Septics tanks can lessen the load on your local wastewater treatment facilities. After all, the primary purpose of a septic tank is to separate solid waste from liquid waste. However, septic tanks can overfill.
When this happens, you may notice pools of foul-smelling water in your yard. Additionally, raw sewage can begin to flood your home, causing a stinky mess. That’s why it’s crucial to schedule a septic pumping service.
You may also want to have your tank cleaned. But what’s the difference between these services? Let’s find out!
What Is Septic Tank Pumping?
If you live on a property with a septic tank, you’ll need to consider septic tank pumping services. Septic tank pumping is when you remove the majority of sewage from your on-property septic tank.
Professionals typically perform this service with access to high-quality equipment, such as large pumps and hoses. Additionally, septic tanks may be challenging to access due to their underground location.
A septic pumping service can locate the tank, dig to it, and empty it. This is a crucial service and one that can save your home and yard from a sudden, stinky disaster. Remember, raw sewage is a serious health hazard!
Why Pump Your Septic Tank?
Septic tanks can hold several hundred gallons of sewage, and they typically don’t fill up overnight. That said, even the most well-maintained septic tanks can become clogged with waste over time.
To keep your plumbing lines clog-free, you’ll want to remove built-up sewage deposits every few years. Otherwise, you could come home to a yard full of sewage. And believe us, it takes a long while for that smell to go away.
How Often Should You Pump Your Septic Tank?
In most cases, homeowners should schedule a septic tank pump service every three to five years. Even with store-bought septic tank chemicals, waste can accumulate over time, causing backups and overflows.
By ensuring that your tank is regularly cleaned every three years or so, you can avoid some of the most problematic consequences of an overfull septic tank.
Of course, while you’re having your tank pumped, you may also want to consider having it cleaned. After all, a pumping service may remove most of the solid and liquid waste from your tank, but not all of it.
What Is Septic Tank Cleaning?
A septic tank cleaning service typically follows a pumping service. When your technicians have finished pumping out the bulk of the sewage in your septic tank, there may be a layer of thick sludge still sitting at the bottom.
A cleaning service removes this final layer of grime, helping to ensure your tank remains in tip-top condition.
Why Clean Your Septic Tank?
Though it’s not entirely necessary, you may want to consider having your septic tank cleaned after it’s been pumped. Doing so is a great way to extend the lifespan of your tank and avoid expensive repair services.
However, having your tank cleaned could also help keep overfills at bay for a longer period of time. If your household is relatively large, you may benefit from this additional service, as your tank may fill more quickly than others.
How Often Should You Clean Your Septic Tank?
It’s best to have your septic tank cleaned directly after it’s been pumped. As such, you may want to have your septic tank cleaned every three to five years.
Common Septic Services to Consider
In addition to pumping and cleaning, there are several other common septic services that you may want to consider. Some of the most useful of these include:
- Maintenance
- Riser Installation
- Porta Potty Rentals
To ensure you choose the best possible services for your home, let’s take a brief moment to explore these in greater detail.
Maintenance
Septic tank maintenance and pumping go hand in hand. After all, one of the best ways to maintain your tank is to have it pumped!
Still, if you’re not sure when you last pumped or cleaned your tank, septic inspection services could prove useful. These allow your technician to check the fill level and condition of your tank.
Of course, this is far easier to do if you have a riser installed on your tank. A septic tank riser sits aboveground and acts like a bottlecap. It opens to allow access to your tank, negating the need to dig up half your lawn.
Riser Installation
Septic tank specialists can quickly and easily install a tank riser to ensure that future septic services go smoothly. Though you might not need septic services each year, it’s crucial to consider installing a riser.
After all, the long-term nature of septic tank maintenance can cause you to forget where your septic tank is. And though most specialists will be able to locate your tank without any excavation, mistakes do happen.
Porta Potty Rentals
A septic tank pumping and cleaning can take a few hours to complete. And if your tank has already overflowed into your yard or home, it’s best to vacate the premises. After all, raw sewage can contain dangerous bacteria.
Of course, if you’ve scheduled a septic service before disaster strikes, you’ll likely be able to stay in your home during the pumping and cleaning process. That said, you may not be able to use your home’s plumbing.
Fortunately, many septic service companies offer porta potty rentals. Though these may not be as comfortable as your porcelain throne, they can help you relieve yourself while your technicians are pumping your septic tank.
Choose the Best Septic Pumping Services
A septic pumping service can remove excess waste from your property’s septic tank. This helps prevent overfilling, keeping your yard and home safe from sewage backups.
When scheduling a septic pump, you may also want to inquire about deep cleaning services. These can ensure that the bottom of your tank is sludge-free and ready to take on your household’s sanitation needs.
Do you need immediate septic service? If so, contact us today for a free service quote! We look forward to helping you put your septic problems behind you.
