How do I know when to empty a septic tank?

My septic company recommends every 2 yrs. If u have just moved into house, would have it done. Some septic companies will send u a reminder.

It also depends on size of family.

Chuck

You can ask 10 people and you will get 10 answers. I live on a recreational lake so we have tight standards and require a pump and check every 5 years. I am left wondering if someone isn't trying to get into creahands wallet. Pumping does 2 things, gets out anything that won't degrade and also allows for tank inspection. Debris depends of how many people, garbage disposal or not and what you flush other than human waste. From what the county inspector tells us, that we are wasting our money, I must conclude every 5 years is way often enough.

I have 7 adults living here. It cost me $125 last time had it done. For peace of mind and that price I will let him in my pocket.

Chuck

I laugh at bal answer and just to prove he's right, my township requires it every 3 years..

To be scientific about it, a perfect tank Bio matched to input of waste essentially would never need pumped. Greasy by products is usually the failure here.

And many do it when it starts backing up on the ground. I did mine about ever 4 or 5 years.

A septic tank is full when the compacted solids are within 12 inches from the bottom of the outlet T.

To ascertain the level of the compacted solids lower a pole down the inlet T and feel the top of the solids, it feels soft but firm.

If you do not have access to the inlet T, then remove the inspection lid and lower the pole through the floating crust and down through the water until you find the top of the solids.

You may ascertain the height of the bottom of the outlet T by, referring to the tank specification or by lowering a stick with a nail in it down the outlet T and hooking it on the bottom of the T.

Deduct the distance from the top of the tank to the bottom of the outlet T, from the distance from the top of the tank to the top of the solids = equals the available space.

Note: The toilet landing in the tank, needs time to be processed, the smaller the amount of space, the quicker the toilet will transit the tank and there may be suspended solids that will find their way into the drain field and block it. Do not overfill the tank.