Out of sight. Never out of mind.

Every 3–5 years for most households. Florida’s sandy soil drains fast, but a high water table leaves less margin for error — larger households, garbage disposals, and heavy laundry use all shorten the interval. If you don’t know your last pump date, start with an inspection.

Slow drains throughout the house, sewage odors inside or out, gurgling pipes, unusually lush grass or soggy spots over the drain field, and wastewater backing up into tubs or toilets. Any of these deserve a prompt inspection — small problems become yard replacements.

There is no statewide mandate for routine inspections of existing systems, but most real-estate transactions include one, and county health departments require permits for repairs and replacements. If you’re buying a home on septic in the Jacksonville area, get the inspection before closing.

Tank size and access (is the lid buried, and how deep?), the condition of the baffles and drain field, soil and water-table conditions at your lot, and whether county permits are required. A straightforward pump-out is the least expensive service; drain-field replacement is the most. A site visit gives you a fixed written scope.

No. Compacting the soil crushes pipes and ruins percolation, and structures block the access needed for future service. Keep vehicles, sheds, pools, and deep-rooted trees off the field — and know where your field is before any landscaping project.

Grease and cooking oil, “flushable” wipes, feminine products, coffee grounds, harsh chemical drain cleaners, and excess bleach. Your tank is a living bacterial system — anything that kills bacteria or won’t break down ends up as sludge or a clogged drain field.