How often must a cesspool be pumped?

So the plumber is telling me it should be done every few years - which sounds too often to me. Everyone homeowner I ask either says they NEVER had it pumped, or that it was pumped 10 or more years ago and is still fine now. I know ours hasn't been pumped in at least 9 years but I'm trying to see what is the norm before I spend so much money every few years!

Re: How often must a cesspool be pumped?

Message edited 11/25/2011 6:35:17 PM.

Re: How often must a cesspool be pumped?

You more than likely have a cesspool system, not a septic system as described in the post above.

Depends on how old the system is. If its older and made of cinder block, it's probably near its useful life (40 years they say) and the function of it will slowly begin to degrade over time. Our pools are nearing 50 years old and are original to the house, and we have to pump them every 3 years (we get back up in the shower downstairs ).

We know we need to replace them soon, since repeated pumping will undermine the soil and make them prone to collapse.

Newer pools are made of precast concrete rings, which will last much longer since they are one solid piece.

I've worked a long time in the engineering field, so any questions you have, you can shoot me a FM.

Message edited 4/12/2011 9:51:17 PM.

Re: How often must a cesspool be pumped?

Two years ago, I had a system put it that is designed for 28 people living in my house (there's only 4 of us in the house), so I don't plan on doing any pumping for a LOOONNGGGG time....

@#^@$% building codes....

Re: How often must a cesspool be pumped?

I just had our pumped two months ago we are going off of that as our time line I will keep ya posted when it needs to be done again!! Our cesspool guy told us if you notice your drains not working right and you need to be pumped yearly then there is an issue

Re: How often must a cesspool be pumped?

We had it pumped 3 or 4 years ago, but Lord only knows when or if the previous owners ever did it. The company that did it told DH and I since it was just the two of us, put RidX in the toilet once per month and we shouldn't have to have it pumped.

Knock wood we've been great ever since.

Re: How often must a cesspool be pumped?

Our cesspool collapsed last year. We were having it pumped every year or so, but it was 30 + years old and just time to have it replaced.

We filled that cesspool and had a new septic tank put in - We will never fill it in our lifetime. Anyway.... They told us to have our new septic tank 'pumped' every five years.

Re: How often must a cesspool be pumped?

I don't think they should have to be pumped regularly. My parents had issues with theirs so it was pumped probably once a year, but then they replaced it a few years ago and haven't had to since.

I think it depends on age and use. Mine was tested before we bought the house two years ago (as it sat vacant the bank required it) and it was in good working order. We haven't had any problems either, but it's juts two of us and we don't have a dishwasher and only do a load or two of laundry per week.