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Luke Walton

There are parts of the state where septic systems are more common than sewer hook up.  In Walton County, septic pumping is a routine sight.  There are a large number of households that are fitted out with their own wells and septic systems, and a septic system requires regular service.

Did you Take Care of your System after the Floods? –

If you live in the area that was affected by the fall floods, there are certain things you should have done once you returned home.

Even if you were fortunate enough not to have suffered any damage to your home, you should still have your system inspected to make sure that it wasn’t disturbed by the changes in the water table.  As the waters rose in the area, the ground got saturated and your septic system may have settled, creating problems with drainage both from the home and in the leach field.

If you have a regular septic service, a quick call will get them to come out and conduct an inspection of your system.  The leach field will be assessed, the tank inspected and the flow will be checked to make sure that everything is still in good working order.

Regular Pumping Keeps the System Happy –

Every septic system needs to be pumped out on a regular schedule.  Unless you have a particularly large or small tank, you can usually expect to have your tank pumped every two to three years.

The tank works by providing a place for waste water to rest while the solids settle to the bottom and the scum rises to the top.  Ideally only liquid material exits the tank and heads to the leach field, and that liquid should sit in the tank for about 24 hours.

If the tank is overfull, the liquids don’t stay in the tank long enough, resulting in a greater level of potential contaminants reaching the soil.  Those contaminants can affect ground water in your area, raising bacterial levels to dangerous proportions.

A Routine Process That Has Some Complexity –

Pumping out a tank isn’t a particularly glamorous job, but it does have some complexity.  The tank is only one part of the system and a good service will check to make sure the whole operation looks to be in proper order.

The leach field, the piping, inlet and outlet ports, baffles and more all need to be checked and evaluated.  The tank is assessed as well and any suspected cracks or damage are investigated.  The pumping requires a bit of know-how and is usually a routine matter.

If your current septic contractor isn’t doing a good job, do some homework and find a company that does.  Septic tanks may not be glamorous, and few people think much about them, but when things go wrong, regrets can be expensive.

If you live in Walton County, septic pumping is just a routine event.  Every two to three years you need to clear out your tank, regardless of how large it may be.  While many homes were built and furnished with minimal tanks of 1000 gallons, even those with larger tanks should be pumped out on a regular schedule.

Why Pump it Out if it Isn’t “Full”? –

The problem with leaving a tank for many years between pumping cycles is that the solids compact over time.  Every system should be inspected yearly in any case, but the longer the solids sit at the bottom of the tank the more difficult they become to remove when pumping is performed.

How to Tell when you Need Pumping –

If you are willing to take on this job yourself, more power to you.  You will need a septic tank probe; directions for making one can be found online.  This will allow you to measure the scum layer at the top of the tank and the sludge layer at the bottom.

If your scum layer is less than an inch below the bottom of the baffle, or within three inches of the sludge layer on the bottom of the tank, you need to have the tank pumped.

You will also check to see how thick the layer of sludge is at the bottom.  Once you are within 12 inches of the bottom of the baffle or 18 inches from the effluent outlet, you also need to pump.

The Danger of Waiting too Long –

You may not think waiting a little longer is a big deal; that is until your scum layer enters the baffle.  Suddenly, what was a routine job becomes a much more complex issue.  Cleaning out baffles that have been clogged with scum takes a lot more work and you are most likely to find out you have a problem when the wastewater backs up into your home.

Pumping Out Requires Expertise and Paperwork –

Pumping out a septic tank isn’t a do-it-yourself job.  This one has to be left to the professionals.  The State of Georgia requires certain permits for those who own and use vacuum trucks for septic pumping.

You will need to call your service and schedule an appointment for the work.  The technician will come by and inspect not only the tank but also the distribution box, the baffles, the piping and the leach field.

Assuming all is in working order, the pumping itself takes a short a time, usually less than 45 minutes.  Once the solids have been cleaned out, the tank inspected in an empty state and the lid replaced, you can expect a written report on your system.

Remember, your septic system is unlikely to give warning before it fails.  Regular maintenance is your best bet to keep your system running smoothly for many years.

Every region has different soils and water tables.  In Walton County, septic pumping is big business and that opens the door to less than reputable individuals.  If you are a homeowner with a septic system, you want to make sure that the people providing you with this essential service know what they are doing and have plenty of experience.

Weeding out the Amateurs –

How can you tell if a company has the knowledge required to do a good job?  Ask around.  Talk to neighbors who have lived in the area for a while.  Contact the township and ask if they can recommend a septic company or if they have had problems with any particular business.

When you call companies and request for them to give you an estimate, ask how long they have been in business.  Also, find out how long they have been operating in Walton County.  Remember, conditions differ greatly depending on where you are located.  You want a company that has been in business in your area for at least five years.

The Process of Pumping –

While pumping technically relates just to the act of dropping the vacuum hose in the tank and sucking out the waste, the process should be more involved if done right.  These are the basic steps:

1.    Inspection of the system and area.  Your septic professional should inspect the field, the tank and the surrounding area for any easily visible problems.

2.    The tank is opened.  This operation requires some experience since methane will escape upon opening the tank.  The lid is removed and set aside safely and the area should be blocked off to avoid anyone else falling in.

3.    A quick visual inspection of the tank and levels.

4.    The material inside the tank is stirred.  This mixes the solids at the bottom of the tank with the liquids that are on top.  The goal is to get the solids into suspension so they come out easily and completely.

5.    The tank is pumped.  While continuing to agitate the contents, a hose is placed within the tank to remove all materials.

6.    A better inspection is conducted of the system.  The tank walls, the baffles, the intake and outlet should all be inspected at this time to ensure that there are no cracks or blockages.

7.    The system is closed up.  At this point the system can be resealed and a written report of what was found should be provided.  A recommendation as to when you should have the system pumped again should be included.

Avoiding Unneeded Expenses –

Don’t wait until you have problems to pump out your system or have it inspected.  Schedule regular pumping and be careful of what you put into your system.  Finally, try to avoid using anti-bacterial products around your house, as bacteria are what make that septic system work successfully.

It may not seem to you as if the business of emptying out septic tanks would be a big deal, but in Walton County septic pumping is a very serious endeavor.  The basic process may not be complex, but it is demanding if the goal is to do the job right and to prevent the possibility of contamination.

Providers Must Have a Permit –

To pump sewage you need to have a permit in Walton County.  The concern over the possibility of ground water contamination and the spread of disease from mishandled effluent is great.  Even small amounts of wastewater that haven’t been collected properly can create an environmental hazard.

For you, the homeowner, that translates into a need to investigate any company you plan to hire.  Not only should they have the proper permits to pump out your tank, but their truck must also be identified clearly with a permit number and maintained to the highest standards of safety.  There are additional laws regarding where effluent is to be discharged after the service.

How Do you Know that A Company is in Good Stead? –

It can feel like a nuisance to have to check up on a company with which you want to do business.  Still, this is a service you are actually providing yourself.  No one wants to hear that their ground water contains unacceptable levels of bacteria when they are dependent upon a well.

If the company you call isn’t ready and willing to show you their permit, give you references or seems to be hiding something, move on.  You can call the County and confirm that the company you choose has their permits in order.  You can also check with the Better Business Bureau to see if there is a history of complaints against any particular firm.

The Process Itself is Simple –

Once you have found the right company you can rest easy that the job will be done right.  Pumping out a septic tank involves several steps, and all of them are important.  Inspecting, removing the waste, evaluating the leach field and ascertaining that all parts of the system work well are all part of the process.  A good septic service will do it all, quickly, efficiently and with a minimum of fuss.

You should get a written report from the septic service and a recommendation as to when to have your tank pumped again.  Any potential problem areas should be noted on this report so you can prevent difficulties while they are still minor issues.

For homeowners with a septic system, finding a good, trustworthy septic service is a real boon.  While you may not see them often, when you require service it is good to know that it will be done right.