Just Had My Septic Tank Pumped Do I Need to Do It Again on Sale of Home

Frequently Asked Questions

drainfield failure

t-probe

i merely moved into a home that was vacant for years . i have no thought when the septic arrangement was serviced concluding. should i have the septic tank pumped out?

Yeah! Information technology's recommend to take the septic tank pumped out sooner rather than later on. Since most people don't know how often to maintain their septic systems, many times we find that systems have been neglected for a very long time. Fifty-fifty though a home has been vacant for months or even years, this does non mean the solids in the septic tank have disappeared. Although some of the liquid may evaporate if the home is left vacant for a long menstruum of time, the solids are still in the tank and need to exist removed. It'due south better to be safe than sorry!

i don't know where my septic tank is. can your company locate it?

Yes, definitely without a dubiety! At that place hasn't been a septic tank yet that we could non locate! We normally can locate information technology with a T-probe. For more than difficult-to-find systems nosotros have a special video photographic camera that can aid united states to locate your arrangement.

I've never had whatever problems with my septic system. why does information technology need to be pumped out?

There are several reasons why you need to keep your septic tank pumped out on a routine basis, only the most common one is to prevent your system from failing. Just like changing the oil in your vehicle, yous would never expect your machine to last for years without the preventative maintenance and so why would you look your septic system to last without the proper preventative maintenance? Many people remember that only because they oasis't "seen" any problems with their system, they assume there aren't any problems. The truth is yous won't likely see any bug until it is too belatedly. When water begins to surface in your yard or when the system starts to back up into the house, this could be a sign/symptom of organisation failure. Don't wait until the system starts to neglect to begin your preventative maintenance!

how oftentimes should my septic tank be pumped out?

It is recommended to have your septic tank pumped out approximately every 2-3 years. This is not only recommended past our company, merely besides by your local environmental wellness department. Many people assume that the time to pump out their septic tank is when it backs upwardly into the dwelling or when liquid starts to surface in the one thousand. NEVER wait for your organization to back up to beginning maintaining information technology. Waiting too long in-between pump outs could result in major damage to the organisation and could toll you thousands in repairs or replacement.

i alive in north carolina and i've had my septic tank pumped out before, but no i has e'er told me that my septic tank has 2 split up compartments! are yous sure this is accurate?

We literally hear this multiple times per 24-hour interval from new customers because many companies lack the knowledge for proper maintenance. 99% of all septic tanks installed in Due north Carolina have (2) split up compartments - even the manus-built cinder block septic tanks that were installed dorsum in the 1930'due south.

If you alive in South Carolina, your septic tank probably only has one compartment and this is normal.

do i need a permit for a major repair to my septic system?

Nigh major repairs practice require a repair permit from your local environmental health department, such as drainfield replacement, calculation drain lines, and tank replacement. If anyone e'er offers to install, repair, or supercede your septic system without a permit, be very cautious! It is in your best interest to go your permits to ensure you are getting the right kind of work you demand.

tin my septic tank be pumped out of the pvc piping that i run into sticking out of the footing?

If you meet a piece of PVC pipe sticking upwardly out of the ground, this may either be a make clean out cap for admission to removing clogs or a locator for your septic tank. The septic tank cannot be pumped out of this pipage efficiently. Your septic tank lids are at least xx" x xx" each. If anyone tells you they can pump your septic tank out of that small-scale PVC pipe, they will not likely be able to remove the solids, clean the filter, or cheque the inside of the tank.

what are the signs of drainfield failure?

Gurgling toilets/drains
Foul olfactory property in the yard
Greener grass over the drainfield than the rest of the thou
Plumbing backups
Wet or mushy ground over the drainfield
Water surfacing in the yard

what is the proper style to have my septic tank pumped out and serviced?

If you lot reside in North Carolina , your tank should have (ii) lids with (ii) separate compartments/chambers. There is a bamboozle wall inside the tank making it a ii-compartment tank. After opening the tank lids, everything including the liquid, sludge, and solids should exist pumped out of both compartments. You lot should be able to run across the lesser of your septic tank in both compartments after the tank is pumped out. We understand that most people exercise not care to sentry this procedure, simply if yous are not using a reputable visitor to perform the piece of work, y'all may not be getting what you "call back" you are paying for! If a company tells you they are going to pump out the "whole" tank, brand certain they clarify if this means both compartments or just one compartment. Only pumping one compartment is non but misleading you as a consumer, but information technology tin can cost you thousands of dollars downwards the road. Your outlet tee condition needs to exist checked forth with the bamboozle wall, structural integrity of the tank, and clogs/leaks in your inlet piping. If clogs are nowadays in the inlet pipe, they should be cleared out immediately to avert a backup into your home. If leaks are nowadays, they demand to be corrected immediately to avert overloading your organization with additional water. Your septic tank should be covered back upwardly in one case your service is complete (if digging was necessary). At that place are several things that need to be checked during a pump out. Only pumping the septic tank without checking over your system could result in a minor issue turning into a major, costly ane. Fifty-fifty a small leak coming from your firm could put your system into failure! Y'all may be able to prevent costly repairs or replacement if problems are detected early.

If you reside in South Carolina , your septic tank should be a ane compartment/chamber tank because there is no baffle wall present in most of the tanks in your country. There is a hat on each end of the septic tank. Sometimes simply ane lid needs to be opened depending on the state of affairs. Due south Carolina tanks should be able to be pumped out efficiently from only one lid.

what payment options does your company take?

Cash
Check
Visa
Master Bill of fare
Detect
Debit Carte du jour

what is sub-surface operation maintenance?

Sub-surface operation is manual operation and maintenance required for sure types of septic systems. In that location are many different types of systems. Maintenance and performance may include merely non be express to the following:

Evaluate and inspect the components of the septic system
Flush lines
Accommodate head pressures
Practice and adjust valves

how can i prevent my septic organization from backing up into my home?

Backups can be VERY inconvenient, VERY expensive, VERY embarrassing, and they usually happen at the most inopportune time - like when you're entertaining a big number of people in your home.

Take your septic tank pumped out virtually every 2-iii years.
Have an effluent filter installed in your septic tank.
Use Bio-One or Lenzyme monthly additives. Never apply additives that could potentially damage your drainfield.
Avoid using a garbage disposal if you lot accept 1.
Don't affluent annihilation in the toilet other than toilet paper.
Never flush babe wipes or any other type of wipes that merits to be "flushable."
Don't over-use bleach or any other household cleaner/chemical

These are the most common things that you tin can do to help prevent a backup.

why are household leaks bad for my septic organization?

Household leaks tin cause big bug in your septic system. A leaking toilet can put upward to 2,000 gallons of water in your system within a 24-hour menstruation which will over-saturate the drainfield and cause problems. Nosotros recommend checking your toilets and fixtures for leaks near every 6 months. Toilets are the virtually mutual thing when information technology comes to leaks so we're going to permit you in on a petty cloak-and-dagger. Yous don't need a plumber to check your potentially leaking toilets- you can do it yourself! All you demand is some food coloring or Easter egg dye. Take the lid off of the tank of the toilet. Drib about fifteen drops of food coloring or a dye tablet into the tank of the toilet. Exercise non flush. Wait about 60 minutes. If you observe whatsoever color/dye in the toilet bowl, this means your toilet is leaking. Normally, you lot can fix this past replacing the flapper. We recommend getting a good quality flapper. Subsequently you lot have replaced the flapper, practice the dye test again just to be sure this has corrected the problem.

what are access risers and why are they then of import?

Access risers are an important asset to a septic arrangement. Almost all new septic tanks include an extension that brings admission to your septic tank to footing level and up to code. Of class the real advantage of this is that yous no longer have to pay for having your backyard dug up to gain access to pump out the septic tank or to check the organisation if a problem arises. Trying to locate an hush-hush septic tank tin be hard, labor intensive, and costly. Access risers can solve this problem once and for all. This above ground access signal can be an excellent investment for your home and tin save lots of fourth dimension, money, and bedevilment. Imagine your septic tank bankroll up into your habitation and the tank is unable to be located in order to pump information technology out. This ways no water, no showers, no laundry, etc. and it could last for days until your tank is able to be properly located and uncovered!

is it true, i can't utilize bleach?

Bleach kills bacteria and your septic arrangement needs to have a healthy supply of leaner in social club to aid swallow away at the sludge in your tank. Many products we use in our homes today are anti-bacterial, then information technology is of import to Supersede that bacteria by using our bacterial additives. You lot may order Bio-One or Lenzyme by calling our office at 704-447-5500. For more data on these products, visit our Products page.

i would like to add together more bedrooms to my dwelling house. does my septic system need to exist upgraded?

The respond to this question needs to be answered past your local environmental health department. It is likely that they will require an upgrade to your organization. If you add together bedrooms to a home, this usually means at that place will be more people living in the dwelling house and more h2o usage. You definitely want to make sure your organisation is sufficient for the larger amount of h2o usage than information technology was originally installed for. If you accept more people in the home than the system can handle, your drainfield volition eventually fail. It'due south not a matter of "IF" the drainfield fails, only a matter of "WHEN!" Another betoken you want to expect at is the resale value of your home. For instance, if the arrangement was originally permitted for a 3 bedroom home and you accept either added bedrooms or turned a bonus room, part, etc. into a bedroom (and never upgraded the system), it is very possible you may just exist able to sell your home as a 3-sleeping room home unless you upgrade the organization.

where can i find the records for my septic organization?

Septic organization records are kept on file with your local ecology health department. You will need to contact them to locate the files. Be prepared to provide them with some data. Each county may require different information to locate the files, for example, address, year home was built, parcel ID number, lot number, original purchaser's proper noun.

what additives should i be using and why are they important?

If yous use household cleaners, soap, shampoo, conditioner, laundry detergent, or other products that tin can kill the expert leaner in your septic arrangement nosotros recommend using Bio-Ane or Lenzyme. Some additives can damage your drainfield so be sure whatsoever you utilise is safe for your organisation. Bio-One and Lenzyme are both safe for your system, your family, your pets, information technology works great, and both are very affordable. To purchase either production please contact our office at 704-447-5500.

Is your company a full service septic company so that if my system requires additional work such as repairs, tin can this service be provided?
How many lids tin I expect your company to dig up and open on my septic tank?
How many chambers/compartments will your visitor empty out of my tank? (Hint: If y'all reside in NC, the respond should most always be two! This means 2 lids will have to be opened/uncovered.
Will your technicians remove all of the black sludge from the bottom of my tank? If the answer is no, then ask why! (We'll give yous a little hint – if anyone tells y'all the practiced bacteria needs to be left in the bottom of your tank - be very cautious!
Is disposal included in the pricing?
Will I be charged with a dispatching or arrival fee?
Volition I be charged with an environmental/free energy fee?
Will I be charged with a fuel surcharge fee?
Is your company locally owned?
Does your visitor subcontract any of the work and if so what is the name of the company who will be working on my property?

is your company qualified to piece of work on alternative septic systems?

Yes! We specialize in maintaining, repairing, and installing all types of septic systems that have been approved for Due north Carolina and South Carolina.

how do i know if my septic system requires sub-surface functioning maintenance?

Contact your local environmental health department. They will be able to await up the type of system y'all have and decide if your arrangement requires sub-surface operations.

what is an effluent filter and why is it important?

In NC, any septic tank permitted after 1999 is required past law to take an effluent filter installed inside. This cartridge-fashion filter prevents solids and sludge from leaving your septic tank and potentially clogging up your drainfield. Information technology is recommended to have an effluent filter installed in your septic tank if one is not nowadays. It is a very affordable component and may prolong the life of your organization.

PROTECT YOUR Almost VALUABLE INVESTMENT!

i'g in the market place to purchase a home. how of import is a septic inspection?

The real question is this: Are you prepared to spend $4,000 - $12,000 (or more) to replace a septic system or connect to urban center sewer? If the answer is No, then your septic inspection is one of your virtually important inspections. If a septic system is declining, many times you won't see whatever signs above ground. A failing septic organization may be a bargain-breaker or a negotiating point for many people who are trying to purchase a home.

northward carolina septic tank diagram

should i take my septic system located before building or placing any type of structure in my yard?

Yes, absolutely! If you program to build or put anything in your thou, for example, concrete walkway, shed, pond puddle, deck or patio, and even copse and shrubs you absolutely demand to accept all of the components in your septic system located beforehand. Time and time again, we visit backdrop oftentimes who are having septic bug but the septic tank is not accessible because something is covering information technology. The just manner to admission the septic tank is to remove the construction over the system. This could be a huge thwarting, specially for that brand new deck you simply paw-built yourself. Never put annihilation over whatsoever component of your septic organization.

what is terralift?

Terralift is a technological breakthrough in soil restoration. It solves a number of soil problems including compaction, saturation, and improper drainage, without disturbing the basis surface. Terralift provides a fast solution to many ground h2o bug. Terralift uses a long, narrow probe and an integral pneumatic hammer to penetrate the soil to depths of from 3 to half-dozen anxiety. It and so forces air into the soil at a controllable charge per unit, fracturing the soil, and creating an aerobic condition. If you are having drainfield problems/failure, Terralift may exist an culling to doing a major repair. Contact us for more than data.

does your company offer emergency service?

1st Choice Service, Inc. offers emergency service after five:00 pm Monday through Friday, on weekends, and holidays.

i've had other septic companies tell me that the solids in my septic tank could not be pumped out, just just the liquid. tin your company remove the solids?

Absolutely! Some companies claim they offer an aeration service because information technology breaks up the solids and enables them to pump out the septic tank just this process tin take weeks. If you're having a backup in your dwelling, there's no time to wait. Our technicians are equipped with the right tools and cognition to do the job all in the same day.

Email: *

Check hither to receive email updates

exercise i demand a repair permit for a terralift?

No, a permit is not required for performing a terralift. Terralift is land-canonical and is considered maintenance.

what are your hours of performance?

24/7

why does my system crave sub-surface operation maintenance but my next door neighbor's organization does not?

Every septic system is different because the soil varies on each piece of holding. Your soil may be completely different than that of your nextdoor neighbour. As of July 1, 1992, there are sure types of systems that require additional maintenance per the state of North Carolina. If you have the type of system that requires boosted maintenance, and if your system was installed prior to this date, information technology is non required by police to have this maintenance performed. However, if you do not have this maintenance done on a regular ground, your organization will non last every bit long as it should. This maintenance, if done properly, should prolong the life of your system.

we hope that you lot have found our oft asked questions to be helpful. if you would like to see anything else on this page or have a recommendation for our website delight contact us via electronic mail: info@1stchoiceservicenc.com

video inspection camera

$10 Discount For Septic Pumping Services Bachelor for Seniors, Armed services, Law Enforcement, & Disabled !

Excludes Inspection Services

how do i get a allow for repair or replacement of my septic system?

You will need to contact your local environmental wellness department for a permit.

what is an outlet tee & why is it important to have it checked routinely?

Outlet tees near e'er deteriorate and fall off. In our experience, most outlet tees have anywhere from a 5-20 yr lifespan. The outlet tee needs to be checked each time the tank is pumped out to be certain there is not whatever deterioration or impairment. The outlet tee serves every bit protection for your drainfield, but information technology does non protect your system also equally an effluent filter. Nosotros tin easily add an effluent filter!

Earlier contacting a Septic, Sewer, or Plumbing company check out this list of helpful questions to ask beneath:

HOW MUCH DOES A SEPTIC REPAIR, UPGRADE, EXPANSION, OR NEW Arrangement COST?

The price for a septic repair, upgrade, expansion, or a new system will be contingent upon the requirements permitted past your local ecology health department, which is unremarkably based on a soil evaluation. If you have a permit for your project, we can provide a quote according to the details and design on your permit.

i take an alert with a cablegram and a red light on my septic organisation that is alerting me. what should i do?

if you always have an alarm sounding, a red light flashing, or both call u.s. ASAP! This is an indication that something is wrong with your system and it needs to be corrected equally soon as possible.

Thanks for contacting u.s.a.! If needed, you will hear back inside 48-72 hours.

why practise septic systems fail?

There are several dissimilar reasons why septic systems neglect. The #1 cause of septic system failure is neglect. Septic systems need to be maintained by having the proper preventative maintenance done on a regular basis to prevent failure. Beneath is a list of other common reasons for septic system failure:

Outlet tee condign damaged
Effluent filter not being present in the tank
Loftier volume of h2o usage in the home for an extended menstruum of time, i.e. more people living in the dwelling than the system tin can handle or leaks coming from the home.
Tree roots
Driving/parking over the septic system
Flushing foreign objects down the toilets/drains
Putting large amounts of kitchen grease down your drains
Poor installation/blueprint of the system
Poor drainage over the system due to pelting water not flowing away from organization
Salt from water softeners

COMPLETE THE Class Below TO CONTACT US Now!

WHAT KINDS OF THINGS SHOULD NEVER BE FLUSHED DOWN THE TOILET?

Babe Wipes
True cat litter
Fats, oils, or kitchen grease
Any kind of food
Cigarette butts
Contraceptives
Paint
Bleach and household cleaners that contain harmful chemicals
Dental floss
Medications
Newspaper towels
Pesticides
Sanitary feminine napkins

what services does your company offer?

We offer a wide diversity of septic, sewer, grease, and trenchless pipe lining (aka CIPP) services to include maintenance, installs, and repairs, regardless of the size, blazon or project. Delight visit our services page for a detailed listing hither:

Our Services

where can i find the contact information for my local environmental health department?

Below is a list of some of the counties that we service with their telephone numbers:

Mecklenburg county 704-336-5103
Union county 704-283-3553
Lincoln county 704-736-8426
Gaston county 704-853-5200
Cleveland county 704-484-5130
Catawba county 828-465-8270
Burke canton 828-438-5430
Cabarrus county 704-935-g
Rowan county 704-216-8525
Iredell canton - Mooresville office 704-664-5281
Iredell county - Statesville office 704-878-5305
Due south Carolina - DHEC 803-898-3432

seifertandla1943.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.1stchoiceservicenc.com/faq-s.html