6 June 2018
 Categories: , Blog

The thought of buying or living in a home with a septic tank system may make you a little nervous. However, in areas with no municipal sewer hookups, a septic system is a necessity. Septic systems use a septic tank to deal with the wastewater from your home. These independent systems need to be cleaned and pumped on a regular basis to remove waste. If you are moving into a home with a septic system, here are three things that you should know.

1. How Often Septic Tanks Need to Be Pumped

The first thing that you should be aware of is how often your septic tank needs to be pumped and cleaned. This can vary depending on how much waste your household produces, as well as the size and model of the tank. Most septic tanks required pumping and cleaning every three to five years, however, some require annual pumping. It's important to know how often your septic tank needs to be pumped and to stay on top of routine maintenance for your system. 

2. The Cost of Septic Tank Pumping

Another thing to consider is the cost to have your septic tank emptied. This must be done by a professional. The average cost of septic tank pumping ranges from $75 to up to $300 for an average sized tank. Pumping larger septic tanks ranges from $200 to over $350 on average. If your system gets a lot of use, you may find yourself having to get your septic tank pumped sooner than you expect. Overall it's a fairly quick process, taking four to five hours when done manually and around two hours when done using equipment such as a backhoe. 

3. The Lifespan of a Septic System

The lifespan of the septic system is another thing to consider when moving into a home that uses one. The average life expectancy of a septic system is around 25 years. If your system is near the end of this range, you may want to consider replacement in the near future. The average cost of a new septic system ranges from $2,753 to $8,016. While replacing a septic system may seem daunting, it's likely something you will only need to do once. Regular maintenance and cleaning are also essential for keeping your system in good shape for as long as possible.

If you are used to being hooked up to a municipal sewer system, a septic tank may seem daunting. However, they are effective for dealing with waste. They do require some maintenance. Septic tanks must be pumped every one to five years, and costs can vary depending on the size of your tank. The lifespan of a septic system is around 25 years; however, regular maintenance is a must for getting the full life out of your septic system. 

For more information, contact a company like John Manning Plumbing.