subject: Live in Walton County? Septic Pumping Happens Every 2-3 Years [print this page] If you live in Walton County, septic pumping is just a routine event. Every two to three years you need to clear out your tank, regardless of how large it may be. While many homes were built and furnished with minimal tanks of 1000 gallons, even those with larger tanks should be pumped out on a regular schedule.
Why Pump it Out if it Isnt Full?
The problem with leaving a tank for many years between pumping cycles is that the solids compact over time. Every system should be inspected yearly in any case, but the longer the solids sit at the bottom of the tank the more difficult they become to remove when pumping is performed.
How to Tell when you Need Pumping
If you are willing to take on this job yourself, more power to you. You will need a septic tank probe; directions for making one can be found online. This will allow you to measure the scum layer at the top of the tank and the sludge layer at the bottom.
If your scum layer is less than an inch below the bottom of the baffle, or within three inches of the sludge layer on the bottom of the tank, you need to have the tank pumped.
You will also check to see how thick the layer of sludge is at the bottom. Once you are within 12 inches of the bottom of the baffle or 18 inches from the effluent outlet, you also need to pump.
The Danger of Waiting too Long
You may not think waiting a little longer is a big deal; that is until your scum layer enters the baffle. Suddenly, what was a routine job becomes a much more complex issue. Cleaning out baffles that have been clogged with scum takes a lot more work and you are most likely to find out you have a problem when the wastewater backs up into your home.
Pumping Out Requires Expertise and Paperwork
Pumping out a septic tank isnt a do-it-yourself job. This one has to be left to the professionals. The State of Georgia requires certain permits for those who own and use vacuum trucks for septic pumping.
You will need to call your service and schedule an appointment for the work. The technician will come by and inspect not only the tank but also the distribution box, the baffles, the piping and the leach field.
Assuming all is in working order, the pumping itself takes a short a time, usually less than 45 minutes. Once the solids have been cleaned out, the tank inspected in an empty state and the lid replaced, you can expect a written report on your system.
Remember, your septic system is unlikely to give warning before it fails. Regular maintenance is your best bet to keep your system running smoothly for many years.
Live in Walton County? Septic Pumping Happens Every 2-3 Years
