When you have a busy schedule, it’s important to know how much time appointments require. Before scheduling a pump-out with Acme, one question you may be considering is, “How long does it take to pump a septic tank?” Find out how much time you need to set aside for this service!
It’s amazing how quickly the seasons seem to fly by. With the school year starting, families with children are probably busy with homework, sports practices, and other after-school activities. The hustle and bustle of life can make it challenging to work in extra appointments, including septic care services.
No matter how packed your schedule becomes, septic pump-outs are one service that you don’t want to pass up. These crucial services prevent septic problems such as clogs, backups, septic overflow, and breakdown. So, how long does it take to pump a septic tank? Acme Environmental Services has the answer!
What Is A Septic Pump-Out?
First off – what is a septic pump-out, and why is it so important? Whenever you flush a toilet in your home, use the sink, or take a shower, the waste and water that is produced flows through plumbing networks that lead to your septic tank. Once in the tank, biological processes break down solid waste matter. Following treatment in your septic tank, waste flows to your drain field where it is filtered. Finally, any remaining water returns to the earth.
Septic pump-outs remove solid and liquid waste that is left behind after the wastewater treatment process is complete. Without septic pump-outs, this waste would continue to build up and lead to unwanted septic issues such as clogs, breakdown, and environmental health risks.
Factors That Affect The Length Of A Septic Pump Out
When the tank was last pumped – The EPA recommends that septic tanks should be pumped once every 3-5 years. Even if your tank is pumped within the recommended time frame, the more time that goes by allows more septic waste to build up. This can include some unpleasant side-effects, like waste matter getting stuck on the interior of your septic tank, or compacted waste that is more challenging to remove.
The more frequently your tank is pumped, the less time it will take to complete the pump-out process.
Tank size – Common residential septic tanks range from about 1,000-2,500 gallons. The larger the tank size, the more time it will require to pump. 
Access to the tank – If your septic tank is located in an area that is more difficult to reach, is covered by overgrown brush, shrubs, or trees, the pump-out process can take longer.
Septic owners can improve access to their tanks by following guidelines for landscaping around septic systems and by adding septic risers.
Pump equipment – Pump-out equipment has come a long way from the hand pumps, buckets, and shovels that were used in the very earliest septic pump-out services. Today, septic companies use commercial equipment that simplifies and shortens the length of a pump-out. This equipment includes vacuum trucks, high-velocity sewer jets, clog-removal tools, specialized hoses, and safety gear.
Tank usage – If your home has many occupants, or has a small septic tank compared to the rate of usage, pump-outs may take longer due to the volume of waste.
Tank condition – If it’s been a while since your last pump-out, or you are dealing with clogs or backups, your pump-out will likely require a little more time to complete.
If the septic company on your side has well-trained technicians who understand all that’s involved in a septic pump-out, the service should only last between 30 minutes and one hour. That’s it! Even for those with an extremely busy schedule, a service so crucial yet so quick is one that shouldn’t be passed up.
Contact Acme For Efficient, Affordable Septic Pump-Outs
So, how long does it take to pump a septic tank? Whether your service takes 30 minutes or close to an hour, the experts from Acme will perform your pump-out efficiently without sacrificing quality.
Contact us today!