Questions You Might Have Before Getting Your Septic Tank Pumped
The time has come! It has been a few years — or maybe you've been having some plumbing troubles — so you've made plans to have your septic tank pumped. This is definitely the best thing for your system as septic tanks typically need to be pumped every three to five years. However, you likely have a few questions you'd like answered before your septic company arrives. Discover the answers below.
1. Will the septic company need to get in your house?
In most cases, no, the septic technician should not have to come inside your house. They will typically access your septic tank via a cover that is buried in the ground, which may resemble a manhole cover or a sewer access pipe (depending on the style of your tank.) There are exceptions, however. If you have been having problems with your plumbing, such as if your toilets are not draining properly, and the company you hired deals with both septic tanks and standard plumbing, then they will likely want to come inside and assess the situation to make sure that pumping the tank adequately solves your problems.
2. What equipment will the technicians use?
The septic company will generally show up with a large truck that resembles the type of tanker truck you would see carrying milk or oil. The truck has a big hose coming from it that resembles a fire hose. After lifting the cover off your septic tank, the technicians will send the hose down in there, turn on the pump, and empty your septic tank into the tanker truck.
3. What happens if the tank is damaged?
Most septic companies will look over your septic tank for any signs of damage while they already have it exposed. If they do find something like a crack or a chunk missing from the side of the tank, they will make recommendations as to how you should proceed. If you have a concrete septic tank, they may recommend having the crack patched; this is usually pretty affordable and effective. If you have a steel tank, then most cracks and holes are due to rust, and you typically need to have the tank replaced once damage is seen.
Now that you know a little more about septic tank pumping and what will happen during your appointment, you can proceed with confidence. Talk to your septic technician to learn more.