Many people wonder if they really need to pay a professional to pump out their system every few years, especially if the toilets are still flushing just fine. However, waiting for a sign of trouble is usually a recipe for a very messy and expensive disaster that can ruin your weekend and your bank account.

The Pros of Staying Ahead

The primary reason to get your tank pumped is to protect the drain field. This is the network of pipes that filters water back into the earth. Inside your tank, heavy items, such as food scraps and waste, settle at the bottom to form a layer of sludge that builds up over time. If you never pump the tank, that sludge gets deeper until there’s no room left for the water to sit and clear up. Eventually, that solid gunk gets pushed out into your yard’s filtration pipes. Once those pipes are clogged with solid waste, they stop working entirely. When you spend money on a regular pumping service, you’re preventing a total system collapse.

The Cons of Septic Pumping

Of course, nobody enjoys handing over hundreds of dollars for something that feels like a chore. The process can be a headache. You’ll also have to find a local company and be present while they perform the job. Sometimes, you even have to dig up your own lawn to find the access lid. If you haven’t marked where your tank is, you might find yourself wandering around with a shovel while the clock is ticking on a service fee. Some homeowners feel that this is a lot of work for a system that’s currently doing its job without any complaints. You’re spending money now to prevent a problem in the future.

The Messy Reality of Waiting Too Long

If you decide to skip the pumping and your luck runs out, the results are usually messy and expensive. You might notice that your sinks start gurgling. You might find a soggy, smelly patch of grass in your yard that never seems to dry out. In the worst cases, sewage can back up into your lower-level showers or bathtubs. This creates a health hazard that requires significant cleanup. This happens because the tank is so full of solids that there’s simply nowhere else for the new waste to go. Fixing a failed drain field can cost thousands. This makes the pumping fee look like a bargain in comparison.

Look at how your family lives before you decide how often to call the pumper. A family of six with three teenagers who take long showers is going to fill up a tank much faster than a retired couple who live alone. Also, talk to a local expert who knows the soil in your area. Sandy soil and heavy clay handle wastewater in very different ways. If you live in Greensboro, NC or a surrounding area and need septic pumping services, make your first call to Billingsley & Brooks.