If nothing seems wrong with your septic system—toilets are flushing, drains are running, and no weird smells—how do you know when you need to pump your septic tank? Ask yourself one question: has it been 3-5 years (or more) since your septic tank was pumped?
If you answered yes, your tank likely requires a pumping now. Extenuating circumstances do exist that might affect the frequency, but they are few and far between. You may need to pump your tank less often if your home has been vacant for a long period of time.
As a general rule, the chart below can help you determine if your tank is due for cleaning. Tank sizes usually correlate with the number of bedrooms in the home:
- 1 bedroom: 500 gallons
- 2 bedroom: 750-gallons
- 3 bedroom: 1000-gallons
- 4 bedroom: 1250-gallons
- 5 bedroom: 1500-gallons

If you still aren’t sure if your septic tank needs to be pumped, schedule a consultation with a local septic service company (like us!). One of our core values at Van Delden is to maintain honest and integrity with our customers. If someone calls us and requests a pumping, we will always let the customer know if the pumping is required or not. Sometimes the customer still prefers to have their tank pumped, but it’s our job to be honest about the tank’s actual state. We will never recommend a someone a service they don’t need. That’s our promise.
For 86+ years, Van Delden Wastewater Systems has withstood the test of time as the leading Wastewater System company, providing San Antonio, Boerne, and the surrounding Texas Hill Country with services you can count on now and in the future.
Call us for any of your wastewater systems needs and let our professionals help you with your septic installation and maintenance requirements.
Customer Reviews
Peter was personable, professional and thorough. Highly recommend Van Delden. You might be able to find a cheaper company but not better!
On time. 100% professional, knowledgeable, and courteous. Very helpful and straightforward. That is the bar all businesses should strive for.
It has been a pleasure working with your company. Not only did y’all communicate very well but your workers were always polite! Thank you!
“I thank Van Delden for such prompt service. Honest people are hard to come by these days. I will certainly recommend Van Delden to anyone! Jesse is an upstanding young man and very nice to talk to. I thank everyone at Van Delden for taking such good care of me.”
This is just a note to thank you for explaining the problem with my system. You didn’t have to be so kind and I appreciate your good business ethics and time spent. In the future you will have mine in return!