Beyond a pump-out
Septic tank cleaning
Pumping empties the tank. Cleaning deals with what pumping leaves behind, and with the filter and baffles that quietly decide whether the tank works at all.
A pump-out removes liquid and the bulk of the solids. What it does not necessarily address is the compacted sludge layer, the effluent filter on the outlet, and the inlet and outlet baffles. A blinded outlet filter is one of the most common reasons a tank that was pumped a month ago is already backing up, and it is a fifteen minute job to check.
We handle the tank cleaning and the lines either side of it, and coordinate the pumping and hauling with a licensed contractor so both halves happen on the same visit rather than becoming two visits and two trip charges.
Signs the tank needs attention
- Backing up again shortly after a pump-out
- Gurgling across several fixtures at once
- Odor near the tank or drainfield
- No record of the outlet filter ever being cleaned
- Three or more years since the last service
What we service
- Sludge and scum layers left after pumping
- The effluent filter on the tank outlet
- Inlet and outlet baffle condition
- The inlet line from the house and the outlet to the field
Check the filter first
If you were pumped recently and it is already backing up, the outlet filter is the most likely culprit and by far the cheapest thing to eliminate. Ask about it before anyone sells you a second pump-out.
Straight answers
Questions about septic tank cleaning
How often should a septic tank be serviced?
Commonly every three to five years, but it depends heavily on tank size and how many people use it. A large tank serving two people goes far longer than a small tank serving six. Records beat rules of thumb every time.
Do you pump the tank yourselves?
Pumping and hauling is a licensed disposal service, so we coordinate it with a contractor and handle the cleaning, the filter and the lines. You get both halves on one visit rather than paying two trips.
Related
You might also need
Flat rate, quoted before we start
Let's get it flowing
Call and talk to a person. You get a straight answer on what it is, what it costs, and when we can be there.