Homeowner Advice for Cleaning Septic Tanks

Septic tanks offer an alternative method for the treatment of wastewater. The need for minimal maintenance is one of the primary benefits of owning and using a septic tank system and is an ideal way to deal with the relatively small amount of sewage created by a single-family household. Though common, the care and cleaning of a septic tank can prove an intimidating process by an inexperienced or first time homeowner.

• Typically speaking, the most common method used to determine if or when a septic tank ought to be pumped, is the use of what is known as a ‘pumping frequency table’. If you have just installed your septic system, this helpful table should have been included in your owner’s documentation. If you lack the pumping frequency table guide, one can be easily obtained via the Internet. Be sure to refer to the recommended pumping frequency for your particular tank.


• Keep in mind that there are other mitigating factors that will play a part in determining when and how often your tank might need to be pumped. The amount of usage a tank sees will play a deciding factor, as will discovering whether or not your tank is of standard size. A standard tank is typically four to six feet deep, whereas a ‘lowboy’ is a smaller tank used in areas lacking enough soil depth for a standard tank. If you have a smaller tank, expect to pump more often.


• The good news is that you are not expected to pump your septic tank yourself. There are a great many septic tank ‘pump and haul’ contractors available via your local yellow pages or a quick Internet search that will be willing to clean your tank. It is always considered best practice to be on hand and supervise the cleaning to ensure that it is done properly and thoroughly.


• In order to extract all the material from the tank, the ‘scum layer’ must be broken up and the sludge layer mixed with the liquid portion of the tank. This is achieved via alternately pumping liquid from the tank and re-injecting it into the bottom of the tank. You will want to ensure that the pumping of the tank is done through the central manhole and not the baffle inspection ports. Attempting to pump a tank via the baffle inspection ports can actually damage the baffles, resulting in a damaged or destroyed leach field.


• To facilitate future cleaning and inspection, if you’ve not already done so, install risers from the manhole and inspection ports to the surface to ensure necessary access ports. Be certain that your septic tank cover and all access port covers are in good working order and safe to use. A poorly installed or poorly maintained cover can result in collapse and can prove fatal to someone walking over the area.