Regular use of a septic tank will result in sludge accumulating at the bottom over time. An adequately designed tank can handle the accumulation of this sludge for about two to three years. When it reaches a certain point, however, sewage does not have enough time to settle properly at the bottom before leaving the tank, creating several problems. It is necessary to pump out the tank at least every two to three years to prevent them.

If the system has been maintained properly, there will be documentation indicating the last time a pumping service was performed. But if a service is overdue, there will be some warning signs. Whenever you see any or all of these, you should have a system expert look at it:

1. Backups in the system

2. Toilets and/or sinks that are suddenly draining slowly

3. Foul odors inside or outside of the building or home

4. You hear your pump station alarm going off

5. You notice water surfacing on the ground

6. You hear gurgling sounds coming from the ground-level plumbing/toilets

Sewer pipes connect your indoor plumbing to your septic tank, which is usually buried near your house. An access lid should be visible just above or at ground level. It's sometimes possible to find older septic tanks by looking for an odd-looking spot in the yard. This could be an area that's growing greener or faster, or it could even be a slower-growing area. You should contact your local health department if there are no obvious signs, since they may maintain records of a permit that includes a graphic that shows exactly where the system is located.

If you're just had your septic tank pumped and its full again, we understand how frustrating that can be. Septic tank pumping services remove any sewage buildup that would eventually lead to system failure. If you see water in the septic tank after it has been pumped, don't be alarmed. The water level will return to normal within a few hours. This level, however, should be at or below the outlet line. If that's not the case, the septic system may be malfunctioning. You should contact us immediately if this issue arises.

There will be many people trying to sell you all sorts of stuff, but there is no chemical that will enhance the performance of your septic system or make it unnecessary for it to be serviced regularly.

If you're thinking about upgrading your older septic system, we can inspect them to determine whether part replacement or replacing the whole system would be beneficial to you. Having a newer system definitely has its advantages, that's for sure. Using PVC pipes and other plumbing techniques have greatly reduced the possibility of a system backup if they are properly maintained. However, we have seen some older systems that have been so well maintained that upgrading is simply not required.