While you might treat your sewage system as if it is out of sight and out of mind, having a septic tank makes it impossible to do so. While the system does an excellent job at taking care of your waste, there will come a time when it needs to be pumped.

The question is – when?

Most homeowners do not want to pop the lid on their septic tank every now and then to see how it is looking, and there is usually little reason to do so, but if you ignore it for too long, you could have an expensive problem on your hands. This is why it is recommended to have an inspector come out and look at the system every few years.

When it comes to the question of how often your septic system needs to be pumped, the answer depends on several factors – the size of the tank, the number of people in the home, whether or not you have a garbage disposal, how often you have guests, and even on your diet. There are some averages that can help you, however.

The typical size of the septic tank for a home that is around 2,000 square feet is 1000 gallons. If you have 4 people living in the home, it is recommended that you pump the tank every 3 years or so.

If you want to look up your specific situation, there is a chart available at Inspectapedia.