How do I know my septic tank needs pumping?
The calendar is the first clue, and the house and yard are the second. A tank that is overdue tends to show it in both places. Sewage backing up into a tub or toilet is an emergency; cut back water use and see emergency septic service.
Signs in the house
The septic warning signs guide explains which of these point to the tank and which point to the field.
- Drains that run slowly in every fixture at once
- Gurgling from pipes after a flush or a load of laundry
- Sewage odor indoors, or a backup at the lowest drain in the house
Signs in the yard
- Soggy ground or standing water over the tank or field
- Sewage odor outdoors
- A strip of grass much greener than the rest of the lawn
How often should a septic tank be pumped?
EPA says household tanks are typically pumped every 3 to 5 years and that the system should be inspected at least every 3 years. VDH gives the same 3 to 5 year range. Systems with pumps or float switches need a check about once a year.
What changes the schedule
Four things move your interval: how many people live in the house, how much wastewater they make, how many solids reach the tank, and the tank size. A garbage disposal adds solids and shortens the interval. The pumping schedule guide helps you place your household.
How sludge and scum depth are checked
EPA gives three measures for pumping now: the bottom of the scum layer within 6 inches of the outlet bottom, the top of the sludge within 12 inches of the outlet, or sludge and scum above 25 percent of the liquid depth.
What happens during a septic pump-out?
Dunn Rite pumps the tank empty and looks at its condition while it is open. EPA says the service professional should check for leaks, measure the sludge and scum layers, and record the tank’s condition and any repairs in a report. Ask for that record and keep it with your house papers.
Finding the tank and lids
The crew needs to reach the lid. If no one knows where it is, tank and drain field location comes first. Mark the spot and clear vehicles and pets before the truck arrives.
Do you need a riser?
A riser brings the lid up to the surface so the crew does not dig every time. It also makes it easier to check the tank between pump-outs.
What is checked inside the tank
The inlet and outlet baffles or tees are checked after pumping, since a missing or damaged tee lets solids move toward the field. Virginia Tech’s septic guide also lists the distribution box as a part to check for shifting after a pump-out.
A pump-out cannot show everything. The drain field is buried and the crew sees it only through the tank, the box and the surface.
What does septic tank pumping not fix?
Pumping clears stored solids. It does not repair a cracked tank, a failed baffle or a drain field that has stopped taking water. A tank that is full and drains slowly again within weeks usually points to the field.
If that is the case, the next step may be distribution box repair or drain field jetting. Pumping also does not replace the inspection a lender or buyer may ask for before a sale.
Who is allowed to pump septic tanks in Virginia?
Hauling septic contents counts as sewage handling. The Virginia Department of Health issues the permit, inspects the truck and allows discharge only at an approved sewerage system or treatment works.
Which areas does pumping reach?
Pumping is available within about 40 miles of Lynchburg, including Lynchburg properties that are not on city sewer. On the Bedford County shore of Smith Mountain Lake, systems within 500 feet of the lake at full pond must be pumped at least once every five years, which sets the interval there.
Pascat photo requestPhoto needed hereOpen concrete septic tank lid with a riser collar at ground level and a pump hose lowered in, shot from standing height in flat daylight, no faces.
Common questions
How long can my tank go between pump-outs?
EPA and VDH both put the typical range at every 3 to 5 years for a household. Household size, wastewater volume, solids and tank size set where you land. A garbage disposal pushes the interval shorter. A measured check of sludge and scum depth is more reliable than a guess.
How do I find my septic tank?
Check the health department permit or as-built drawing for a sketch. Look for a lid or a patch of different grass along the line where the main sewer pipe leaves the house. If nothing turns up, Dunn Rite offers tank and drain field location.
Will the pump truck damage my yard?
The truck usually stays on the driveway or the nearest firm ground, and the hose runs to the lid. Soft ground after rain can rut. Tell the crew about irrigation lines or buried utilities, and mark the lid if it is hidden.
What is the difference between pumping and cleaning a septic tank?
Pumping empties the tank of liquid and solids. Cleaning usually goes further: the walls are rinsed or scraped, and the baffles and any filter are checked while the tank is empty. Dunn Rite lists its service as pumping and cleaning, so ask the office what a visit includes for your tank, and whether both compartments of a two-compartment tank are emptied.
Do septic additives replace pumping?
No. Dunn Rite’s guidance is that additives are generally unnecessary and may harm the system, and the EPA says the same. Only pumping removes the sludge and scum that collect over the years. A product poured in monthly does not change the measurement that decides when your tank is due.
My tank is full but the drains are only slow. Why?
A full tank is one cause. If the drains stay slow after pumping, wastewater may not be leaving the system, which points to the distribution box or the drain field. A visit that checks the outlet baffle, the box and the surface of the field is the next step, because pumping a second time will not fix a field that has stopped absorbing.
Can I pump my own septic tank?
Do not open the tank or lean into it. Tank gases are hazardous and the opening is a fall risk. Hauling septic contents also falls under a VDH sewage handling permit, so the waste has to go to an approved disposal point, which a homeowner with a bucket or a rented pump cannot legally provide.
Do I need to be home for a pump-out?
Not necessarily, but the crew needs clear access to the lid and may need a gate unlocked or a dog kept inside. Whether someone must be home depends on Dunn Rite’s scheduling, which this site does not state, so confirm by phone. If the lid is buried, be present to point out where you think the tank sits.