While septic systems are not the most glamorous component of your home, they are essential to your day-to-day living. Regular septic tank pumping ensures that your drain system functions properly and prevents the need for costly repairs. It also protects local water sources from contamination from wastewater overflow.

During a Jacksonville Septic Tank Pumping appointment, your technician will locate the septic tank and remove the lid. They will then use a giant hose to suck up the liquid, solid waste, and sludge that are in the tank. This process will take between 15 minutes to 1-hour. Once the technician has pumped out your septic tank, they will carefully clean and flush the inside of the tank before replacing the lid.

Top Signs Your Septic Tank Needs Pumping Immediately

When wastewater flows into your septic tank, solid waste settles at the bottom while lighter materials float to the top. Over time, these solids accumulate and can reduce the amount of space available for new wastewater to enter. This can lead to clogs and other problems that require expensive repairs. By getting your septic tank pumped regularly, you can keep the solids from reaching a critical level and causing damage to your drain field.

The best way to determine when your septic tank needs to be pumped is to schedule routine inspections with a professional. During these inspections, your septic professional can check the sludge and scum levels to see how much has built up in the tank. You can also use a homemade septic tank sludge level indicator, which is as simple as taking a stick and measuring the thickness of the scum layer or sludge layer.