Septic Tank Pumping in Pierce County and King County, WA

Septic Tank Pumping on a regular schedule will improve your system’s efficiency and keep it running smoothly. But using a quick “get in and get out” Septic Tank Pumping service could spell costly trouble down the road.

Septic Tank Pumping should be done every 3 to 5 years depending on household size and usage. Regular Septic Tank Pumping of the Septic Tank will reduce accumulation of scum layer in the Septic Tank. The scum layer (shown in diagram below) should never reach 24 inches thick, if the material reaches 24 inches and beyond in depth there is a risk that material will flow into the outlet pipe and into the drainfield, causing drainfield failure.

In a Pressure Distribution Septic System, the excess material can travel into the pump tank causing, the effluent (sewage) Pump to be damaged or failure and material being pumped out to the drainfield laterals essentially causing Septic system (Drainfield) failure.

When the Scum Layer in the tank reaches more than 24 inches in the tank, not only do you risk damaging the Drainfield but excess material charges may apply to the cost of the septic tank pumping service. Material over 24″ is considered excess & extra costs are incurred to dispose of the excess waste, more gallonage taken onto the pump truck, extra labor & time than would be normally on a tank that has been pumped every 3 to 5 years.

To have the Septic Tank pumping done, you will need to locate your main compartment & 2nd compartment lid of the septic tank. It is best to uncover the baffle lids as well, so we can check your inlet baffle for blockages and clean the screen in the outlet baffle (if one is installed – highly recommended).

Lilly’s Septic Tank Pumping Service can locate and dig the Septic Tank lids for you, if you prefer not to or you do not know where the lids are located.

We can obtain an as-built drawing from King County for you (NO CHARGE). An as-built will give the general location of the Septic Tank but will not give the exact location of the lids.

Lilly’s Septic Tank Services provides:

• Septic Tank Pumping & Cleaning
• Real Estate Sale Inspections
• Septic System inspection Repairs
• Drainfield Repairs (D-Box Replacments & Bottle Brushing)
• Drawing of Certified As-Builts
• Pump Alarm Calls & Pump Replacement
• King county Repair Proposals
• Baffle & Riser Installation

Check out our Septic System Blog for more information about Septic Tank Pumping

Septic Tank Diagrams:

Single Compartment 750 – 950 Gallon Septic Tank:

Installed up to approximately 1975 – Pumping should be performed in 3 year intervals due to capacity of these tanks

Two Compartment 1000 Gallon Septic Tank:

Typical Pump Tank/Chamber:

Installed primarily after 1990 on most but not all Septic systems. Most likely you will have only one access lid on the typical Pump Tank.

**Lilly’s recommends pumping the Pump Tank every other pumping unless you are experiencing a problem with the effluent pump.

Call today for your convenient Septic Tank Pumping Appointment.