When Should You Empty Your Septic Tank: Scheduling Guide

Septic tanks play an essential role in the function of your sewer system. In order to keep them in proper working order, you must empty them regularly. Many property owners wonder: When should you empty your septic tank?

Generally, the frequency for emptying your sewage tank depends upon the size of your tank and the number of people living in your home. Find out more with King’s Services’ septic tank cleaning and pumping in Winnipeg. 

You can reach us at 204-815-5878 for specific information about when to empty your septic tank. 

Factors To Consider When Planning To Empty Your Septic Tank

Septic tanks fill up at different rates. However, the experts generally recommend having your system emptied every three to five years. Factors that impact this schedule may include:

Your Household Size

The more people who live in your home, the faster your septic tank fills up. Generally, contractors plan and install a system based on the number of bathrooms in your home. However, you may have a wide range of people living in a house with, for example, two bathrooms. 

The Size of Your Septic Tank

Not all properties use the same size septic system. For example, if you have a large tank, it will fill up more slowly. However, don’t take this to mean you should buy the largest septic tank available for your property. 

An oversized septic tank may have other problems over time. Speak with a contractor about getting a tank that meets your needs. 

Wastewater Generation

The water used in your property enters your septic tank, including the water from your washer machine or dishwasher. Depending upon the amount of water you use in your home, it could end up straining the septic system. 

Number of Solids in Your Wastewater

Finally, the number of solids you wash away with wastewater may increase the need to empty your septic tank. Solids include more than human waste. If you rinse food waste down your garbage disposal, it ends up in your septic tank as well. 

How To Tell When to Empty Your Septic Tank

When should you empty your septic tank? In truth, the answer to this question varies based on all of the above factors. You may want to have a septic tank professional come out to your property every year or so to assess the condition of your tank. 

Septic tank technicians can open the septic tank lid to determine if the tank needs emptying or not. Crews look at two factors when they perform an inspection:

The Scum Trap

Your septic tank likely has a scum trap at the top. This trap allows the technicians to assess the thickness of your scum layer. We use the term scum to refer to the grease that forms on the very top of the material in the tank. 

If your scum layer is around six inches thick, your plumber may recommend emptying the tank. 

The Sludge Depth

Crews also check the sludge depth on the bottom of your tank. They use a sludge measuring stick to perform this test, which requires them to extend the stick past the scum and effluent in the tank. 

Generally, you should consider emptying the tank if you have at least one foot of sludge in the bottom of your tank. Waiting to empty your tank once it has a foot of sludge in it may lead to severe problems with your septic system. 

High levels of sludge force scum, effluent, and sludge out into your drain field and may clog up your system. You may experience wastewater backups into your home and slow drains in this situation. Backups often require expensive repairs. 

Steps to Limit the Number of Times You Empty Your Septic Tank

Emptying your tank represents a vital part of septic tank maintenance. However, the process may also prove expensive for many homeowners. You can stretch out the time between appointments to have your tank emptied by following specific steps. 

Take steps to reduce the amount of water entering your tank by:

• Installing high-efficiency toilets
• Using high-efficiency showerheads 
• Using faucet aerators 
• Running full loads of laundry 

Improperly loading your washer machine wastes water. It also increases the load on your septic tank, requiring you to have the tank emptied more frequently. In addition to limiting water waste, you can protect your tank by properly disposing of items like:

• Oil or grease
• Condoms or tampons 
• Wipes, floss, or paper towels 
• Coffee grounds
• Cat litter 
• Cigarette butts 

Flushing these items down your toilet means they end up in your septic tank. Septic tanks are not designed to process away any of these materials, so they just remain in there, filling up the tank and potentially causing blockages.

Instead of flushing these items, throw them away in your trash can. Taking this step helps protect your septic system. 

Take Care of Your Drain Field

In addition to paying attention to what you put in your septic tank, make sure that you treat the drain field well to prevent serious issues. Do not drive over the drain field or park on it. Be careful when planting trees to make their roots cannot reach your septic tank. 

You may also need to speak with plumbing professionals before putting sump pumps or roof drains into place. Allowing rainwater to run onto your drain field may impact the effectiveness of your septic tank. 

You may contact the professionals to go over more tips for preserving the life of your septic tank and keeping it in proper working order. 

Contact Us to Empty Your Septic Tank

When should you empty your septic tank? Many property owners need to empty their tanks every three to five years. The exact time frame for you depends upon the size of your tank, the number of people in your home, and more. 

You can get help emptying your tank or handling septic system malfunctions from our team at King’s Services. Contact us at 204-815-5878 for assistance in Winnipeg.