{"id":27713,"date":"2021-11-09T08:06:21","date_gmt":"2021-11-09T16:06:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/?p=27713"},"modified":"2026-04-03T09:10:53","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T16:10:53","slug":"how-much-does-it-cost-to-pump-a-septic-tank","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.homelight.com\/blog\/how-much-does-it-cost-to-pump-a-septic-tank\/","title":{"rendered":"How Much Does it Cost to Pump Your Septic Tank? (And Ways to Reduce Your Bill)"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you have a septic system, sewage and wastewater drains from your home to an underground tank where it is treated and dispersed into the ground. Microorganisms (commonly called bacteria, although this includes protozoa, fungi, and other microbes) that develop naturally in the tank, digest and break down the organic matter. To help these microorganisms keep up with the sewage in your septic tank, every few years, you\u2019ll pay around $450 to have your tank emptied, or pumped.<\/p>\n

But if you own a home, are buying a home, or will be selling a home with a septic system, flushing out other important details can make your head swirl. How do you know when to pump, when NOT to pump, who should pump, how to reduce pumping frequency and save money?<\/p>\n

To provide you with expert information, we talked to Jeff Lyons of R&L Septic<\/a> in Springfield, Illinois, and top real estate agent Sandi Van Camp<\/a> of Hunt Real Estate in New York, where she works with over 82% more single family homes than the average Canandaigua agent.<\/p>\n

Table of contents<\/b><\/p>\n

What\u2019s in your septic tank and how it works<\/a>
\nWhy you need to pump septic (and how often)<\/a>
\nDifferent tanks (What type of tank do I have?)<\/a>
\nHow much it costs to empty your tank<\/a>
\nAdditional considerations (Costs for repair and maintenance services)<\/a>
\nHow to know when your tank needs to be pumped<\/a>
\nHow to reduce pumping frequency<\/a>
\nShould you use bacterial drain cleaners and septic solutions?<\/a>
\nWhat to expect from a septic tank pump service<\/a>
\nHow you can cut expenses on your septic pumping service<\/a>
\nWhen a septic tank should NOT be pumped<\/a>
\nWhere to find a reputable septic service to pump your tank<\/a>
\nHow septic system and tank condition affect resale value<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Soil<\/a>
Source: (<\/a>Markus Spiske \/ Unsplash)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What\u2019s in your septic tank and how it works<\/h2>\n

As it breaks down, the sewage<\/a> in your tank separates into three layers. Solids settle to the bottom in a layer called sludge. Oil and grease form the top layer, which is called scum. The layer between the sludge and scum is a liquid called effluent. Effluent is pre-treated wastewater that drains out of the tank into a shallow drainfield. Highly toxic methane gas rises to fill the space at the top of the tank.<\/p>\n

A T-shaped outlet pipe in the tank prevents solids and scum from entering the laterals, which are perforated pipes that extend away from the tank below ground. Effluent is dispersed into porous materials (such as gravel or sand) which filters it before it percolates through the soil. <\/a>Soil microorganisms treat the pre-treated wastewater as it percolates through the drainage field. A sturdy layer of geothermal fabric protects the drainfield (also called a leach field or cesspool) from ground contaminants and pests.<\/p>\n

Why you need to pump septic (and how often)<\/h2>\n

To keep your septic system<\/a> in top condition, and prevent clogs that can damage laterals and cause sewage to back up into your home, you need to have your septic tank pumped every 3-5 years, <\/b>or when sludge takes up more than one-third of the volume of your tank.<\/p>\n

According to Van Camp, oftentimes you won’t have issues with a septic tank if you pump every three to five years. It’s scary when a homeowner says \u201cI haven’t pumped my system in ten years.\u201d As sludge settles to the bottom of the tank, the holding capacity of the tank is diminished. Clogs and backups occur if sludge reaches the T-shaped outlet. In addition, a full tank may cause methane and hydrogen gases to escape into your home.<\/p>\n

As the sludge builds up, it becomes increasingly difficult for the microorganisms to break it down. Emptying the tank helps the microorganisms to catch up and keep your tank functioning properly. Microorganisms live in a perfectly balanced ecosystem (biome or colony), which can be disrupted, imbalanced, and even killed by household chemicals and inorganic materials that they can\u2019t break down.<\/p>\n

An imbalanced ecosystem cannot properly break down sewage and your tank will overfill with sludge and scum until it clogs and overflows into your yard and your home.<\/p>\n

Factors that increase how often you should have your septic pumped:<\/p>\n