It is important to ensure that it is the due time to pump out the septic tank. You don't want to waste your money when the waste layer is less than one-third of the septic tank capacity.

You can prepare for your septic tank pumping in USA by:

• Having the maintenance record in handy;
• Clean the area around the septic tank;
• Having the septic permit in handy
• The septic permit has a drawing of the septic system of the property.

This will provide you with a detailed description of the septic system components (e.g., size of the septic tank or drain field) and how many bedrooms does the septic system design permit - the design capacity.

What to do after you pump a septic tank is completely your responsibility. Here is a list of what to do after a septic tank is pumped:

• Arrange for a septic tank inspection once every three years;
• Arrange for a septic tank pumping every three to five years;
• Keep maintenance records;
• Keep track of the scum and sludge levels (According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency EPA, you need to pump out the septic tank if the bottom of the scum layer is within six inches of the bottom of the outlet, or if the top of the sludge layer is within 12 inches of the outlet);
• Only flush things that are septic-friendly;
• Never flush down coffee grounds, diapers, cooking oil, cigarettes, feminine products, cat litter, or chemicals. They could clog the septic system;
• Avoid using additives. They kill the bacteria that break down the wastewater;
• Use low-water consuming toilets and showerheads. That is because too much water flushes out the tank quickly;
• Don't overload your septic tank (expanding the house and overwhelming the septic system);
• Don't park or drive over the drain line. This can damage the pipes;
• Grow plants or trees far from the leach field. Their roots can do damage;
• Hire a septic inspector to come to your house and check for any problems or defects that need correction. According to the EPA, average household septic systems should be inspected at least once every three years by a professional septic inspector.

The duration of a septic tank pumping in USA service depends on the size of the septic tank and the pump capacity. It can take as little as 20-30 minutes for a tank size of 1000-1250 gallons. Or one hour or more for a septic tank size of 1500-2000 gallons.

During our septic inspection, we will learn whether or not you should arrange for a pump-out. However, pumping a septic tank before a septic inspection means that the drain field cannot be tested. This action may hide any issues the septic system may have.

What happens if you never pump your septic tank is that the solid waste or sludge keeps building up until it starts to exit the outlet baffle into the drain field. Or the water leaves the septic tank lid.

The cost of septic tank pumping starts at USD350 depending on the size of your septic tank and the location of the landfill. A landfill just outside town costs less to drive to than one that is 50 miles away.

How often to pump a septic tank depends on the size of the septic tank or the number of people living in a certain house. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, septic tanks are typically pumped every three to five years.

It boils down to the number of people occupying the house. If you have a 1000-gallon septic tank, you would need to arrange for a septic tank pumping:

• At least once every three years if it is a family of two persons;
• Once every year if it is eight people;
• Once every two years if it is a family of five.

There are many signs that your septic tank is full including:

• Slow draining or flushing problems;
• Unpleasant odors;
• Greener and wetter lawn over the septic system;
• Pools of water around your yard;
• Sewage backing up into your home;
• Pipes producing gurgling sounds

The sludge in your septic tank should be more than 18 inches from the tank outlet. Said differently, you can only have a septic tank pumping when the sludge is more than one-third the size of the septic tank.