The mean septic tank pumping cost is around $420, and the majority of individuals pay between 291 and 561 dollars. Pumping of septic tanks is not a pleasant exercise, but one thing that you should at least do every three to five years, so that your system can run in proper order and you do not have to deal with an ugly (and bad-smelling) pile of waste in your backyard. This article aims to provide insights into what you will pay to pump it.
Factors Affecting The Cost of Septic Tank Pumping
The size and usage are the two key elements that determine the cost of pumping a septic tank. Smaller tanks and tanks that are used more frequently will require being pumped more frequently.
Size
Pumping a 600-gallon septic tank (a tank for one toilet) can cost as low as 250 and pumping a 2000-gallon septic tank can cost 700-1000 dollars and above. Septic tanks that are the most frequent are the ones that are moderately sized, averaging at 1,000 to 1,500 gallons in size.
The following is a list of the cost of pumping in a septic tank, depending on size:
| Septic Tank Size | Average Cost |
| 750 gallons | $250–$550 |
| 1,000 gallons | $325–$700 |
| 1,250 gallons | $375–$900 |
| 1,500 gallons | $450–$1,100 |
| 1,750 gallons | $550–$1,250 |
Usage
Tanks that are heavily used will have to be pumped more frequently. To put that into perspective, when you regularly consume high amounts of water or drop your food in the garbage disposal, you will have to pump your septic tank more frequently. Conversely, the bigger the septic tank, the longer it takes to fill up, and consequently, the less it has to be pumped.
Pumping Frequency
The septic pump-out cost may increase tremendously when property owners fall behind by not having a tank pumped every three to five years.
Failure to pump a tank at the right time will lead to solids accumulating until the holding capacity of a tank is reduced, leading to a clog. The average is 1830 USD, but it may cost between 165 and 6500 USD.
In larger households, tanks are to be pumped more often. It should also be pumped regularly when your house has a garbage disposal, you keep guests more often, or when you tend to pour drastic cleaning solutions down the pipes of your house.
The following is the frequency with which you need to pump your septic tank, depending on the size of the tank:
| Septic Tank Size | Home Size | Average Pumping Frequency |
| 500 gallons | 1 bedroom | 5 years |
| 750 gallons | 2 bedrooms | 5 years |
| 1,000 gallons | 3 bedrooms | 3 years |
| 1,250 gallons | 4 bedrooms | 3 years |
| 1,500 gallons | 5 bedrooms | 2 to 3 years |
| 1,750 gallons | 6+ bedrooms | 2 years |
Seasonality
There are also periods of the year when the demand for septic tank services may be high in some regions with extreme winters, and hence, different prices.
During winter, when there is a lot of snow and ice falling in your location, it is not advisable to book a septic tank pumping. The ground is frozen and slippery, which makes it harder to reach your tank with the equipment, thereby adding to the cost of labor and equipment.
Septic system pumping and checking are most popular during spring when homeowners are having their systems pumped. The demand can be high, which may lead to a high price. When you do not have too much gas in your tank, try to book during the summer or early fall when it is not so in demand.
Access to Tank
When your septic tank is at a location that is difficult to access, like a deck or on a hilly slope, then it may complicate the situation and make it costly. Likewise, buried tanks will be more difficult to recover and pump, and therefore it will be prudent to set aside a higher pumping cost.
Price to Empty a Septic Tank by Location
The location of the property influences the cost of a septic tank pump-out. In addition to the fact that costs differ depending on the geographical location, property owners must also take into consideration the fact that there are differences in prices between rural and urban areas when they expect their bills for septic tank service. Pumping in the septic tanks is more expensive in the populated regions than in the rural regions since it involves the difficulty of manoeuvring equipment to access the tank.
Nonetheless, the prices of pumping a septic tank may be highly differentiated among cities. The cost of pumping a tank in Minneapolis is an average of 175 to 275 and the same service in Portland, Oregon, would cost up to 750.
A breakdown of the costs of the septic tank pumping is as follows:
| Location | Average Cost |
| Portland, OR | $440–$750 |
| Boise, ID | $250–$440 |
| Denver, CO | $260–$350 |
| Little Rock, AR | $260–$510 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $360–$600 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $175–$275 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $245–$320 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $245–$435 |
| Concord, NH | $255–$330 |
| Long Island, NY | $275–$515 |
Why You Should Hire a Septic Tank Pumping Professional
The advantages of employing an expert are not limited to the possession of the necessary gear to carry out the task, and include:
- Disposing of the waste in a proper way.
- Proper licensing of work done and insurance.
- Having the necessary trucks and pumps.
- Knowledge of digging in case there is some portion of the system that requires unearthing.
- Can check your tank for possible damage.
- Prolongs your septic system by several years.
- Makes sure that your drainage field is not ruined during the pumping process.
A few Ways to Reduce Septic Tank Cleaning Price
You do not have to spend more money pumping your septic tank than what is needed. There are ways of maintaining septic tanks that can save your money in the pumping budget without neglecting this important activity.
- Do not pour the chemicals down the drain. In case you believe that your tank is in need of some extra assistance, contact a professional to do it.
- Do not park or drive cars or heavy machinery over your leach field.
- Pumping the tank is not necessary too often, but you should keep your pumping schedule.
Conclusion
The average septic tank pumping cost varies depending on several factors, including the size and location of the tank, and the way it is used. Since this is not a DIY project, you will need to seek professional assistance to safely perform it. Contact Independent Plumbing & Drain Care today for any queries or to schedule your service with the industry experts.
FAQs
How does a septic tank work?
They receive the wastewater from your house bathtubs, sinks, toilets, and washing machines. The wastewater is directed into a tank sunk underground outside your home, and water is drained out of the tank into a drainage field with sloping pipes.
What causes septic tank odor?
Odors of the septic tank may occur due to various problems, including a full tank, blocked drains or blocked venting systems.
What is the indication of a full septic tank?
The indicationsof a full septic tank are a few obvious ones. A few of the usual signs of a full tank include slow draining, pooling of water around the tank, and gurgling pipes. When sewage is overflowing into your house, it is a great indicator that your septic tank is overly full and needs to be emptied as soon as possible.
What is the frequency of pumping the septic tank?
The frequency of the need to pump your tank is determined by the size of your tank and the number of individuals in your house. The recommended frequency range, on average, is three to five years.
