Septic Tanks: How often do you get them pumped out?

AlbertaGirl · 10-13-2009, 10:59 PM

We just got ours done for the second time since we've lived here - last time was 3 years ago - so, I've got plenty of time before I need to get it done again, but I was wondering if there is a rule of thumb on how often, and just what other people do (about getting the 'do cleaned out

)?

Dream Ponies · 10-14-2009, 06:17 AM

We treat ours monthly with Rid-x. I can't remember when we have had to pump it. The Rid-x does a great job of keeping it happy and working well.

BarnBum · 10-14-2009, 06:29 AM

We just got ours pumped. Here is what guy said from the company (Whose logo is ---- We are #1 in the #2 industry!!

1. RidX monthly (at night when you go to bed)
2. Don't overload with multiple showers/baths in a row. Same with washing. Don't do numerous loads at once.
3. No pasta or grease down the pipes. Pasta and grease does not break down and will clog your filter.

We just had ours done. The filter washed and the tank pumped. It wasn't full but it wasn't over flowing either. I don't know when it was done last, but hubby and I have been in the house 5 yrs and we bought it from a family. We weren't having problems but just wanted to get it done b/4 we had problems and we didn't know when it was last done.

Hope this helps

redboy · 10-14-2009, 07:09 AM

We have had ours done every 2-3 years since we built in 2003, and it's only the 2 of us living here.
It is my understanding that the system is designed to keep the 'waste' constantly breaking down, but it is good to have them pumped every few years.

rivervu2 · 10-14-2009, 07:23 AM

I often work with a great septic inspector who's been in the business for years. He said to have you tank pumped every 4-5 years. In between pumpings pour 2 packets of dry yeast down each toilet once a month. The yeast replaces the microbes that are killed by household cleaners.

bunnyal · 10-14-2009, 07:29 AM

We have only had ours pumped twice since 1972. Never have a problem except when we hadn't fenced our property in yet and the locals were driving over our drain field and we just had that repaired about 5 or 6 years ago.

pippy · 10-14-2009, 08:40 AM

Our septic guy told us about every 2-3 yrs. Depends on how many people in the house and how big of a septic it is.

Mav2007 · 10-14-2009, 08:54 AM

Where my parents live it's a requirement that they get them done every 3 years. The town sends them a reminder and if it's not done by a certain time, they can get a citation. Prior to this new "clean water" law, they pumped it out every 5 years and that was with a big family. Now it's just the two of them, but like I said, it's the law in their township to get it done every 3.

Red Gate Farm · 10-14-2009, 09:13 AM

It depends on the size of the holding tank, how much "stuff" you are dumping into it, and if you've used a treatment designed for septic tanks (Rid-X was mentioned).

When you have it pumped, ask the guy when you should have it done again. They can guess-timate pretty well

rescueme · 10-14-2009, 02:34 PM

We just moved into our new home in Dec. and the company that installed the tanks said about every 3 years. We've got a grey water tank for just the washing machine and deep sink. He advised us not to use Rid-X as the tank works just fine without it. The bacteria it creates is what keeps it cleared out. Disgusting if you ask me, I've always been on city sewage. I try not to think about it, though!

CowhorseGal · 10-14-2009, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rivervu2

I often work with a great septic inspector who's been in the business for years. He said to have you tank pumped every 4-5 years. In between pumpings pour 2 packets of dry yeast down each toilet once a month. The yeast replaces the microbes that are killed by household cleaners.

Ditto..

Kelpie · 10-14-2009, 02:50 PM

It also very much depends on your soil type. the better your soil drains the less frequently you need to pump. My parents live on sand, and have pumped twice in 30 yrs. In Fact the second time they just put in a new septic, since it was so old and they were adding a third bath. I live on old river bed with clay under and high water table. I need to pump every 5 or so yrs.

My mother loved flushing old halloween candy down the toilet, said it was good for the microbs..... and our teeth!

**taelesean** · 10-14-2009, 11:07 PM

Every two years or so here. VA has dense, clay soil. Just a mile or so from here is a brick mine - all they have to do is dig it up, shape it into bricks and fire them.

AlbertaGirl · 10-14-2009, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelpie

My mother loved flushing old halloween candy down the toilet, said it was good for the microbs..... and our teeth!

Now that's funny

I forgot to mention that we use Septo-Bac too, which I'm sure is like Rid-X. I've also used baking soda in my laundry, which it says on the baking soda box is good for the septic tank.

I was calling around price shopping before booking an appointment, and the one guy even commented "that it would be a simple job since we'd just had it done 3 years ago", so that made me wonder how often it really needed doing. The young (tall, handsome

) guy that came out to do ours said it wasn't a bad job to have, other than going to people's places who hadn't had theirs done for 20 years or so

. To leave it that long is pretty bad, considering it only cost $120, and took around half an hour!

breburtch · 10-18-2009, 09:19 AM

My dad used to pump tanks he said depending on the size they should be done every 3-4 years.

silly_lil_filly · 10-19-2009, 01:15 PM

wow thanks for the info I was just wondering the same thing about my septic tank at home....

chery · 10-19-2009, 01:39 PM

my husband owns a large plumbing sewer and septic company, he said you should pump your tank evey 3-4 years because that keeps your seepage pit or leach lines from failing and those cost over 3,000 dollars to replace, so its better to spend a couple hundred every 3-4 years then to spend over 3,000 at once!

Orchid · 10-19-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chery

my husband owns a large plumbing sewer and septic company, he said you should pump your tank evey 3-4 years because that keeps your seepage pit or leach lines from failing and those cost over 3,000 dollars to replace, so its better to spend a couple hundred every 3-4 years then to spend over 3,000 at once!

Yes indeed!

AlbertaGirl · 10-20-2009, 12:17 AM

Thanks again everyone, I guess we were right to get it done again when we did. I really wasn't sure how often the norm was, and while I knew I could ask companies in the business, I really wondered if they wouldn't just suggest it be done a little more frequently than needed to boost business

. I certainly would prefer to err on the side of caution, and prevent major problems down the line, so will just try to stick to the 3 or 4 year guideline

(Wow - the puns are almost limitless on this thread, and are so hard to resist

)

Horselessnomore · 10-26-2009, 10:49 PM

I was advised that every few years or so and not to get it done too late in the fall though. Apparently, the bacteria and other yucky stuff need to be able to get working again before it gets too cold out. The companies won't tell you that though because they will be out every month or so in the winter to re-pump your tank

though. We haven't had ours done yet and were considering doing it but since we are now looking to sell, will leave that up to any potential buyers to do in the spring.

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10-13-2009, 10:59 PM
AlbertaGirl Greenbroke Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Alberta Posts: 3,906	Septic Tanks: How often do you get them pumped out? We just got ours done for the second time since we've lived here - last time was 3 years ago - so, I've got plenty of time before I need to get it done again, but I was wondering if there is a rule of thumb on how often, and just what other people do (about getting the 'do cleaned out )? __________________ Some people say horses don't have a sense of humor... they obviously haven't met mine yet ;o)

10-14-2009, 06:17 AM
Dream Ponies Yearling Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NY Posts: 763	We treat ours monthly with Rid-x. I can't remember when we have had to pump it. The Rid-x does a great job of keeping it happy and working well.

10-14-2009, 06:29 AM
BarnBum Kid Safe Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sunshine State Posts: 5,851	We just got ours pumped. Here is what guy said from the company (Whose logo is ---- We are #1 in the #2 industry!! 1. RidX monthly (at night when you go to bed) 2. Don't overload with multiple showers/baths in a row. Same with washing. Don't do numerous loads at once. 3. No pasta or grease down the pipes. Pasta and grease does not break down and will clog your filter. We just had ours done. The filter washed and the tank pumped. It wasn't full but it wasn't over flowing either. I don't know when it was done last, but hubby and I have been in the house 5 yrs and we bought it from a family. We weren't having problems but just wanted to get it done b/4 we had problems and we didn't know when it was last done. Hope this helps __________________ *Life is a coin, you can spend it anyway you wish, but you can only spend it once.*

10-14-2009, 07:09 AM
redboy Started Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Eastern Shore of Maryland Posts: 2,754	We have had ours done every 2-3 years since we built in 2003, and it's only the 2 of us living here. It is my understanding that the system is designed to keep the 'waste' constantly breaking down, but it is good to have them pumped every few years.

10-14-2009, 07:23 AM
rivervu2 Started Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 2,408	I often work with a great septic inspector who's been in the business for years. He said to have you tank pumped every 4-5 years. In between pumpings pour 2 packets of dry yeast down each toilet once a month. The yeast replaces the microbes that are killed by household cleaners. __________________ *"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have."* *Thomas Jefferson*

10-14-2009, 07:29 AM
bunnyal Yearling Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Pasco County, Florida Posts: 857	We have only had ours pumped twice since 1972. Never have a problem except when we hadn't fenced our property in yet and the locals were driving over our drain field and we just had that repaired about 5 or 6 years ago. __________________ When I die I want to be buried face down, so those who didn't like me can kiss my a**!

10-14-2009, 08:40 AM
pippy Started Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: minnesota Posts: 2,298	Our septic guy told us about every 2-3 yrs. Depends on how many people in the house and how big of a septic it is. __________________ "It's never to late to live happily ever after."

10-14-2009, 08:54 AM
Mav2007 Started Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,672	Where my parents live it's a requirement that they get them done every 3 years. The town sends them a reminder and if it's not done by a certain time, they can get a citation. Prior to this new "clean water" law, they pumped it out every 5 years and that was with a big family. Now it's just the two of them, but like I said, it's the law in their township to get it done every 3. __________________

10-14-2009, 09:13 AM
Red Gate Farm Started Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 2,362	It depends on the size of the holding tank, how much "stuff" you are dumping into it, and if you've used a treatment designed for septic tanks (Rid-X was mentioned). When you have it pumped, ask the guy when you should have it done again. They can guess-timate pretty well __________________ "Humans is sneaky" - Scotty

10-14-2009, 02:34 PM
rescueme Halter broke Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: My dream home Posts: 113	We just moved into our new home in Dec. and the company that installed the tanks said about every 3 years. We've got a grey water tank for just the washing machine and deep sink. He advised us not to use Rid-X as the tank works just fine without it. The bacteria it creates is what keeps it cleared out. Disgusting if you ask me, I've always been on city sewage. I try not to think about it, though! __________________ "Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine."

10-14-2009, 02:50 PM
Kelpie Halter broke Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Vermont Posts: 110	It also very much depends on your soil type. the better your soil drains the less frequently you need to pump. My parents live on sand, and have pumped twice in 30 yrs. In Fact the second time they just put in a new septic, since it was so old and they were adding a third bath. I live on old river bed with clay under and high water table. I need to pump every 5 or so yrs. My mother loved flushing old halloween candy down the toilet, said it was good for the microbs..... and our teeth!

10-14-2009, 11:07 PM
taelesean Administrator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,319	Every two years or so here. VA has dense, clay soil. Just a mile or so from here is a brick mine - all they have to do is dig it up, shape it into bricks and fire them. __________________

10-18-2009, 09:19 AM
breburtch Started Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ennismore, Ontario Posts: 2,910	My dad used to pump tanks he said depending on the size they should be done every 3-4 years.

10-19-2009, 01:15 PM
silly_lil_filly Halter broke Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Dunnellon Florida Posts: 58	wow thanks for the info I was just wondering the same thing about my septic tank at home....

10-19-2009, 01:39 PM
chery Halter broke Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: apple valley, ca Posts: 97	my husband owns a large plumbing sewer and septic company, he said you should pump your tank evey 3-4 years because that keeps your seepage pit or leach lines from failing and those cost over 3,000 dollars to replace, so its better to spend a couple hundred every 3-4 years then to spend over 3,000 at once! __________________ Three barrels, two hearts, one dream!

10-20-2009, 12:17 AM
AlbertaGirl Greenbroke Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Alberta Posts: 3,906	Thanks again everyone, I guess we were right to get it done again when we did. I really wasn't sure how often the norm was, and while I knew I could ask companies in the business, I really wondered if they wouldn't just suggest it be done a little more frequently than needed to boost business . I certainly would prefer to err on the side of caution, and prevent major problems down the line, so will just try to stick to the 3 or 4 year guideline (Wow - the puns are almost limitless on this thread, and are so hard to resist ) __________________ Some people say horses don't have a sense of humor... they obviously haven't met mine yet ;o)

10-26-2009, 10:49 PM
Horselessnomore Started Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Posts: 2,345	I was advised that every few years or so and not to get it done too late in the fall though. Apparently, the bacteria and other yucky stuff need to be able to get working again before it gets too cold out. The companies won't tell you that though because they will be out every month or so in the winter to re-pump your tank though. We haven't had ours done yet and were considering doing it but since we are now looking to sell, will leave that up to any potential buyers to do in the spring. __________________