Wells and Septic Systems

Your septic tank probably needs cleaning if it is producing a foul odor or is not working effectively.

Septic Tank Cleaning: The Basics

If your septic tank is experiencing any of the following, it's time for cleaning:

1. Noticeable odor near septic tank;
2. Backed up the septic tank;
3. Clogged septic tank;
4. Dirty septic filter;
5. Drain field unusually dry.

It is important to clean your septic tank on a regular basis. Septic tanks should be cleaned at a minimum of every three to five years, depending on usage, according to the Department of Health and Safety. Things that affect how soon your septic tank should be cleaned include:

1. Household size. The more people that live in your home, the sooner your septic tank will need to be cleaned to keep it working effectively;
2. Septic tank maintenance. Take great care to ensure that only toilet paper and normal sewage get flushed. This will not only lengthen the time between septic tank cleanings but will also extend the life of your septic tank.
3. Garbage disposal usage. The more you use your garbage disposal and what you put in it can also affect how often you have to clean your septic tank. Do you dispose of a lot of hard, greasy materials? If so, you could be drastically increasing the frequency of septic tank cleanings.

Think cleaning your septic tank is a do-it-yourself job? Well, think again! Not only is it a very dirty job that most DIY-ers wouldn't dream of doing, it actually requires a trained and skilled septic tank cleaner to do it effectively. One of the top reasons this is not a DIY project is that it usually involves finding the hole in your septic tank. In a few cases, that might actually involve excavation equipment.