Contact a licensed septic pumper for the appropriate pumping frequency for your system. This chart provides estimates for pumping frequency; for example, if you have a 1,000-gallon tank with 4 people living at your home, you will need to pump your tank approximately once every 2 ½ years.

The average cost to pump a septic tank ranges between $225 and $600. Septic tank inspections range from $150–$450. Depending on the type of repair, you can expect to pay $600–$3,000.

In general, a septic tank should be inspected every 1 to 3 years and pumped every 3 to 5 years. The frequency of pumping the septic tank depends on the tank size, number of people in the household, habits of water use as well as the amount of solids accumulated in the tank.

Septic cleaning is similar to septic pumping, but with one key difference. Whereas septic pumping deals with sucking out solid and sludges floating on the top of the tank, septic cleaning happens when you drain all of the water and clean out everything stuck to the bottom of the tank.