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How Often Should Septic Tanks Be Cleaned

Septic system layout

All septic tanks need to be pumped out at some point but the time it takes to reach that point varies according to the amount they are used, which basically comes down to the number of people using the tank, but also, what is put into the tank. Some households may rinse things like vegetable peelings or coffee grinds down the sink (which end up in the septic system), while others may use chemicals that disturb the natural lifecycle of bacteria in the tank that breakdown the organic matter.

The question is, how do you know for sure that it’s time to ring Fluidtec and get a septic tank clean?

A rough way of knowing that your septic tank might need pumping out is to note when it was last emptied and how many people have been using it since then. Average usage, say three people in the household, indicates an average time between cleans of 3 to 5 years. More usage will obviously reduce this time and less usage will extend the time between cleans.

Remember though, a rough guide is just that. The consequences of a blocked system can be severe in terms of inconvenience and costs, so knowing that you may be close to needing a clean is simply a catalyst for getting it done.

It goes without saying that if you are getting sewage-like odours from your septic tank, drains that are backing up, or excess water around the tank or drain field, it’s time to get an expert in to get your system back into good working order.

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