Regular maintenance is vital for a properly functioning septic system!
Call for an appointment at
1-800-91SEPTIC.
GUIDELINES

How often a septic tank needs to be pumped depends on the tank's design
and how it is operated. To examine the factors that effect pumping frequency of septic tanks
use the form below or print out the PDF file.

Download PDF File
Present your filled in Guideline Form to the visiting technician and receive a discount of $50.00!

EFFECTS
Wastewater that enters the septic system for each of these appliances affects the pumping frequency guidelines. Do you have a:
water conditioning unit (water softener or iron filter)?
garbage disposal?
automatic clothes washer?

Do you have
an in-home business (such as daycare, beauty shop)?
more than 4 overnight guests at a time, several times per year?
a laundry pattern of doing three or more loads per day?

If your septic tank is smaller than indicated for the size of the house, 10 points will be added.
House Size Tank Capacity
2-3 bedrooms
4-5 bedrooms
6-7 bedrooms
8-9 bedrooms
Number of bedrooms
1000 gallons
1500 gallons
1750 gallons
2000 gallons
Number of gallons

Frequency -- When was the last cleaning?

The number of people living and using water in the household affects the cleaning frequency. Enter the number of people.
House Size # of People   Load    
-= x 3 =

TOTAL EFFECTS:
CREDITS
Do you:
use a suds-saving or front-loading clothes washer, or do 4 or fewer loads of laundry spread throughout the week?
have two full-size septic tanks or one tankn with 150% or more of the capacity required for your house?

Check the boxes below if you:
Are ULTRA-CONSERVATIVE on water use
Use low-volume toilets (3 gallon or less per flush)
Use low-flow shower heads
Have two or fewer people in the house and bathe fewer than five times per week
Have no one at home for 10 hours or more most days

TOTAL CREDITS:
This equation will calculate how often your septic tank should be pumped:
36 -
Total Effects
+
Total Credits
= Months between pumpings

Site © Steve's Septic Service, LLC, 2005.
Portions of content © University of Minnesota Extension Service, 1997, 2004, 2005. Used with permission.
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