The short answer
Every 3 to 5 years for most homes. Bigger families, smaller tanks, and garbage disposals push you toward 2 to 3 years.
Pump schedule by tank size
| Tank size | 1–2 people | 3–4 people | 5–6 people |
|---|---|---|---|
| 750 gal | 3–4 yrs | 2 yrs | 1 yr |
| 1,000 gal | 5 yrs | 3 yrs | 2 yrs |
| 1,250 gal | 6 yrs | 4 yrs | 2–3 yrs |
| 1,500 gal | 7 yrs | 5 yrs | 3 yrs |
General guideline. A pumper's sludge measurement tells you your real schedule.
What changes the schedule
Garbage disposal: plan to pump about a year sooner.
Guests and rentals: more people means faster filling.
Water softeners and big laundry days: lots of water at once stirs up solids.
Older or small tanks (under 1,000 gallons): pump more often.
Don't know when it was last pumped?
Then it's due. Pumping is cheap insurance. Ask the pumper to note the sludge level, and you'll know the right schedule for your house from then on.
Need a pump-out?
Call (916) 494-8868 or send the quote form. We serve 22 towns across Northern Nevada.
Spanish SpringsCold SpringsLemmon ValleyGolden ValleyWashoe ValleyPalomino ValleySun ValleySouth Reno & Pleasant ValleyRenoSparksCarson CityJohnson LaneRuhenstrothGardnervilleMindenGenoaDaytonMound HouseSilver SpringsStagecoachFernleyTruckee