how often should you pump out a septic tank? there are only two adults in the house. Do u need to add "bugs"

Answer 1

Rule of thumb is every 4 years. I have it done every presidential election. That way it is easy to remember. Oh... it's an election year... time to get rid of the $h!t!

Answer 2

We moved to a rural property a year ago. The owner said the tanks (there were two dwellings) had not been pumped for 5 years (only one person lived in each place during that time). We got them both pumped out, and one tank was nearly full but the other not quite half full. The septic cleaner guy said you only need to pump them out every two years. He also said you don't need to put anything in the tank. But other locals say to use baking soda every so often, so I do that. I think it makes sense to avoid putting a lot of toilet paper and debris that can be avoided into it.
Ultimately it would depend on how many people use it and what kind of other waste materials you throw down there.

Answer 3

My mother has a septic tank and takes considerable care to not put anything down the drain other than water and toilet wastes. She runs her washing machine water into a gravel pit and carries greasy dish water out as well. She puts a enzyme in the toilet once a month (sorry don't know the name) to assist in the break up of the solids in the tank. Even with all her persistence, the tank has had to be pumped about once every five - six years. Maybe some others with septic tank experience can share their stories as well.

Answer 4

depends on the size of the tank... they come in a variety of capacities... in general, from the sounds of it, every other year unless you have a very large capacity tank (1500 gallon). Also, it's good to add an enzyme treatment annually to help the breakdown of the solids. (some people have used roadkill which will work, but isn't pleasant to deal with). some persons have gone 10+ years without a pump (not knowing it needed maintenance) and the entire septic system could fail as a result of solids reaching the leach lines.

Answer 5

Depends on the size of the septic tank. I had a 1200 gallon tank, and there were 8 people in the house AND we used a garbage disposal. Cleaned it first time after 5 years. No problems.

Answer 6

If you're septic is backing up, get a pro in there immediately, they might decide to re-dig and re-build your septic field. if you're just curious, then you shouldn't HAVE to pump it at all, EVER. Depending on the size of your house (number of bedrooms) your septic should have been designed for 2 people per bedroom. If you want to add bugs, add rid-x. you just flush it down the toilet. Now, if it wasn't designed correctly, then, you might have to pump it, but only if a pipe is broken, collapsed, you drive over your leach field, etc.... and you're tank is too small. We recommend a 1250 gallon effective liquid limit septic tank and a 1530 square foot leach field for a three bedroom house, with an acceptable percolation rate (if your soils perc between a 5 and a 60, number means minutes per inch of water). add 250 gallons to the septic tank and 510 square feet to the leach field for every bedroom over 3. hope that helps!!!

Answer 7

there are enough "bugs" in one human bowel movement to get things cooking. I just got a new septic system 6 years ago, apparently my old system was just a 5 foot section
of culvert pipe...I was told many times that I was lucky it wasn't a car.. Well just a piece of pipe lasted 3 + years with a family of five. I asked the plumbers your question and found out allot about bacteria and poo, the "helper" bacteria is just a scam. Been six years and no problems with the new tank.

Answer 8

Septic systems do not need added bacteria.they have a solid, liquid,and scum separation. Garbage disposals, bleach, Drano, antibacterial soaps, etc... are hard on systems. if you adjust your habits 5 (safe) to 10 years will keep your drain field from getting solids building up in it. If you use the garbage disposal, bleach and anti bacterial soap, flush stuff that does not break down(latex, Cotton, plastic, etc..) 1 to 2 years is about right. Cans are for garbage, septic tanks are for septic.

Answer 9

Every 5-6 years. Add no bugs

Answer 10

Once a year is a good thing it will prolong the life of your system and provide the septic guy with an annual opportunity to make sure everything is copacetic with the system.