How often do you have your septic tank pumped?

citytransplant · Nov 17, 2017

Interesting thread. I'm astounded as to the wide variability in pumping frequency. Generally speaking, it's a "crap shoot." Some pump religiously every 3 or 4 years (election cycles, interesting mnemonic) while others have not pumped for as long as they have owned their homes. The average national cost of septic tank pumping and cleaning is $385. Over a 30-year span, the homeowner pumping every 3 years has invested $3,850 (approximately $10.69 a month). With the cost of some of the more elaborate systems running into the tens of thousands, regularly pumping might be justifiable for some. I'm no expert, but my take-away so far from this thread is that pumping frequency among homeowners is primarily driven by: 1. the wide variability in household composition, 2. system design (including drainfield characteristics and tank size), and 3. local jurisdictional regulations.

citytransplant · Nov 17, 2017

MacLawn said:
One time after 30 years. Man said it didn't need it then.

How many in your household?

Same question for wagne, turby, and others who may not have indicated household size. My wife and I (plus washing machine) live alone. I've gotten away with not pumping for 10+ years. My stepdaughter moved in for a brief "period" during that time. Despite us asking that she only flush TP, I can tell you with complete certainty that did not happen on at least one occasion. Point being, if she lived with us permanently there's a good chance my drainfield would've failed by now.

John Fitzgerald · Nov 17, 2017

I lived at one place with a 750 gallon septic for 17 years. Three people in household. Never needed pumping. No garbage disposal.

s219 · Nov 17, 2017

I tell you what, I sure wish we could have a separate gray water system and I am almost tempted to do something after the fact if I could easily separate out some of the drain lines down in my crawl space. The amount of times my wife runs the washing machine and dishwasher in our household is insane. No reason all that discharge needs to run through the septic tank and drain field.

citytransplant · Nov 17, 2017

s219 said:
I sure wish we could have a separate gray water system and I am almost tempted to do something after the fact if I could easily separate out some of the drain lines

Ditto that. I just e-mailed my buddy who is code enforcement officer in next town over to see if he thinks local code allows. I'd call the code office in my own town but once I did that (called Code Enforcement Officer with a construction related question) in a nearby town and later that week I saw that same Code guy in his car just across the road. Coincidence maybe?

jerrybob · Nov 17, 2017

citytransplant said:
Interesting thread. I'm astounded as to the wide variability in pumping frequency. Generally speaking, it's a "crap shoot." Some pump religiously every 3 or 4 years (election cycles, interesting mnemonic) while others have not pumped for as long as they have owned their homes. The average national cost of septic tank pumping and cleaning is $385. Over a 30-year span, the homeowner pumping every 3 years has invested $3,850 (approximately $10.69 a month). With the cost of some of the more elaborate systems running into the tens of thousands, regularly pumping might be justifiable for some. I'm no expert, but my take-away so far from this thread is that pumping frequency among homeowners is primarily driven by: 1. the wide variability in household composition, 2. system design (including drainfield characteristics and tank size), and 3. local jurisdictional regulations.

11 bucks a month to keep the crap flowing in the right direction does not seem unreasonable.....we pump our septic every 4 years.

Doofy · Nov 17, 2017

Amazon.com: Filtrol 16 Lint Filter with 2 Filter Bags: Home & Kitchen These are spendy but well worth the cost. Lint and fuzz are leach field killers.

ultrarunner · Nov 17, 2017

^^^ Always used an old nylon stocking... does a fantastic job and amazing what accumulates over time.

Doofy · Nov 17, 2017

About the only way to use a nylon stocking would be to have a laundry sink to drain the washer in to. Since I don't have a sink, the cartridge type is what I have to use.