The care and feeding of your septic system.

How it works:

As long as things are working properly, no solids make their way to the leach field and the soil absorbs all the liquid that winds up there.

Ok, the solids in the tank that the bacteria can't break down build up over time. If these are not removed by periodic pumping, the tank will eventually allow solids to get washed out to the leach field and begin clogging the soil there. When the soil gets clogged enough.. the system will no longer handle a flush. With that kind of failure the whole leach field will need to be replaced including, often, replacing the soil. (read: VERY expensive).

Maintenance Needs:

Tank pumping frequency depends on:

• Tank size or capacity
• The volume of wastewater (number of occupants)
• Amount of solids in wastewater (garbage disposals)

 500*     6.0       2.5     1.5     1.0     0.5     0.5     0.3     0.2     0.1       -
 750*     9.0       4.0     2.5     2.0     1.5     1.0     0.5     0.5     0.5     0.3
 900    11.0       5.0     3.5     2.5     1.5     1.5     1.0     1.0     0.5     0.5
1000   12.5       6.0     3.5     2.5     2.0     1.5     1.0     1.0     1.0     0.5
1250   15.5       7.5     5.0     3.5     2.5     2.0     1.5     1.5     1.0     1.0
1500   19.0       9.0     6.0     4.0     3.5     2.5     2.0     2.0     1.5     1.5
1750   22.0     10.5     7.0     5.0     4.0     3.0     2.5     2.0     2.0     1.5
2000   25.5     12.5     8.0     6.0     4.5     3.5     3.0     2.5     2.0     2.0
2250   28.5     14.0     9.0     6.5     5.0     4.0     3.5     3.0     2.5     2.5
2500   39.0     15.5   10.0     7.5     6.0     5.0     4.0     3.5     3.0     2.5

* Below the minimum size allowed in many jurisdictions

Note: More frequent pumping is needed if you use a garbage disposal.

Septic tanks will not fail immediately if they are not pumped. However, an un-maintained septic tank is no longer protecting the soil absorption field from solids. Continued neglect may result in system failure and even replacement of the soil absorption field. In some cases, site limitations may make replacement of the absorption field impossible.

I didn't make a mistake by leaving out a discussion of additives for your septic system. They are a waste of money (literally pouring it down the drain) and often do more harm than good.

So what does it cost to have your tank pumped?? Well that will vary by your location, but you can figure on between $100 and $200 dollars. And THAT is not money down the drain!

Reprinted with permission from HandyManUSA.Com