If you own a septic tank, it is essential you regularly clean and pump out your tank to ensure it can continue to function as required and does not become blocked or damaged. It can be difficult for homeowners in Australia to know how often they should get their septic tank pumped out. In this guide, we explain everything you need to know about how often to pump and clean a septic tank.

How often should you pump and clean a septic tank?

As a general rule of thumb, septic tanks that are between 1600 - 4000 litres should be pumped every 2 - 4 years. This frequency can change, however, based on the following factors.

• How many people live in your household - As you may suspect, the higher the number of people in your household, the faster your septic tank will fill up. 
• The amount of wastewater generated - You can calculate how much wastewater your household generates based on the number of people living in your house and the amount of water they use.
• What is being flushed - If members of your household flush items such as baby wipes or sanitary products that can cause blockages in a septic tank, your tank will need to be emptied and cleaned more regularly. 
• The size/type of the tank - Naturally, a larger tank will require pumping and cleaning less frequently than a smaller tank. Even if you have a large tank, however, it is essential you consider the above factors as if you have a large household you may need to empty your tank as regularly as a smaller model.

If you are in doubt about how often your septic tank needs to be pumped and cleaned, contact our professional team at Wet Waste. We offer septic tank cleaning services and will be able to advise you how frequently to pump your tank based on your tank size and household.

How to find out when a septic tank is full?

There are a few signs that indicate your septic tank is full, such as…

• A pool of water above your septic tank
• An unpleasant odour coming from your septic tank
• Slow drains and flushing
• Loud/gurgling pipes

What happens if you don't pump a septic tank?

If you neglect to pump and clean your septic tank when required sludge and scum, which is unable to be drained, can build up and cause blockages in your tank. Sludge will continue to build up and enter your drain field, causing a bio-mat to be formed. Bio mats block absorption and create costly repairs for your septic tank. Failure to pump your tank puts your household at a sanitary risk as waste will be forced to decompose in your pipes.

Contact Wet Waste today

If you would like more information about how frequently to pump and drain your septic tank, contact Wet Waste today. We're an experienced and professional company serving the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Redlands, Logan and Ipswich Shires.