You only need to pump a septic every 10-12 yrs!

[Stephen]

I'm hearing this more and more from people in the industry (not pumpers).

My experiences as pumper in this area of the country says this is a dangerous standard to set.

What say you?

[hockeyologist]

Most 1000 gallon two compartment tanks need to be pumped every 3 to 5 years to remove sludge build up . A $ 3,000 dollar field line replacement usally is the result of " Not Cleaning " the tank for many years and neglect. My moto is pay me a small fee now or pay big dollars later, its your choice!!!! Thanks ....................:

[Stephen]

Thanks for the reply Hockeyologist. I've been asked to give a presentation at the Utah Onsite Wastewater Associations 2008 conferance addressing proper maintenance. The idea that proper maintenance involves pumping your tank every 10-12 years is becoming a standard that many designers and installers are starting to spread and I will deffinitly be met with some resistance, and probably have some guys that just ignore me. I've got some good picture to help out, but I'm still just one small company. I was hopeing to get more response from other pumpers as to what they've found.

Everything I've learned in the short 7 years I've been pumping tanks tells me this is a dangerous standard to set. We as pumpers need to get our voice out as to what were experiencing in the real world. Were the one who get called when the system fails after 5+ years not the installer or designer. Most people in my area have no clue who the designed or installed the system.

If your a pumper designer or installer please give a quick reply as to what you've found. I'd like to use them in my presentation.

Thanks

[JPG]

I tell all my customers to ask there local health department how often a tank should be pumped they will tell you every 2 to 3 years

[Stephen]

Our health dept. says 3 to 5 which I think is usually good. The problem is that there are a growing number of manufactures, designers, installers, and even regulators that are suggesting 10 to 12. I'm not quite sure why this is, but I think it's dangerous.

During a Association conference I attended last year there was a discussion about a new housing development that the state approved. The system will be a STEP/STEG system with each home having a septic tank, but the effluent will be treated at a centralized location. I like this idea, but the problem is, the designer of the system used the figure of $300 each pump done at 10 to 12 years to estimate long term costs of maintenance. For one thing, the price of pumping has doubled in the last five years in this area, who knows what it will be in 10 years, especially if they wait until it's completely full of solids.

[little can]

Let me tell you about 10-12 year pump outs. we pumped out one last year that had not been pumped out in 11 years. it was so solid my 285# brother stood on top of it!! It took 2 hours to pump it out, with backflushing, water hoses etc!!!

[jack darling]

I have been in the pumping business for 40 years. I have my customers clean their septic tanks at least every 3 years. I have many annual and 2 year scheduled jobs. I guarantee my customer's systems will pass any inspection when the time comes to sell their property. If a system fails, the new system that may end up getting installed may cost over $40,000. In MA.To make matters worse, I have seen some of the new systems fail in less than 2 yeras. I live in a state where they approve gluing bridges together, so what do you expect? 95 per cercent of the bacteria action takes place in the soil absorbation system, and the liquid going out of the tank will be treated very well if the tank is cleaned out often enough based on usage. Many factors determine how long a tank should go before being cleaned. To my knowledge, I am the olny pumper in my state that has not had one single customer have a system fail an inspection when the time came to sell their property. My customers would rather pay a small price to keep their systems working properly, than be forced to install a new system.

[jason]

The great state of North Carolina took care of that problem for us. All systems have a filter on them now. They are a great thing for pumpers and home owners as well. Depending on use they will start to clog after 2 years. Then there is no doubt it needs to be pumped out.

[Trent]

Nice! Now if we can get Oregon on the same page!