Often Should I Pump My Septic Tank?
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- Опубликовано: 2 окт 2024
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I once worked at a place that had septic tanks cleaned every year regardless if the toilets were used or not. It was a small engine machine shop where we mostly only washed our hands, but the owners based our water usage to when to clean the septic. This was generally a bad idea because everytime the septic tank was cleaned there was not enough bacteria left and produced by the daily usage to work in the tank. Which caused our septic inspection to fail each year because they couldn't "smell" the right stuff and thought that everything was flowing out to the drain field. It got to a point that we had a teen temp video tape the whole operation for the inspector each year because no one believed us. Needless to say, once the fastfood places started to pop up around the site, there wasnt a problem with the inspector anymore. LOL
The best solution we've found is simply asking the septic pumping dude.
When we get our septic tank pumped, we ask what they think and they're usually fairly nice and straight forward. Turns out when people work with crap everyday, they're typically not full of it.
Nice turn of phrase 👍👍
I've lived on septic tanks my whole life and my parents are good about frequent pumping. Was told by the septic guy to pump more often if there are a lot of females in the home because of the high Toilet paper use
Yes that's exactly why I got a bidet. Went from 2 rolls a week to 1 a month to just pat dry
The two females (and males) in our household all put TP in the trash.
All tp goes in trash unless it's a guest in my home and I don't ask them to do that.
That would make sense. I've seen the usage when females are involved!!
As usual, I tend to be the exception to things. My toilet paper use is highly conservative. My husband actually uses more than I do. Since I'm the one who buys it and keeps track of it, and I know what I use, it's not much of a mystery.
That's what I tell people who ask as well. Depends on system and usage. Got a family member who now lives alone in a 12,000 sqft house that was built for family of 6 with 2500 gallon tank. 10 years and still not to 33% solids
My parents septic tank has not been pumped since they built the house in 1984. Seven kids.
Wow, had no clue. New to the channel. My house is 30 years old, original system, never cleaned/pumped. We are cautious with what goes down (no extra grease, no taper towels, no feminine products, no wipes). I guess we’ve been very lucky. Can the inspection be done via the 4” pvc check? (I’m in Ga).
You need to dig and open it to even asses levels, as said here really should be every year. Every 2 is probably acceptable once you have been there a few years and have an idea of how your system runs, but many septic companies have a decent price break if you do yearly inspections so it only ends up being an extra ~$30-60 a year for double the peace of mind. After 30 year you NEED to be planning to have that thing pumped and a full inspection done. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but after that long It is almost certain your field is full of solids or your tank is straight up compromised, and you just have good enough drainage and incompetent enough local inspectors that no one has noticed.
This was a great PSA! After spending $30k to replace the septic system when we purchased our home 18 years ago, I pump every year. As you mentioned, that filter needs to be cleaned every year. If I’m going to pop the lids to clean that filter, then the septic guy does it while he’s pumping the tank. 18+ years of service and still working like day 1!
I have seen them last forever and maintaining good levels. Towlet cleaner and some chemical detergents and or roots can definitely effect the life of the septic system in my opinion.
First off, don't even have a septic tank but really enjoy your videos for curiousity as wells as perspective from a fellow business owner. Thank you, I've learned a ton about common sense, kindness and transparency. Ever consider offering tank monitoring? Basically putting sensors and a GSM modem into customer tanks and letting them know they are full proactively? I'd pay for that.
Here for the “septic tanks never need to be pumped” comments
RIGHT!!!!
Does there exist a way for the septic installer to provide a better answer to the specific homeowner?
Maybe a chart where you can look up "size of tank" versus "# of residents" to cross-index to a suggested service interval?
Though, I imagine the age of the leaching field would impact that number up and down.
At minimum they need to put a liquid level controller and the pipe going into the septic tank so if it backs up and conducts electricity, it sends a signal inside the house that the water needs to be turned off that a back up is beginning.
Man I wish yall where closer to my area (Jacksonville nc)
I'd definitely hire yall for my septic needs you seem like you run a tight ship and straight forward
Same I'm in Sampson county
Growing up in my childhood home I had no idea that we where on a septic. Mom never had it pumped. It was probably 40 years since it had been pumped
Holy cow! I'm just a homeowner who's had septic systems. But my thought is, circumstances you've described are like driving a car, but never changing the engine oil. Sooner and or later that system will cease to function. Your screen name indicates you're a plumber? Just curious.
You may need to pump it much, much more frequently depending on the amount of consumed Taco Bell. 🤔🤔🤔🤔
I only eat from Taco Bell once every 3 to 5 years.
Taking a look every year is a great idea, but pumping interval depends highly on usage...i.e. occupancy and habits.
A couple that treats their system right can easily go 10 years before pumping.
I can barely clean my room once a year...
Same for the plumbing at our homes since they're tied to the system. Be careful and thoughtful about what you put into the system. For example, wipe grease from pans, plates and put it in the trash, don't try to wash it down the drain.
25 years ago, before my sister and left the nest, we moved into a new house. The tank was designed for a normal family of 4 to be cleaned every 3-5 years. My dad was a truck driver and only home on the weekends. I was working two jobs, and really only came home to shower and sleep, before I too started driving truck and was gone all week. So it was just my mom and sister at home all the time. Just before my sister and I moved out, I tested the alarm like I did every year, and it wasn't working. It was something minor. The service provider couldn't believe how little solid waste was in the tank after 5 years. My parents lived there another 7 years and never had to have it emptied.
Conversely my retired parents bought a home with a septic tank that owners swore had been pumped for the sale. 2 elderly folks and one year of my youngest sister living there. So year 2 summer, solids back up, oh what a mess. Pump comes out, the tank was full. So it got cleaned and a few other minor things repaired. Dad was sure it was too much poop from 2 old folks and their few guests in 2 years. We tried to tell him, nooo the seller didn't really pump out before selling. Sad.
So what ur saying is. Get that pooh out every 2 years..I mean think bout it. U know how good it feels when u get rid of that pooh. Well the tank wants the same thing. It gets a tummy ache too. So..people..get rid of that pooh. Or ull be stanking.
With my company our Rule of thumbs is the average family of four and last about 4 to 5 years between pump outs but there are also extenuating circumstances in a lot of cases
never if its working properly. I had mine checked after 25 years and the Septic guy said it was fine. Just don't put anything down into the tank witch didn't go through you first, other than dish water.
It should be a self sustaining system. It’s not supposed to just be a repository that needs to be evacuated frequently.
@@psyience3213 thanks for your reply. I totally agree with you. But it is a scary image.
Yeah no James has explained this multiple times on here. Grease is your mortal enemy in a septic tank. Not just poured down the drain but what your body can't process and ends up in the tank. The bacteria in a tank that breaks down solid matter isn't able to break down grease and oils. This then causes it to build up at the top of the water and can end up in the drain field where you never want it to be.
Plus we the amount of body wash, hair shampoo, dish detergent, laundry detergent, and cleaning products that make their way down a drain though the course of daily life your system is going to struggle at maintaining a proper bacterial balance to keep the system self sufficient.
And even if your system is self sufficient some how. You still want to be able to drain the tank and inspect the tank walls for as James just said, cracks, leaks, roots penetrating. And so on. Thing's that not only could result in your tank suddenly collapsing but could also lead to ground water contamination meaning you now have nothing to drink and no where to shit.
I don’t have a septic system but I find this window you provide into your profession fascinating and wish more people would/could have channels like this. Like the TV show Dirty Jobs, most of us are blissfully ignorant of the work it takes to enjoy the level of civilization we take for granted and the people who maintain it.
$30K? Either you are making it up or got royaly ripped off. I replaced the septic system in a cottage we bought a couple of years ago and it cost $4K.
Moved to PA in 2016 and got a contract with the septic company bc I thought it was a good idea. Turns out it’s required and the township actually calls you every 2 years to remind you it’s time to pump your septic. Having had sewage backing up into my house once in my life, I’m happy to do anything to prevent it from happening again.
Yep, one of life's hard lessons haha.
So do you recommend Plastic Tanks, or Concrete? What are your "personal" 9 septic tanks made of?
My mother pumps hers every 2 years... and now she feeds it some special enzymes the last company sold her.... she has at least one failed leaching field, and would have fluids draining back into the tank from her field when she would pump it. Like 1400 gallons would get pumped out of her 1200 gallon tank.
We need to build a MASSIVE addition, and I'm trying (failing) to prep her for the fact she is going to need an entirely new system. The old one is more then 40 years old.
Have you EVER known a system to come back from almost failure? Or of an old one that could be added on to instead of 100% removed and re-installed?
Thank you in advance if you answer
Often times the cinder blocks/concrete break down after such a long time and cause It to leak it almost definitely needs to be dug out and totally replaced
I’ve saw people who just replaced the drain lines and they got off pretty cheap.
If it’s backfilling from the drain field, the porous pipes could be clogged or can’t drain properly anymore, depending how they were installed.
40 years for a septic is old. When you get the backhoe out to rip out the old tank, get a couple more hours rental and go dig up the field and replace the pipes. It’s not going to be cheap, but don’t half ass it.
I had lived in a home outside city in Ukraine for some time, we had our septic tank "cap" or "cover" on the ground level. In your videos you have to dig them up, do all americans bury the septic tanks like that?
I'm literally getting ready to build with septic. Now I know to pump it off every year. Thank you. I love your channel, you don't fuck around, you just tell the truth.
yeah except definitely don’t pump a one year old system
I think the takeaway is "check any any filters and the depth of the layers once a year, but you probably won't have to pump more often than 3 to 5 years depending on size of tank and number of occupants." Pumping every year would be a waste on a modern system that is easy to access and has baffles/filters. There are multiple videos from experts on RUclips showing how to measure the layers.
Hi I no longer live in a home with a septic tank...however if I was to ever BUY a home with a septic tank. The very first things I would do is 1 dug up tank and have Risers installed IF it wasn't already done or at serface. 2 Buy sludge Judge and test the tank myself and determin the depth of sludge levels tgen have it pumped if NEEDED. I see ZERO reason why a home owner with a tank on site shoukd NOT DO THESE EXACT THINGS if they care at all about there system and saving $$$$
In Canada we got ours pumped every year or two. Our septic access wasn't buried so it could be monitored easily. we also didn't have a drain field, our water pumped out on the surface. Now we are in missouri and have no idea what we have since everything is underground. really stupid system.
My grandfather built his own septic tank and may have over engineered it. After 40 years he checked it, and it was at 2' out of 12.
Can you do a video on septic safe toilet cleaners/cleaners in general?
Answer a question with a question. How many women do you have in the house???
First I see one of your clips in an attorney Tom video and then you use his catchphrase it depends… I feel a collab coming on…
My inlaws had a small 1950s house. It would get a pump every 10 years or so and was still functioning when they sold the place in 2018. But like most things in the 50s nobody makes them like that anymore.
My old neighbors had to replace their ancient septic system bc they were having problems with it. When they pumped it they saw it was starting to collapse bc it was made of blocks and it also didn’t have a bottom in it.
@@rickershomesteadahobbyfarm3291 what you don't know can't hurt you (but it may cause harm downstream) lol
I'm guessing it was just the two of them living there which means the amount of solids going into the septic was fairly low along with a slower water flow. That means solids had more time to settle before they got to the far side of the tank and into the leach field plumbing. A larger house with kids is going to see a lot more water usage and less time for solids to settle thus they need the bigger 1250 or 1500 gallon tanks. Personally, I think 5 years is a better timeframe for pumping myself having dealt with family on septics over the years.
So, if I pay you $500 every year to come out and check and pump my septic tank I'll spend $2,500 in 5 years. I usually get my system checked and pumped every 5 years. It's 25 years old and has not failed. If I went by your advice I would have spent $12,500 to prevent a failure that would cost me only about $4000 to fix, which has not yet happened. Instead I've spent $2,500. I can understand your wanting to create a new reality whereby you own a private jet and an island or two in the Caribbean, but ..
I was actually told by the person who pumped ours that we should have it pumped every 3 year. He said not to wait any longer then 5. I moved into a new place in 2019. We had the new septic system installed at that time. Me and my wife were actually just talking about getting our tank pumped. Funny how this video popped up a couple days later.
Funny... more like Google collected "environmental data" (eaves dropping) and the algorithms put this into your "feed" 🐑🐄🐐
It pooped up.
@@Firedog-ny3cq lol 😂 well that to I guess
@Monkey JumpStarr And still some people think it's a sign from a god or the universe or some other entity
I probably need to get my septic tank pumped because I've been living here 10 years and it's never been pumped
Yeah you should do that
Our county requires us to pump every 3 years. Sometimes I forget for a year or two. But I also had the installers put in a 4 bathroom gallon tank size for a conventional system. We only had 1 bathroom the first decade and now at 3. And I rinse the filter twice a year.
You raised some very good points, gave a well-considered suggestion, and explained why it should be done. You did this from your perspective not only as a septic business owner, but as a home owner who needs to understand why it'll save money in the long run to do an inspection & possible pump-job every year. Because it will save money in the long run. (I am so glad I stumbled across your TikToks a couple years ago, & it's great to see you on RUclips, too!)
Yep, a valid question and you hope for an honest answer is, "How do you do it at your home?"
We live in Catawba NC. I have a 1000 gal tank with two 100ft lines that was installed in 1984 (40 years ago). I witnessed this install. It's just my wife and I we have no children. This tank has never been pumped and has worked flawlessly. The system has no risers and is probably 5 feet deep. Should I just have it pumped now or is it time to replace the entire system?
We pump our tank every 40 years whether it needs it or not.
My tank got full, no money. I shoveled all the solids out in a field and pumped the liquid into another area. It was winter and no fire hazard, so I burned the solids. Burned for couple days.
Was glad when I got the money to have it pumped.
Ewwwwww . Sodium Hydroxide. Buy 10 bottles pour them all in and take a weeks vacation.
@@joeyl.rowland4153 😂 No money, I hocked stuff to feed us and put gas in the car so I could make it to work.
In Wisconsin you have to have your septic tank inspected at least every 3 years you are not able to inspect it
Bucketing out the grease trap by hand, and dumping it on the lawn. What childhoods are made of
I'm slightly terrified of this deck job I'm doing. She hasn't ever pumped it...ever.
Great info. Don't have a septic system anymore since I moved. Also I found out you shouldn't have a garbage disposal if you have a septic system. Who knew?
My septic tank guy told us when we got our tank, if you take care if it, then it will tank care of you. Don't put grease in it, don't use flushable wipes and Scott 1000 is the best TP for the tank and we have never had a problem. I have the upmost respect for what you do.
Just off the top probably once every 3 to 5 years.
If you've a big family or 5 people probably once every year.
Lesson learned. Everything in the home requires basic maintenance. At least once a year.
It's no fun. But having to replace something completely, instead of catching and patching a small something sucks even more.
He forgot >
If you eat at McDonald's and Burger King you better get it pumped out every 6 months,
WE KNOW WHY 😀😀😀😀
I read the title and thought "Whenever it's horny". I'm sorry, I'll pay attention now.
You need a tripod James. Getting a little motion sickness here. 😅
I'll pump out our tank before the holidays. That way it's ready for the guests.
So glad I subscribed to your channel and watch your videos. Your saving me money that I can't afford on big projects. Thanks again and as always great job
So I don’t even live where I have a septic tank I live in an apartment building. And I still watched your video because they’re so damn informative. And now I’ll know if someone has a septic question I’ll be able to answer it. Thanks for the info
You would be surprised depending on where you live your apartment complex may be on a septic system
@@jimmysmith6430 well if so the sewer bill I get is fraudulent. Lol I m sure some apartments do have septics. Thanks 😊
@@Diana-ng2xv sewer bill is based off of water usage, they cannot put a meter on the sewage to tell exactly amount, so they just base it off water usage.
@@Diana-ng2xv but not yours¹, right 😏
¹ edit for grammer (your~yours)
@@user-rn3rn6nl3h “but not your right” doesn’t make sense. About what? I’m so confused
My tank is buried. I know "generally where"... but not exactly. Already sounds expensive!!
I want 21 years without cleaning it and my septic tank cleaning guy said that there was barely anything in it that I could go longer. I’m on 10 years now since the last time I’m going to have it cleaned this spring just to see if he was right, before you freak out, I have a single person household just me and I’m usually gone between 3 to 6 months a year since I bought the house. I don’t use fabric softeners, and I barely use bleach I probably only purchased five jugs of bleach in the last 33 years or so.
The length of time in between clings all depends on how much you’re using it. how many people are in the household? How much laundry do you do?
I have a septic with a 2 lid tank with risers, and 1 effluent tank. Its a 3 bedroom house built in 2010, but im the only one that occassionally poops at my house. Should i pump every 4 years? Its been 6 years because like i said im the only one pooping solids in the system.
Secondly the drain field is up hill from the tanks and sometimes the septic system gets overwhelmed (as i think water seeps into the solids tank). The high water alarm going off every 2 to 3 weeks and i "hand pump" until the light goes off (30 mins) os my system shot?
I just pumped my septic into a pit using the harbor freight transfer pump and a pressure washer. Covered it back over with soil and plan to plant potatoes on top in a few years. Easy Peasy afternoon worth of work and no one driving heavy truck s and rutting up my Kentucky bluegrass
I live in the Mohave desert in California. Put in risers and an outlet filter to my vintage septic system. The solids tend to very low. The problem is the roots from the desert plants.
That is one hell of a haircut man!
I rent in a relatively low income community and my LL only pumps when a problem happens…
How long would a drainfield last if you are driving over it with 80000lb trucks and have a weeping willow tree planted next to it? (not me, stupid neighbor)
Ut oh. Its been about 25 years since i put in my septic system. My brother dug the hole for the tank and i built the drainage field. Only one person using it for most of the 25 years so yeah i probably need to check it.
DO NOT pump your septic tank unless needed.!!
keep the tank 'healthy' and no pumping is required.
Do you guys offer services to do that once per year checkup? Idk much about septic systems or what that yearly checkup involves, but it sounds kinda gross and maybe like something some people might not be able to do for whatever reason.
Can I please have a picture of your sludge judge? 👍🏽😊❤️🇺🇸
Yearly if you work in the business! Every 10 years if it’s a residential property!
living at my dads i don't think the septic ever got emptied until he got a house put there in place of the trailer. closest town is a half hour away.
What do you mean how am I supposed to know when it has 33% solids ? I can just check during my weekly swim.
I worked rv parks would have all tanks pumped and filters change in beginning of the season!!
Just the me, and the wife here anymore, 1000 gal tank, pump it every 3 years.
Guessing that my septic system is older because I do not understand how to look inside of my tank? And a filter??
OK now how about the use of toilet paper in septic system. I hear keep a waste can for TP and only flush that. Then I hear if paper says septic go a head and flush it? So what is the correct way so as not to cause issues?
That's funny because I just asked him this question in the comments of another video.
we've had our tank pumped once since 1990 and that was 10 years ago
If your pumping multiple system every year you could take that money put it in the bank and do it every 5 years and be money ahead .
I was going to go an check my solid levels, but it's been a long day, and I'm pooped... But am I 33% or greater pooped? 🤔🤣
Do you recommend the same yearly clean out and inspection for gravity fed systems without an affluent filter at the outlet ?
I saw the tictok is going away but I this one. Is this really your page?
Have a home from 1920. Didn’t have wiring till 1929/1930s.
The septic tank is literally a foot of concrete. 100 ft away from the well.
Yes I am lucky and have well water. Nothing comes close to well water just wash your Filter or keep your water Systems upkeeped.
Is there not a requirement to pump the tanks on a regular interval in SC? I live in WI and the state requires tanks to be pump every 3 years. If you don’t they fine the living daylights out of you.
This is a free country; I have all the licenses, permits, insurances, registrations, tax receipts and fines to prove it!
getting it pumped once a year works out to around $33 a month in costs (assuming it costs around $400 to do).... fuck that.
So since you know all your competitors, is there one that wont rip me off in the swain county area?
Not even responsible for a septic tank, and 'Liked'
Do you have a video showing the filter
My fathers answer was.
Well boy if your on the city sewage.
HOW much are you paying.
Id you can take that and pay 1/4 the price.
Thats a good time.
Which ment every 3-4 years in his case.
Problem comes.
If you were my grandparents.
They got one wayyyyyyyy to big for heir needs.
Becuase they spent a long time with 6-10 people at their house.
But just two of them. Welllll. Thats a lot longer.
None of that made any sense, common or otherwise.
I'm not sure how the hell I wound up here, or why I'm so interested in this topic.
I pump my septic tank, when ever She'll let me!!!
What would you recommend for a septic system on a property with one small summer cottage with only one toilet used, at most, 4 months per year? In terms of both inspection and cleaning?
I dug other 2 lids up all 3 are full of liquid light brown foam in the 1st tank grabbed my spud bar a could not find any thick 5hitit was completely empty little over a year ago... 2½baths 4 teens 2 adults lots of showers... should I get it pumped again called my guy waiting to hear back
What is a drain field? We don't have those here just septic tanks
Can you have a water softener on a septic system
So it seems safe to do it every congressional election - every 2 years?
is there a rule of thumb on how close some old oak tree can be
Ive always been told that if its and old tree. However tall it is. Thats how many feet it needs to be away from the whole septic system. Tank and drain field. I use to install septic systems.
If oak roots tickle your butt every time you poop, the tree is too close to your system.
System in KS was pumped twice in 25 years. Had about 4 to 5 inches of sludge in the bottom, both times.
Moved to FL, had the tank pumped 10 years ago. Still going strong. Two old people, that only use about a thousand gallons of water a month, and don't dump a bunch of stuff in there that doesn't belong, can go a long time.
my home warranty company pays for 1 free pump every year. so I get one yearly
If you dont mind, what warranty company do you use? A couple of national companies have all sorts of fine print and exclusions to the point some local realtors don't advise them due to costs vs. what they actually cover and how long it has taken the warranty company to send payment to professionals when it was covered.
The county I live in, in Texas, requires a contract with a septic company. They come out every month and check your system over. But that's all they do, no preventative maintenance, nothing, anything else cost, even cleaning the air filter ($5.00).
What a great channel. Keep up the good videos.
Once In 24 years here been atleast 15 years since last pump
By pumping the tank every year, what should that cost the homeowner? I live in FL by the way. Reasonable balpark question.
i cant find this guys business page anyone know how to contact