Greenville Septic Cleaning: The Do's and Don'ts of Septic Tank Clean-Outs

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Greenville Septic Cleaning: The Do's and Don'ts of Septic Tank Clean-Outs

At Greenville Septic Pumping, we pump out septic tanks of all sizes. From residential to commercial and municipal jobs too. Whether you’re in need of a septic tank clean-out or you simply want to learn more about the process, keep reading or contact us today to schedule service. We offer same-day service for emergencies and our technicians are on call 24/7.

Always Make Sure Your Septic Tank is Cleaned Out Through the Largest Available Access

Depending on the type of septic tank or system you have, your tank may have more than one access point. We always recommend pumping from the large access port on the center of your tank. This is usually covered by an 18-24-inch cement lid or manhole cover, often brought to grade with an extension. Cleaning out your tank from one of its inlet or outlet ports can cause damage to the tank’s baffles. It also doesn’t allow you to clean out the tank properly, so it’s important to make sure your tank is cleaned thoroughly from the main access.

Septic Cleaning should be done on a regular basis to avoid blockages and problems like the ones described above. Prevention is always better than cure. However, these things do happen, and when they do, we encourage you to call the experts of Greenville Septic. There are many different signs that can tell you that you need septic cleaning or pumping services. Here are a few to remember:

Never Go Longer Than Five Years Between Septic Tank Clean-Outs

Although we recommend having your tank pumped out every 2-3 years, depending on your tank size and the number of people in the house, you may be able to stretch the time between clean-outs before experiencing any problems. If you’re the kind who likes to wait, be careful because delaying your clean-out too long can lead to septic backups or possible damage to your system. We recommend you never go longer than FIVE years between your septic tank clean-outs to make sure things are working properly and your tank is filtering out waste the way it should be.

Greenville Septic Cleaning: The Do's and Don'ts of Septic Tank Clean-Outs
Make Sure Your Septic Tank is Visibly Marked or Easily Accessible

Make Sure Your Septic Tank is Visibly Marked or Easily Accessible

If you’re ready to schedule your septic clean-out, be sure your tank is easy to access. Keep your septic system clear of any trees or shrubs, and never park cars or heavy equipment on top of your septic system. If your manhole cover or access port is covered by your landscaping, be sure to mark it with a flag or a bucket, so your technician will be able to find the cleanout upon arrival. If your manhole cover is not up to grade, meaning it’s buried and hard to locate, we can install an extension or a “riser” to bring the lid up to ground level. Simply ask or contact us ahead of time to ask about installing the riser at the time of your septic pumping.

Septic Pumping Frequency

Most townships require pumping every 2-4 years and if your live in such a township you’ll receive a notice in the mail when your tank is due to be pumped. When you call us to pump out your septic tank, we’ll make a note of our recommendations and we can give you a reminder call when it’s time for your tank to be cleaned out again.

If you’re not sure of your septic tank size, here’s a general rule of thumb – most septic tanks are based on the number of bedrooms in your home. If your home has 3 bedrooms, you most likely have a 1000-gallon tank; 4-5 bedrooms are typically a 1500-gallon tank. Older homes have smaller septic tanks so if your home was built prior to the 1980’s you may need to have your tank emptied more often.

The best thing you can do for your septic tank to keep things flushing smoothly is to stay on top of your septic pumping schedule and have your tank emptied every 2-4 years.

Ready to have your septic tank cleaned out? We offer septic cleaning and pumping services in Greenville, South Carolina. Call us today at (864) 432-6175.

Septic Pumping Frequency

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