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How often you need to pump your tank depends on the size of your tank and how many people live in your home. The average recommended frequency is every three to five years. However, your tank may need more or less frequent pumpings than that. For example, a single person with a 1,000-gallon septic tank may only need to pump it every nine to 12 years, while a five-person family with the same sized tank may need to pump it every two to four years.

The best time of year to pump a septic tank is spring because the ground is thawed and snowmelt and rainfall can help with proper drainage. Having your septic tank pumped before the summer months is ideal to avoid conflicting with vacations and outdoor summer gatherings. Fall is also a great time to pump your septic tank, and it can be less busy for contractors than the spring.

Yes, you can pump a septic tank too much. The ideal pumping schedule varies based on capacity, water usage, and household size. If you pump the septic tank more frequently than your recommended pumping schedule, the beneficial bacteria can leach into the drain field, causing an imbalance and solid waste build-up.

On average, you should call a pro to pump your cesspool once per year. If you have a larger home with a lot of family members, you may need to pump more (up to six times per year). On the flip side, if you’re talking about a cesspool for a home you don’t use much or if you’re the only occupant in a home, you won’t have to pump nearly as much.