Ongoing maintenance and pumping are important for you to ensure your septic system lasts for as long as possible. We occasionally receive questions from potential clients wondering when the best time is for them to get service done on their septic tank, and the answer is just about always “now” if they haven’t prioritized maintenance in the past. But if you have an ongoing maintenance schedule already in place, it’s important to consider the best times of year to schedule septic tank pumping in Prior Lake, MN.
Here’s a quick overview of some of the most important considerations to keep in mind.
Seasonal outlook
Winter is generally the worst time of year to pump a septic tank, because the ground is frozen and it will be more difficult to access the tank. In addition, because the ground is frozen, it will be harder for your technician to cover the hole back up.
If you know your tank is getting full, it can be a good idea to pump it in the fall, before the holiday season, so you don’t run into problems while you have visitors. Otherwise, spring and summer are great times to schedule tank pumping. Spring is a particularly good time of year, as the larger amount of rainfall could cause troubles to your system if your tank is nearing capacity.
Frequency
When it comes to how often you should pump your tank, most people will be able to get away with scheduling septic tank pumping every three to five years, depending on some important factors. The size of your system is the most important consideration, but there are a couple other factors you’ll want to think about.
For example, the number of people in your household will influence your average waste and wastewater production. The more people in your household, the more waste will be generated. The types of cleaners you use could also influence your pumping schedule, as some chemicals could potentially alter the bacteria balance in your system, requiring you to pump more frequently. Your septic service provider can offer you more information and recommendations for your specific system.
Signs it’s time for pumping
Because it can be difficult to predict with a great deal of accuracy when you’re going to need to pump your tank next, you should be on the lookout for some of the most common signs indicating the time for pumping is getting near. Pooling water in your yard or extra grass growth over the system are signs your tank has reached capacity and may be starting to leak. Foul smells coming from your yard or drains backing up in your home could also be indicative of backups in your system, meaning it’s getting close to full.
These are just a few of the considerations to keep in mind when determining when you should schedule your next septic pumping appointment. For more information about summer septic tank pumping in Prior Lake, MN, contact the team at Mike’s Septic & McKinley Sewer Services today.