Here are the most common septic questions we get.

The best way to get your septic system pumped is through a manhole cover. When you’re only pumping through a PVC pipe there’s a good chance a lot of solids are being left behind. This means the solid content in your tank will get higher faster which leads to more solids leaving your tank and entering your drainfield. 

When this happens, the solids will get stuck in your drainfield soil’s and when to much get stuck in your soil’s the water will have nowhere to go and that’s how you get a failing system with water leaking out. 

If you ever need a compliance inspection, your system will have to be pumped through the manhole covers anyway. We are also required to put what we pump through on the permits and logs that we send in to the city and county. 

Logs and permits are public information that people can look at when determining whether to buy a property. This will tell them whether the system has been cared for properly or not. Septic systems that are installed today cost about $20,000-$30,000. Because of this high cost, people purchasing homes want to make sure the septic system will last. 

Taking care of the system you already have is very cost effective. Make it last as long as possible!  Give us a call if this is something you’d like to have done. 

Why does a septic tank need to get pumped?

And what to look for in a septic company!

When a septic tank is working as it should, the normal water level will be fairly close to the top of the tank. If we pump your septic tank, the typical family will fill that septic tank back up with liquids within two weeks. However, it will just be water at that point because we would have pumped all the solids (and liquids) out of your your tanks. When we come out to pump your septic tank or septic tanks, we are there to measure the solids and take the entire content of every tank that has built up a lot of solids. We go by the Minnesota State guidelines in determining which tanks need to get pumped and which tanks pose no threat to your drain field and can stay.

Understanding that solids do carryover from tank to tank and will ruin your drain field if they get there, you need to make sure your system is being cared for properly.

DISCLAIMER: We aren’t calling out any septic company in particular. We are friendly with a lot of them but just like in any industry, there are good companies that truly care about the customers system and there are companies that only care about the customers check cashing.

With that being said. Make sure the septic company you choose is measuring the solids is your septic tanks. Or if they’re not, make sure they pump every tank every time. That might get expensive but it’s better than leaving a tank behind that is full of solids.

Some companies will only pump the first tank and call the other tanks “liquid tanks”. If a septic professional tells you that the other tanks never need to be pumped or inspected for solids, you need to find another company. That company's goal is not to make sure your system lasts a long time. Their goal is to fit as many houses as possible on the truck before they have to go unload. This will allow them to make more money and get more jobs done faster. Especially if that company offers a flat rate for pumping! They have no incentive to take any other tank because they have to pay for the extra fluid they get and if they are offering a flat rate, that extra cost will be taken out of the amount of money they make and they won't do that. 

The main goal for every septic system is to keep solids from entering the drain field. Solids entering the drain field is the biggest reason drain fields fail.

Finding a company that truly cares will give your system the best chance to keep working for many years.

Luckily, we’re here for you and your system.

Please give us a call if you have any questions!