3 Factors That Can Affect The Cost Of Septic Pumping Services
If your household relies on a septic tank to handle waste, you understand how important your septic system is to the safety and comfort of your home. Septic tanks must be pumped out regularly to prevent overfilling. Homeowners can shy away from scheduling a pump-out because of the costs associated with this service. The worst thing you can do for the health of your septic system is to put off a regular pump-out.
Learn more about the factors that can affect the cost of septic pumping services so that you will be prepared to tackle this mandatory maintenance task whenever the need arises.
1. Septic Tank Size
One of the most influential factors in determining how much it will cost to clean out your septic tank is the size of the tank itself. Unless you installed the septic tank yourself, you may not be aware of the size of the tank. A quick trip to your local permitting office will allow you to access the original permit issued for the septic tank on your property. This permit will indicate the tank size.
A larger tank will cost more to pump because it contains a higher volume of waste that will need to be disposed of properly. A tank that is too small can also be costly because the tank will need to be pumped more frequently. Be sure that your tank is sized appropriately to help minimize pump-out costs over time.
2. Water Usage
Another factor that can impact the cost of septic tank pumping services is your household's water usage. The more water that you use, the faster your tank will fill up. A tank that is filling at a rapid rate will need to be pumped out more frequently than planned, resulting in a higher accumulated pump-out cost.
Your family should conserve water whenever possible. Upgrade to water-saving fixtures, turn off the water when brushing teeth or soaping hands, and only wash large loads of laundry to help minimize water usage in your home. These simple changes will help you keep your pumping costs as low as possible over time.
3. Repairs
When a septic company pumps out your tank, they will also complete an inspection of the septic system to ensure everything is working properly. It's not uncommon for a technician to uncover damaged components that need to be repaired during the course of a tank pump-out.
The severity of these repairs will impact the total cost of your pump-out service, so it's best to plan for additional costs when obtaining price estimates for pumping services.