If you live in a rural area, there’s a good chance that your home has a septic system. What you might not be aware of, however, is that this system requires regular maintenance. If it isn’t pumped on a consistent basis, waste could back up into your home, causing a disaster that’s worse than anything you could ever dream of.
Curious as to what exactly septic pumping is? Curious as to some signs that it’s necessary? Wondering where to find it in Olympia, Washington?
Read on. We’re going to cover it all below.
What Is Septic Pumping?
Septic pumping is the process of pumping out the waste within a septic tank. It is facilitated with the use of a large hose. This hose is stuck into the tank where it then sucks out all existing waste.
Generally speaking, septic pumping also involves septic tank cleaning. Filters are replaced, hard-to-remove sludge is dislodged, and the tank is prepared to serve its purpose for the foreseeable future.
Knowing When to Pump Your Septic Tank
Now, you’re probably wondering when you should pump your septic tank. Generally speaking, it should occur every two to three years.
Note, however, that there are some signs you should be looking out for that will indicate whether pumping is needed. These signs include the following.
When Things Are Draining Slowly
Does the water in your sinks, toilets, and bathtubs seem to be going down the drain slower than it once did? If so, a full septic tank could be the culprit. Call up your local septic cleaner and schedule an inspection.
When You’re Smelling Foul Odors
Another thing to look out for is foul odors. If your toilets, sinks, and bathtubs are emitting bad smells, there’s a decent chance that your septic tank is the culprit.
When Your Grass Is Unexpectedly Getting Greener
Have you noticed your grass turning a deeper shade of green? If so, you might be happy to see your yard take a turn for the better.
The issue is this might be due to your septic tank. See, if waste is overflowing out of your septic tank, it could be acting as fertilizer for your grass, causing it to become greener and greener.
This isn’t something you want to play around with. It indicates that a massive backup is on the horizon. Get your tank pumped as soon as possible.
When There’s Water Pooling in Your Yard
Another sign that your septic tank might require pumping is that there’s water pooling around your yard. This is particularly true if it’s pooling in the area next to your septic tank.
The reason that this would be happening is that your septic tank is already leaking out into the ground. As such, rainwater has nowhere to go and is thus sitting on top of the leaked waste.
Again, this is something that requires immediate attention. Call up your local septic tank cleaner as soon as possible.
When Sewage Is Backing up Into Your Home
The most obvious sign that your septic tank needs pumped is that sewage is backing up into your home. If this is occurring, it’s already too late. Your home could be subject to severe damage.
If this does happen, don’t hesitate. Bring in a septic professional as quickly as you can.
What to Look for in a Septic Tank Cleaning Company
When searching for a septic tank cleaning company, there are a number of things you should look out for. These things include the following.
Experience
Septic tank cleaning is a delicate process. If done incorrectly, it can cause a horrible mess. As such, when searching for a septic tank cleaning company, you need to find one with experience.
We recommend choosing a company with at least two years of experience in the field. Any company that has maintained a positive reputation over this amount of time is likely doing the job correctly.
Insurance
Cleaning out a septic tank is a labor-intensive process. It’s not uncommon for things to get damaged whilst it’s occurring.
To protect yourself from any potential damages, you want to make sure that the company you choose has insurance. This way, if damages do occur, the company’s insurance policy will just cover it, and you won’t have to pursue any money out of pocket.
In particular, you should look out for general liability and workers’ compensation insurance. The first covers damages to your property. The second covers injuries to workers on your property.
Certification
In most states, septic tank cleaners are required to have septic pumping licenses. This is certainly true in Washington.
So, before you hire anyone to clean your septic tank, you need to make sure that they’re, indeed, licensed. You can verify licensure in Washington by using the Washington state license lookup tool.
Just enter the name of the company you’re considering and wait for a license to pop up. If it does, that company will be good to go.
Reasonable Rates
Septic tank pumping costs aren’t regulated. These companies can and do charge whatever they want. If you’re not careful, you could end up having to pay substantially high rates.
For this reason, when searching for a company to pump your tank, you need to obtain estimates. Any reputable company will supply you with an estimate upon your inquiry.
If a company won’t provide an estimate, you shouldn’t utilize its services. It’s really that simple.
What to Look for in a Septic Tank Cleaning Company
When searching for a septic tank cleaning company, there are a number of things you should look out for. These things include the following.
Experience
Septic tank cleaning is a delicate process. If done incorrectly, it can cause a horrible mess. As such, when searching for a septic tank cleaning company, you need to find one with experience.
We recommend choosing a company with at least two years of experience in the field. Any company that has maintained a positive reputation over this amount of time is likely doing the job correctly.
Insurance
Cleaning out a septic tank is a labor-intensive process. It’s not uncommon for things to get damaged whilst it’s occurring.
To protect yourself from any potential damages, you want to make sure that the company you choose has insurance. This way, if damages do occur, the company’s insurance policy will just cover it, and you won’t have to pursue any money out of pocket.
In particular, you should look out for general liability and workers’ compensation insurance. The first covers damages to your property. The second covers injuries to workers on your property.
Certification
In most states, septic tank cleaners are required to have septic pumping licenses. This is certainly true in Washington.
So, before you hire anyone to clean your septic tank, you need to make sure that they’re, indeed, licensed. You can verify licensure in Washington by using the Washington state license lookup tool.
Just enter the name of the company you’re considering and wait for a license to pop up. If it does, that company will be good to go.
Reasonable Rates
Septic tank pumping costs aren’t regulated. These companies can and do charge whatever they want. If you’re not careful, you could end up having to pay substantially high rates.
For this reason, when searching for a company to pump your tank, you need to obtain estimates. Any reputable company will supply you with an estimate upon your inquiry.
If a company won’t provide an estimate, you shouldn’t utilize its services. It’s really that simple.
Looking for Septic Pumping in Washington?
Are you currently looking for septic pumping in Washington? If so, we here at Goebel are the people to see.
We’re well-versed in the pumping of septic tanks and will have yours clean as can be in no time. Our team looks forward to assisting you.
Contact us now to get the process started!
