Just like any other major working system in your home, your septic system requires a little maintenance in order to protect its function. The primary requirement for septic maintenance involves cleaning your tank, otherwise known as a routine septic tank pumping. Don’t worry; this task typically doesn’t need to be done every year. However, most tanks should be cleaned and pumped every 3 to 5 years to ensure disruptive backups and other plumbing problems don’t occur.
Many homeowners want to know if there is a good or bad time of year to schedule this essential septic maintenance appointment. The truth is, there is never a “bad time” to tend to your septic tank. However, certain scenarios can make certain times better than others.
When the “Time is Now” for Septic Pumping
First and foremost, if you notice signs that your septic tank is full, it doesn’t matter what time of year or time of day it is, make the call to a septic professional to remedy the problem. Telltale signs that your septic tank is full and needs to be pumped includes the following:
- Pooling Water Around Drain Field in Yard
- Foul Odors in Your Home
- Slow Drains
- Sewer Backup
- An Overly Healthy Lawn
Things to Consider When Scheduling Your Pumping
If you know your septic tank will need a pumping in the next calendar year, you may be curious if the summer or winter is better. It really shouldn’t matter in terms of your septic tank and the effectiveness or outcome of the cleaning. Most septic tanks are located a few feet underground so they can typically stay around the same temperature year-round. However, if your septic tank is buried shallow (about a foot under the ground surface), you may want to tackle the task during the spring months, when the bio-thermal temperature in the tank should not be affected by freezing.
Are you protective over your landscape? For those homeowners who want to avoid any disruptions to their lawn, a septic cleaning is best performed in winter or late summer. This lowers the risk of lawn damage as well as supplies your grass with nutrients to help it grow back. If your septic system has installed risers and easy access to the tank’s lid, digging and lawn disruption should not be a concern.
Understanding Your Septic Pumping Needs
Not sure when your septic tank should be pumped or cleaned next? Ask the professional of Metro Septic. We can calculate your tank size with the amount of use your septic tank is getting to determine a general timeline for septic pumping frequency. Our experts offer routine septic maintenance as well as 24/7 emergency services. Call today!