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I hope to provide you with a simple but informed answer to this question and perhaps also provide a different perspective for the whys and wherefore’s of septic tank pumping. Septic tank pumping can best be viewed as preventive maintenance. While the septic tank, in a “standard septic system,” seems to get all the attention it is not the working end of the sewage treatment system. The leachfield is actually performing the major work of absorbing the liquid waste generated by the household. Of course the volume of the free liquid being discharged into the system is many times that of the solids. The leachfield’s capacity to perform the work of absorbing the liquid is protected by pumping the septic tank before the solid waste begins to overflow the solids compartment in the tank and enter the leachfield.

In cases where the tank pumping is delayed until the system fails it’s possible the leachfield can be rendered inoperable. That repair or replacement can be costly, inconvenient and preventable. Therefore pumping the tank before a plumbing problem develops is the goal. Most modern concrete septic tanks are constructed with a dividing wall creating two compartments. The first compartment in line from the house will capture the solids and the second compartment helps to provide a clear liquid buffer, between the solids compartment and the leachfield, while maintaining the water level as it passes through the tank. The solid waste that enters the home is divided into two types. The floating component, often called scum, and the sinking component, often called sludge. The goal of pumping is to insure that the level of these 2 solids never reach the point that they discharge into the liquid side of the tank and subsequently enter the leachfield. While in reality it’s not necessary to pump both sides of the tank, including the water, it is common practice and serves an additional valuable function in allowing the pump service technician to visually inspect the tank for possible tree roots or possible piping problems.

Some Environmental Health Departments in California are requiring an inspection report as a part of the septic tank pumping. All things considered, for a family of 4, pumping the tank every 4 to 5 years on average could be considered a reasonable schedule. I’ve seen systems fail in less time and I’ve seen systems serve 25 years before there were problems, but some form of scheduled inspection and or pumping is cheap insurance.

Finally to recap here are some thoughts to keep in mind:

• Review the property records for the date of the last pumping. If it’s been over 4 or 5 years check the tank or have the tank checked or pumped. This is just cheap insurance.

• Use this opportunity to inspect the condition of the tank for tree roots or cracks that can cause problems later.
  
• Be aware that septic odors and unseasonably wet areas near the leachfield are not
  normal for a properly functioning septic system. So have issues like this checked out.

• Preventative maintenance prevents repairs.