Pumping is the one job every septic tank needs on a schedule. Solids that settle to the bottom of the tank (sludge) and the grease and light material floating on top (scum) build up a little every day. If they're left long enough, they slip out of the tank and into the drain field lines, and a field clogged with solids is a far bigger bill than a pump-out. Here's what to know before you book one in Huntsville, Madison, Athens, Guntersville or anywhere in between.
How often to pump
The Alabama Department of Public Health tells homeowners to have a licensed technician clean the tank and its effluent filter every three to five years, and to have the tank looked at yearly. The EPA gives the same three-to-five-year range for a typical household and says the real interval depends on four things:
- Household size. More people means more solids. EPA puts indoor water use in a typical home at about 70 gallons per person per day.
- Total wastewater. A running toilet alone can send up to 200 gallons a day into the tank, stirring it and pushing solids out sooner.
- What goes down the drains. ADPH says a garbage disposal raises the solids in a tank by about 50 percent, so homes that use one need pumping more often.
- Tank size. A bigger tank holds more sludge before it reaches the outlet.
The measurements that actually decide it
Rather than going by the calendar alone, a pumper or inspector can measure the layers. EPA says the tank is due when any one of these is true:
| Measurement | Pump when |
|---|---|
| Bottom of the scum layer | Within 6 inches of the bottom of the outlet |
| Top of the sludge layer | Within 12 inches of the outlet |
| Sludge plus scum together | More than 25% of the tank's liquid depth |
What should happen on pumping day
- Finding the lids. Alabama's current rules require risers at least 18 inches across over the inlet and outlet of new tanks, with watertight covers that can't be opened by just anyone. Older tanks often have buried lids. If you don't know where yours are, the county health department's Approval for Use for the house includes a diagram of the installation.
- Pumping the tank out through the access openings, sludge and all.
- Cleaning the effluent filter. The state rules call for a filter meeting NSF Standard 46 on the outlet side of the tank, and ADPH recommends adding one at the next pumping if your tank doesn't have one.
- Looking things over. EPA says the service provider should check for leaks, note the scum and sludge levels, and write repairs and tank condition into a service report. Keep that report with your house records.
Tell us the town and the trouble, and we will put you through to a licensed septic contractor. (256) 692-6131
What a pumper can and can't fix
An AOWB pumper's license covers pumping and servicing tanks, including replacing lids, repairing or replacing risers, replacing tees and filters, and cleaning filters. It does not cover installing pumps. If the pumper finds a failed pump, a cracked tank that needs replacing, or a field that's flooding, that work goes to a licensed installer, and anything beyond maintenance runs through the county health department. See septic repair and pump and alarm service.
Between pump-outs
- Skip septic additives. ADPH says the bacteria a tank needs are already in household sewage, and additives can stir up solids that then clog the drain field. They don't replace pumping.
- Keep grease, wipes, paper towels, coffee grounds, kitty litter, paint, medicines and harsh chemicals out of the drains.
- Spread laundry across the week and fix running toilets and dripping faucets.
- Never climb into or lean into a septic tank. ADPH warns that the gases inside can kill.
What pumping costs
The contractor sets the price, and it depends on things like tank size, how hard the lids are to reach, and whether a filter or riser needs work. Ask for the full price, and what's included, before the truck starts.
FAQ
How often should a septic tank be pumped in Alabama?
ADPH says every three to five years for the tank and its effluent filter, with a yearly look at the tank. Big households, garbage disposals and small tanks shorten that.
Is septic tank cleaning the same as pumping?
Yes, people use the two terms for the same job: removing the sludge and scum from the tank. A proper visit also cleans the effluent filter.
Do I need to be home for pumping?
Not always, as long as the contractor can get to the lids and the yard. Ask when you book, and point out the lids or the health department diagram if you have it.
Can a pumper replace a broken lid or riser?
Yes. An Alabama pumper license covers replacing lids, repairing or replacing risers, and replacing tees and filters. Installing a pump takes an installer license.