InspectAPedia ^®

Reasons to Pump Out Septic Tanks InspectAPedia®  -     How to pump out / clean a septic tank, step by step photo-illustrated guide Before starting, some safety warnings for septic pumpers and homeowners When to pump the septic tank - why now? Other Reasons to Pump the Septic Tank besides just passage of time How to find the septic tank How to open the septic tank cover; removing the septic tank cover How to Inspect before pumping the septic tank; How the pumper truck or vacuum truck is operated Actually pumping out the septic tank; septic tank inspections while pumping Washing the septic tank after pumping, inspecting the tank after pumping Closing the septic tank How to record the septic tank location, advising homeowners

This document explains reasons for pumping the septic tank at times other than those provided by septic tank pumping tables.

Readers should see Septic Tank Pumping Frequency Guide for a table explaining when to schedule a septic cleanout. Citation of this article by reference to this website and brief quotation for the sole purpose of review are permitted. Use of this information at other websites, in books or pamphlets for sale is reserved to the author. Technical reviewers are welcome and are listed at "References."

This article is a supplement to Inspecting, Testing, & Maintaining Residential Septic Systems an online book on septic systems.

© Copyright 2009 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

Other reasons to pump out or clean septic tanks

At When to Pump and in the table shown at Septic Tank Pumping Frequency Guide we've discussed the basic guidelines and tables used to determine when a septic tank should be pumped. But There are other reasons besides time or sludge/scum layer thickness that lead people to pump septic tanks out. Here's a list of other reasons to pump the septic tank along with links to more details:

• Before the party: you can reduce the chances of a septic system backup as well as avoiding overloading the drainfield if you have the septic tank pumped right before any anticipated heavy usage such as having many visitors or having a large party with many guests in your home. We discuss this suggestion in detail at Septic Backup Prevention.
  
  
• Septic Pumping in Response to Sewage backups: pumping a septic tank because drains are backing up in the building is a "band aid" that gives very short relief since the tank will fill again quickly, perhaps in just a day or so of use. The reason for the septic backup needs to be determined. If the septic system is backing up because the tank is totally blocked by solid waste the tank needs to be pumped but the owner needs to be warned that the drain field has been damaged and has less remaining life. If the septic system is backing up because the drain field itself is failing and refuses to accept effluent, the drain field needs to be replaced. See Sewage Backup Diagnosis & Hazards in Buildings
  
  
• If the septic system drains are clogged the clog needs to be found and cleared. (See Clogged Drain Diagnosis)
  
  
• Houses being sold: often an owner or realtor will arrange for a septic tank to be pumped just before a home inspection or before a septic system inspection or septic loading and dye test. Such a "favor" performed for the buyer is in fact preventing a valid septic inspection and test since an empty tank means the drain field can't be tested. This is a fraudulent act and should not be tolerated. (See When Not to Pump a Septic Tank)
  
  
• Septic tanks exposed to flood conditions need to be pumped and inspected as the tank may have been filled with backing up silt or mud. (See SEPTIC FLOOD RESPONSE)
  
  
• Filled cesspools are often "repaired" by pumping and perhaps by other means such as agitating the cesspool bottom or sides. If a cesspool is found filled to within 6-12" of the top of the unit it is at end of life and needs replacement. Pumping some cesspools risks dangerous cave-ins or collapse. (See Cesspool Safety Warnings)
  
  
• Evidence of Septic Failure such as effluent on the property surface in the drain field area or odors leads some people to pump the septic tank. As cited in our first example above, "Sewage backups", this is a futile effort and other diagnosis and repair are needed. See
  • Signs of Septic System Failure
  • Causes of Septic Field Failures
  • Details of Causes of Drainfield Failures
  • Drainfield life expectancy
  • Definition of Septic System Failure - what is the failure criteria?
    
    
• Sewage odors sometimes lead people to pump septic tanks. Pumping is not likely to correct a sewer gas problem though tank inspection may provide some information about system condition. (See Diagnosing & Curing Sewer Gas Smells and Septic Tank Odors.)

Share this Article      

...

Technical Reviewers & References

Search InspectAPedia

• Daniel Friedman - principal author/editor of the InspectAPedia^® Website
• InspectAPedia Bookstore lists recommended books, organized by topic & available for purchase. Most of our articles also list books on the specific article topic as well as other references, and information sources.
• Critique, contributions wanted: Contact Us to suggest corrections or additions to articles at this website, and if you wish, to receive online listing and credit as a contributor. Particular thanks are due to the many experts and also consumers who read and critique technical articles at InspectAPedia.com.
• Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

• Special thanks to M & O Sanitation, Dutchess County NY (845) 471-0308 for permitting us to photograph steps during septic system service at our demonstration property.

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

• Our recommended books about building design, inspection, and repair, and about indoor environment testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore.
• ...

More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

• The Septic System Information Website home page for this topic
• Septic Systems Inspection, Testing, & Maintenance- online textbook. Detailed how to inspect, maintain, repair information
• The Home Buyer's Guide to Septic Systems
• Septic Tank Pumping Guide: When, Why, How to pump the septic tank
• Table of Required Septic & Well Clearances: Distances Between Septic System & Wells, Streams, Trees, etc.


• Additives & Chemicals: Septic System Maintenance - Are they even needed? Are they even legal?
• Baffles, Septic Tank septic tank baffles defects and inspection suggestions
• Buyer's Guide Home Buyer's Guide to Septic Systems Inspection & Testing - What to Do, Step by Step.
• Cesspool failures (MA)
• Cesspool Safety Warnings include dangers of cave-in and fatality
• Cesspools Home Buyer's or Owner's Advice
• Clearances & Distances from septic system components to other site features, property boundaries, waterways, etc.
• Clogged Drain Diagnosis - is the problem the septic system or the Building drain system?
• Don't Flush these things into a septic system: a list of what's ok and what's not ok to put into septic tanks and building drains
• Drywells Home Buyer's or Owner's Advice
• Filters for Septic Tanks & Graywater to protect septic drainfields and reduce drainfield clogging
• SEPTIC FLOOD RESPONSE what to do after a septic system has been exposed to flooding
• Garbage Grinders and garbage disposal units - effects on septic systems
• Levels: Inspecting the Level of Accumulated Solids, Sludge and Floating Scum in Treatment Tanks - Measuring the Sludge and Scum Levels in Septic Tanks
• Liquid Level in the Absorption System - drain fields, seepage pits, galleys
• OUTSIDE SEPTIC INSPECTION - - Simple Visual Site Inspection Gives Key Information About Septic System Condition
• Retention Time in Septic Tanks Septic Tank Pumping Guide discusses retention time and "net free area" in a tank (allowing for sludge and scum layers)
• Septic & Cesspool Safety - septic system, septic tank, & cesspool safety warnings for septic inspectors, septic pumpers, and homeowners.
• Septic D-BOX Inspection provides for help in finding and inspecting the septic system drainfield distribution box
• Septic Sludge & Scum Levels in Septic Tanks - Measuring the Level of Accumulated Solids, Sludge and Floating Scum in Treatment Tanks
• Septic Tank Location - How to Find the Septic Tank, how deep will the cover be, how to document its location
• Septic Tank Pumping Frequency Guide for Septic Tanks: When, How, What to Watch For when pumping or cleaning septic tanks
• Septic Tank Inspection Procedure - How to Inspect Septic Tanks and evaluate the septic tank condition, baffles, sludge levels, damage, evidence of septic failure, etc.
• Septic Tanks, Concrete defects and inspection suggestions for concrete septic tanks
• Septic Tanks, Fiberglass or Plastic defects and inspection suggestions for fiberglass or plastic septic tanks
• Septic Tanks, Home Made defects and inspection suggestions for home made or site built septic tanks
• Septic Tanks, Steel defects and inspection suggestions for steel septic tanks
• Septic Tank Sludge and Floating Scum: what makes up the contents of residential sewage
• Sewer Gas Odors diagnosing, finding, and curing septic tank and sewer line smells
• Sewer Gas - Methane and other septic system gas explosion or asphyxiation hazards such as hydrogen sulfide
• Tank Location - How to Find the Septic Tank, how deep will the cover be, how to document its location
• Ten Steps to Keeping a Septic System Working, suggestions from the U.S. EPA, edits and additions by DJF
• Planting Over Septic Systems: trees, shrubs, groundcover over the septic system: what can you plant over or near septic system components without causing a problem?
• SPOTTING SEPTIC BREAKOUTS - Spotting Dyed Septic Effluent Breakout Outside - Where Septic Dye is Likely to Show Up During a Septic Dye
• When Not to Pump a Septic Tank to avoid damage, unsafe conditions, or wasting money

• Pennsylvania State Fact Sheets relating to septic systems & domestic wastewater treatment systems include
  • Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-161, Septic System Failure: Diagnosis and Treatment
  • Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-162, The Soil Media and the Percolation Test
  • Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-l64, Mound Systems for Wastewater Treatment
  • Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-165, Septic Tank-Soil Absorption Systems
  • Document Sources used for this web page include but are not limited to: Agricultural Fact Sheet #SW-161 "Septic Tank Pumping," by Paul D. Robillard and Kelli S. Martin. Penn State College of Agriculture - Cooperative Extension, edited and annotated by Dan Friedman (Thanks: to Bob Mackey for proofreading the original source material.)

InspectAPedia® Home & Site Map - Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair, & Problem Prevention Advice: In-depth research & advice on diagnosing, testing, correcting, & preventing building defects & indoor environmental hazards. Unbiased information, no conflicts of interest.

The Mold Information Center: What to Do About Mold in Buildings, When and How to Inspect for Mold, Clean Up Mold, or Avoid Mold Problems

Use this simple, economical mold test kit by following our instructions on how to collect and mail mold samples to our lab

Environmental Inspection, Testing, & Diagnosis On-Site IAQ, Gas, Air Testing, Mold Investigation, Sick Building Diagnosis, Lab Services, & Remediation Plan Preparation - indoor air quality testing, problem source determination, supporting lab work, written remediation plan addressing removal of environmental and other hazards and prevention of their recurrence.

Building Inspection, Problem Diagnosis, Forensic Investigation & Testing, Repair Consulting

Contact Daniel Friedman for website content suggestions or for fee-paid consulting