FAQs and Tips

Frequently Asked Questions and Tips

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Proper septic tank cleaning and pumping services ensures a long life for your septic system. Timely maintenance of your septic tank system helps reduce many potential risks to your family's health. These risks include contamination to your well water, and foul-smelling odours.

Additionally, regular septic tank maintenance prevents the need for costly septic repairs or replacement of your septic system.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if there Is a problem?

  • The septic tank has not been pumped out in the past five years. Even if the system appears to be working well, sludge may have built up to the point where waste water is released without sufficient time in the tank for treatment and settling of particles. This situation may result in pollution of groundwater or cause eventual clogging of the drainfield.
  • A wet area or standing water occurs above the drainfield. This situation can develop when sludge particles clog the drainfield, when tree roots or broken pipes keep the waste water from dispersing through the entire drainfield, or when water use in the house regularly exceeds the design capacity of the system. When these conditions occur, waste water does not move through the soil as it should, and instead rises to the surface creating a serious health risk and odour problems.
  • Toilets run slowly or backup: in the worst cases, the basement is flooded with sewage. This can be the result of plugged sewer lines to the tank, a plugged inlet or outlet pipe, a full septic tank, or a failed drainfield.
  • Septic odours occur in the house, above the tank and drainfield, or escape from the vent pipe. If the system is operating properly, there should be no odours. If there are odors, it can be an early warning sign that the system is failing.

What do you charge to pump out a septic tank?

Prices vary, depending on where you live. Call our office for an estimate.

How often should I pump my septic tank and why do I have to pump it?

You should have your septic tank pumped every 3 – 5 years to prolong the life of your septic system. For alternative systems, refer to your manufacturer’s guidelines.

Do I need to add anything to my septic tank?

Bacteria is good for your tank as it helps break down waste. If you use a lot of cleaning products, they may kill beneficial bacteria and lead to more sludge. We offer an enzyme product that helps restore healthy bacteria levels.

Are you able to completely empty my septic tank?

Yes. We have a truck that will be able to completely empty your tank.

How close to my tank will you need to be able to get with your truck?

We carry 50 metres of hose, so we can service your tank from a reasonable distance.

Why do you have to dig up my tank lid? I have a round concrete casing.

This may be where your pump is located. If you have a gravity-fed system, the septic tank will be under the concrete casing. If you have a pump-up system, the casing may cover your holding tank. The septic tank is typically next to the holding tank.

I have a 100mm plastic pipe coming out of the ground. Do you pump the septic from it?

To remove all sludge properly, we need to access the septic tank lid. This usually requires digging an opening approximately 550mm x 550mm in size.

My alarm is going off — what does this mean?

Your pump may not be working. The issue could be the pump itself or a problem with the floats. Contact us — we can help diagnose the issue over the phone.

Do I need to be home when my septic tank is pumped?

No, as long as you know where your septic tank is located, you do not need to be home.

Tips

Do not overload your septic system. Use water sparingly. Do only full laundry and dishwasher loads at off peak times if possible.

Do not put kitchen grease down the drain.

Do not flush cigarettes, sanitary napkins, disposable nappies, or other inorganic materials down the toilet.

Do not put petrol, oil, anti-freeze, paint, paint thinner, pesticides, etc. down the drain.

Use waste disposal unit or insinkerator sparingly or increase septic system maintenance schedule.

Check all plumbing fixtures for leaks.

Have your system pumped out every 3 to 5 years by Septiclean.

Direct down spouts and runoff away from the septic field to avoid saturating the area with excess water.

Dense grass cover and other shallow rooted plants are beneficial over a septic field. However, do not plant trees because large plant roots can clog or break the pipes.

Avoid compacting the soil over the infiltration area. Do not drive or park vehicles over the area and don't build a shed or driveway in this area. These activities can also crack pipes or cause the distribution box to settle unevenly, meaning that effluent will only flow into part of the drain field.