Most of the time, homeowners ignore their septic tanks. If the toilets flush, they assume everything is perfect. However, ignoring that tank for too long can lead to serious problems. Pumping your tank might feel like an annoying chore. However, it’s actually the most important thing you can do to protect your home and your wallet from a total disaster. Here are the pros and cons of septic pumping.
The Pros of Septic Pumping
The biggest reason to schedule a pump-out every few years is that it prevents solid waste from escaping the tank and clogging up your drain field. Inside the tank, heavy solids sink to the bottom to form a layer of sludge. Grease and oil float to the top to create a crusty scum layer. If the sludge gets too deep, there isn’t enough room for the water to settle. Those nasty solids get pushed out into the perforated pipes in your yard. Once those pipes get clogged with gunk, the water has nowhere to go but back up into your house or onto the surface of your lawn. A quick pumping service removes all that buildup and gives your system a fresh start. This can extend the life of your drain field by decades.
The Downside of Septic Pumping
Septic pumping usually costs a few hundred dollars, depending on where you live. You also have to deal with the logistics of having a giant vacuum truck pull into your driveway and stretch a long hose across your flower beds. If you don’t know exactly where your tank is buried, the plumber might have to spend time poking around with a metal rod. You might even have to pay extra for them to dig up the lid. Some homeowners feel that this is a lot of money to spend on a system that seems to be working just fine. It can be tempting to push the service off for one more year. However, small savings today could lead to a replacement project that will cost you thousands.
When Sludge Becomes a Crisis
When a septic system fails because it wasn’t pumped, the problems are much worse than a bad smell in the backyard. You might find that your washing machine starts backing up into your bathtub. You could even wake up to find a swampy, foul-smelling puddle over your drain field that attracts flies and makes it impossible to let the dog out. This happens because the soil becomes clogged with organic matter that prevents it from filtering the water properly. At this point, simply pumping the tank usually isn’t enough to fix the damage. The soil itself is ruined. You might end up having to pay for a soil scientist and a team of excavators to dig up your whole yard. This is a stressful mess that most families simply can’t afford.
Most experts recommend pumping your tank every three to five years. However, the right timing really depends on how many people live in your house and how much water you use. An expert can help you determine the best schedule. If you live in College Station, TX or a surrounding area and need septic repair services, make your first call to Mustang Septic.