If you are experiencing things like toilets draining slowly or foul smells emanating from your pipes, the answer for when you should look into getting a septic system inspection is: right now. At the point where you start experiencing negative side effects from an overloaded septic tank, it is highly recommended you take action sooner rather than later to avoid making those problems worse.
However, if you want to make sure you never get to that point, how do you know when to get a septic system inspection for best results?
Maybe unsurprisingly, there is no one set time. Septic tank maintenance is an ongoing process, and so you should be aiming to have regular septic tank inspections throughout the course of your ownership of the property. Through regular inspections, we will be able to catch and fix any concerns that might arise before they can grow into full-blown problems.
Depending on the size of your septic tank and how many people are on your property using it, your needs for inspections and pumping will vary. However, the general wisdom is that you should plan to have your septic tank inspected once every three to five years. If you have a smaller than average septic tank or a larger than average amount of people on your plot of land, you may want to schedule these inspections more frequently. Conversely, if you have an exceptionally large septic tank and/or only one or two people on your property, it is likely that you may be able to go a bit longer between septic system inspections.
For more insight on your specific situation, you can reach out to us during our posted business hours.