As a general guideline, the United States Environmental Protection Agency recommends that residential septic systems be inspected on a three-year schedule and pumped every three to five years, depending on the usage, capacity, and efficiency of the septic system. While this information can be an excellent guide for most households who utilize a residential septic system, homeowners may also encounter situations where being more proactive about septic system care and maintenance will be necessary. 

If your home utilizes an on-site sanitary septic system for disposing the liquid and solid waste produced in your home, this information can help learn to recognize when your septic system may be in need of more frequent attention. 

Before or after heavy usage situations

Septic systems function best when they are not subjected to sudden changes in the amount of waste entering the tank. When high volumes of waste suddenly enter a septic tank, the level of needed bacterial action is interrupted as the layers of solid waste, liquid effluents, and the floating scum on top are churned and disrupted by higher than normal volumes of incoming waste liquids and solids. Taking proactive action to schedule septic pumping either before or after heavy usage situations can help restore normal septic tank functions and limit any potential negative effects that the tank and drain field may experience from the increased load. 

Some common examples of heavy usage situations that may call for proactively scheduling pumping services include when a residential home hosts a large gathering that will be utilizing the home's toilets, sinks, or bathing or kitchen facilities. Backyard weddings, family reunions, or frequent hosting of smaller groups can all result in a higher usage scenario that may require an additional septic inspection or pumping service. 

After flooding

Flooding of the home or the area where the septic tank is located is another important reason for homeowners to consider being more proactive about scheduling septic inspection and pumping services. When flooding occurs, debris, silt, and massive amounts of water may quickly inundate the septic system, filling the tank and swamping the attached drainfield.

Homeowners who experience any type of flooding will want to contact a reputable septic pumping service immediately to determine what will be needed to restore function to their septic system. In most cases, both the septic tank and the lift station will need to have a portion of their contents removed, but this must be done very carefully to prevent further damage from the movement of the tank and pipes due to the saturated soil conditions. 

Contact a septic tank pumping service near you to learn more.