Frequently Asked Questions

 The septic system is an on-site sewage treatment and disposal system buried in the ground. A properly working system will treat the wastewater coming from your home and distribute the clean water safely back into the environment. A failing system, however, will harm the environment by polluting waterways and wells or contaminating the ground surface. 

 In general, to properly maintain your septic system it should be pumped every three to five years. Neglecting proper maintenance will cause system distress and ultimately, system failure. 

Generally speaking, for any size septic tank it is recommended to have the system pumped out every three to five years. This can vary depending on factors such as:

The size of your household.
The amount of medication used in the home.
Garbage disposal use.
Does the system have adequate bacteria to aid in the digestion of organic solids.

  As the septic tank is used, sludge accumulates in the bottom of the septic tank. Most tanks are designed to have enough space for three to five years of safe accumulation of sludge. When the sludge level increases beyond this point, sewage has less time to settle properly before leaving the tank. As the sludge level increases, more solids escape into the filter bed or leach bed area. If sludge accumulates too long, no settling occurs before the sewage escapes directly to the absorption area. When this happens your system will become faulty and needs to be replaced. To prevent this, the tank must be pumped out. 

 Signs of system distress include:

Toilets and sinks draining slowly.
Gurgling sounds in your plumbing.
System backups.
Wet areas of the yard with standing black water.
Black water coming from your homes outlet.
Foul odors in the home.

 A septic system functions as a, "holding tank" where natural bacterial decomposes human waste into environmentally acceptable components. The major part is water that is mixed with some other components that are consumed by the bacterial action, gases, and undigested solids. The end products, called effluent, are discharged to the on-site environment. If maintained properly, septic systems cause no harm to the local underground environment. 

  A septic system is comprised of two main components. These components include, a tank (typically 1200 to 2000 gallons) and a disposable area (Seepage pits, or leach lines, etc.). 

 The life of a septic system varies depending on key factors, which are are particular to each situation. A typical system that is properly maintained and has sufficient leach capacity can last for a few decades. In some circumstances, a septic system may last less than ten years when the system is not maintained properly or is overstressed due to inadequate design or over use. 

During an inspection, our service professional will attempt to determine:

The type of system. (Dry wells, leach lines, pumps, aeration system, etc.)
The capacity of the tank.
Is the liquid in the tank at the proper level?
Is there any surface discharge observed.
Did water enter the tank from the house?
Is the outlet tee in place?
Is the tank in good working condition?
Does the tank have lids and risers and are they in good condition?
Does the level of solids in the tank warrant pumping?
Does the system work properly.