How Much Does Septic Tank Pumping Cost?

What is the average cost to have a septic tank pumped?

The terms septic tank cleaning and pumping are sometimes used interchangeably. Although these are similar in many respects, there are clear differences.

In simple terms, septic tank cleaning is a lot more thorough process than septic tank pumping.

For want of space and time, we won’t be dwelling much on distinguishing these terms. Rather, we’re more focused on providing you with information on septic tank pumping costs.

How much will it cost to have your septic tank pumped? If you’ve asked this question several, you’ll find all the answers you need right here.

Average Cost Of Septic Tank Pumping

Depending on where you live, the cost of having your septic tank pumped varies with location.

Nevertheless, the typical price range for this task ranges from $285 to $517. $400 is the national average. However, you’re likely to incur a pumping fee of $200 at the low end and as much as $1,000 at the high end.

Emergency pumping attracts more charges.

Apart from location, the size of your tank and other factors will determine the cost incurred. These and more will be covered as you read on.

• Cost of Septic Tank Pumping by Size

As stated earlier, the pumping cost for a septic tank will be determined by its size. So, how does this apply to your situation? You’ll need to know your tank’s capacity. Septic tank sizes vary greatly and are measured in gallons.

A 600 to 750-gallon tank will cost around $175 to $300 to empty or pump out. For an 800 to 1,000-gallon tank, the pumping cost is higher and starts from $225 to $400. Pumping costs climb further when emptying tanks with a capacity of around 1,250 to 1,500 gallons. Pumping costs for these ranges within the $275 to $500 mark.

Septic tanks holding about 1750 gallons and above costs around $3250 to $600+ to pump. As you can see, size plays a key role in determining pumping costs for septic tanks.

• Household Size

Households with smaller septic tanks will need to have them pumped more frequently. This translates to more pumping costs. However, the number of persons within such a household will determine if this happens.

In other words, homes with smaller septic tanks as well as fewer occupants won’t need frequent pumping. For a better understanding of how the number of people will determine pumping frequency and ultimately the cost of pumping let’s consider this;

It will take around 9 to 12 years to pump a septic tank measuring around 750 to 1,000 gallons for a home containing a single individual. Pumping frequency increases to around 3.5 to 8 years for a residence of 2 people having a tank measuring about 900 to 1,250 gallons

2 to 4 years is how long it will take for septic tanks with a size of around 1,000 to 1,500 gallons to be pumped (the number of people using it is between 4 to 5).

Additional Maintenance Services

Septic tank pumping is one of the essential maintenance services carried out every 3 to 5 years.

Now, there are other related septic care services such as jetting, septic tank and system inspection, field aeration effluent filter change as well as sewer line inspection.

Sometimes, in the course of having your tank inspected for pumping, the septic technician may discover additional maintenance issues that require attention. As such, you may end up not only paying to have your tank pumped but also fixing such problems. This increases your maintenance cost.

In the case of jetting, high pressured water is targeted at breaking up or loosening clogs resulting from solids which may be blocking channels for effluent. This costs around $150 to $400 to perform.

Field aeration costs from $1,000 to $2,000. While septic inspection costs ranges from $100 to $500.

Reducing Septic Tank Pumping Costs

The faster a septic tank gets filled up, the costs of pumping. Now, there are simple tasks that may seem insignificant but add up to significantly reduce septic tank pumping frequency.

The less frequent you have to pump your septic tank, the lesser the expenses you have to incur.

So, what are these cost-reducing actions? There are several; they include laundry, coffee ground waste, parking, grease, entertainment, and use of garbage disposal.

Sounds confusing right, let’s explain each of these.

• Laundry

You may want to start by creating a separate system where wastewater from laundry will be channeled to.

That way, your septic tank doesn’t easily get filled up. When too much water gets into the tank, it slows down the action of bacteria in breaking down waste fast enough.

• Coffee Ground Waste

A common practice with a significant number of households is the disposal of coffee ground down the drain. This finds its way into your septic tank and may result in damage.

As such, you won’t be only dealing with septic tank pumping but also face possible repair costs as well.

• Parking

This sounds vague, right? Well, it only does when it’s not followed with explanations.

Your drain field or leach field area should be kept free of anything heavy that will compress or compact the soil. Do not park your car on the leach field.

Doing so makes absorbing wastewater difficult.

This in turn takes its toll on your septic tank as less water is drained off. This backpressure means your tank gets filled up faster than usual, thus making you spend more on frequent septic tank pumping.

• Grease

One thing you should keep out of your septic tank is grease.

This means grease shouldn’t be poured down the drain. When grease is allowed to seep through, it creates a problem by clogging not only clogging your septic tank but also your drain creating additional repair costs.

• Entertainment

For buildings hosting social events, septic tanks within such locations will need to be pumped more frequently because these get filled up faster.

You’re left with the option of bearing the added septic tank pumping costs or having fewer people visit by canceling entertainment events.

• Garbage Disposal

Using your garbage disposal frequently adds to the frequent filling up of your septic tank. This activity adds to your pumping costs. The best action to take is to find alternative means of disposing of your waste.

Other effective and cost-saving garbage disposal methods include composting and recycling.

Septic tank pumping cost has been discussed with details provided on the likely expenses you’ll incur when having your tank cleaned.