If you have a septic tank on your property, getting the tank pumped is an essential part of the maintenance process. Failing to do so can lead to backups or even permanent damage to your drain field. The best course of action for homeowners is to find a trusted septic pumping professional and stay on a schedule of regular service. The question then turns to how often you should schedule a pumping service. To find the answer, here are a few key details to remember.

How Often Your Septic Tank Needs to Be Pumped

Septic tanks are designed to hold and decompose a large amount of solid waste. However, the actual amount of waste depends on the size of the tank. The capacity of septic tanks can range from about 750 gallons for small homes to more than 1,500 gallons for large homes. There are minimum size requirements based on each home’s square footage and a number of bedrooms, so your septic tank size should theoretically match up fairly well to the number of people living in your home. However, if you have a large family squeezed into a house with a smaller tank, you might need to schedule more frequent septic pumping services. On the other end of the spectrum, if you’re empty nesters in a home with a large tank and you travel away from home frequently, you can probably get away with less frequent septic service.

When to Schedule Septic Tank Pumping Service

Normally, septic tanks are designed to have the capacity to store about three to five years’ worth of waste without backing up, based on the size of your home and how that corresponds to the tank’s capacity. This can vary based on factors like extra occupants or extended stays away from home where the tank is not in use. However, it’s a good idea to schedule regular inspections or pumping maintenance before there’s any risk of backups or septic system failures. For this reason, many families choose to schedule septic tank pumping for every two to three years.

If you’re looking for a trusted company to provide septic pumping service or other types of septic tank maintenance in Uncasville, CT, call the experts at P & H Construction and Septic Service. The company serves both residential and commercial customers throughout Connecticut and Rhode Island, providing friendly and knowledgeable service from a team with more than 35 years of experience. You can learn more about the services offered by visiting the company’s website or calling (860) 848-8507.