Septic Tank Pumping Cost: What to Expect and Budget For

Septic tank pumping cost will vary quite a bit, but keeping up with the regular maintenance of your system is essential in order to keep it running for longer. At Septic Tank Pros Flowery Branch, we cannot give fixed pricing online because every job will be slightly different. In fact, no company should ever give quotes without knowing the details and status of your system. With that said, we’ve put together this guide to help you better understand what’s involved, as well as some general information on what your total septic tank pumping cost may be.

Why Pump?

Your reservoir splits the wastewater that enters it into three layers.

Scum (toilet paper, oil, grease) floats to the top.

Sludge (waste, detergent) sinks to the bottom.

Effluent (liquid) remains in the middle.

Around half of the solids get broken down by bacteria in the reservoir and the effluent moves on to the leach field. The rest of the stuff in the tank has to be pumped out regularly or it can cause issues, such as clogging the leach field and backing up the system.

How Often to Budget for a Septic Tank Emptying Cost

Residences need to budget for a septic tank emptying cost roughly every 3-5 years. This depends on the size of the reservoir, how many people use the system, how long it has been since the last service, and whether things that add to the sludge layer are in use, like garbage disposals. Sometimes, home systems need service done every year.

Commercial and industrial reservoirs require service every few months. This is determined by the number of people using the system, as well as what’s being added to it. For instance, restaurants and hotels with a kitchen may need to have it done every 1-2 months,  but something like a retail store could probably space visits further apart.

Estimated Septic Tank Emptying Cost

The base septic tank emptying cost will vary based on how much needs to be removed.

• An average 1,000-1,500-gallon residential reservoir will generally run $200-400.

• A very small residential reservoir could cost as little as $100.

• A 2,500-gallon commercial/ industrial reservoir (or those that suit large families) will likely run between $600-800.

Additional Items on Top of Septic Tank Pumping Prices

No matter what company you go with, there may be additional things not included in the base septic tank pumping prices.

Digging: If your system doesn’t have risers, the access ports will have to be excavated. This cost varies based on how difficult the soil is, but it will usually run $100 or less.

Filter: The outlet from the reservoir to the leach field has a filter on it. If this needs to be replaced, it will likely be $200-300.

Inspection: A comprehensive inspection typically runs between $100-200.

Disposal Fee: You may also see a disposal fee on your bill. Depending on where the facility is and how the waste is processed, it can be anywhere from $25-100.

Call Septic Tank Pros Flowery Branch to Get Your Septic Tank Pumping Cost

Your septic tank pumping cost might be a little higher or lower than the numbers outlined here. If you’d like to receive a custom estimate or schedule service, Call us at (470) 798-3733 today.