When a septic tank pumping is not pumped regularly, solid waste will overflow into the soil absorption area. This creates a biomass that restricts the movement of wastewater. If the sewage seeps into groundwater or municipal water reserves, it could affect public health and impact the environment. This is why it is important to keep your septic system properly pumped.

How often you need your septic tank pumped will depend on the size of the septic tank, household size and other factors. However, it is recommended that you have your septic tank pumped every 3-5 years. If you have a newer septic tank it may only need to be pumped every five years.

Why Septic Tank Pumping is a Vital Part of Home Maintenance in Jacksonville

The process of having your septic tank pumped is simple. On the day of your appointment, a professional will come to your home and locate the septic tank. They will carefully remove the lid and using specialized equipment will place a vacuum pump inside the tank. The vacuum pump will suck the waste and liquid out of the tank. Once the tank is empty the septic technician will replace the lid and then clean the inlet and outlet ports.

It is important to note that you should never try to open or enter your septic tank on your own as these tanks contain dangerous gasses. If you want to check the level of sludge and scum in your septic tank yourself, you can use a septic tank leveling stick. The septic tank leveling stick has a velcro strip that you can pull up to see the amount of sludge in the tank.