Septic Tanks
Our Septic Service FAQ
The following are the questions we get most often about Septic Systems and we are happy to answer them for you here. You are welcome to call our office for more specific questions about your system.
What areas do you service?
We primarily service Pitt County. If you would like service outside of Pitt County, please call our office at 252-830-1016 for more information.
How do septic systems work?
In Pitt County, there are two main types of septic systems, Standard and Pump Systems. Here’s how they work in a nutshell:
Standard systems consist of a septic tank, a distribution box and a drain field. Approximately 85% of systems in Pitt County are standard systems.
All of the water from your house (toilet, shower, sinks, washing machine, etc.) goes into the septic tank. The septic tank acts as a big filter. It traps the solids inside the septic tank and lets the water flow out of the tank and into the distribution box. The solids stay in the septic tank and over time settle to the bottom as sludge. The distribution box distributes the water from your septic tank (also called effluent) to the drain lines. Most systems have 3 to 5 drain lines. The area of your yard that the drain lines are in is called the drain field. There are several types of drain lines, but for the most part, drain lines are black plastic pipe with small holes in them. The water, distributed by the distribution box into the drain lines, seeps out of the holes and into the ground. The ground naturally filters the water from there. The flow of the water from the house all the way to the drain lines works by a slight down-hill flow by gravity.
The second type of system we call a Pump System. There are several variations of pump systems, but most often, they consist of a septic tank, a pump chamber and drain field. As with a standard system, all the water from your house (toilet, shower, sinks, washing machine, etc.) goes into the septic tank. The septic tank acts as a big filter. It traps the solids inside the septic tank and lets the water flow out of the tank and into the pump chamber. The pump chamber is as second tank (usually just like the septic tank) with a hydromatic pump in it. When the water gets to a certain level, the pump engages and pumps the water to the drainfield.
How do I know what type of system I have?
The easiest way to tell, is that a pump system most often has an electric box with a light on top of it coming up out of the ground by the pump chamber or possibly closer to the house.
Why do I have a pump system rather than a standard system?
The area of your property that the drain lines are located is called the drain field. If the soil on your property is not suitable to absorb the water from your system, the drain field may have to be located further away from your septic tank. It might be located in the front yard, rather than the back yard or even an empty lot nearby. Since the drain field is further away from the septic tank, gravity flow cannot be achieved and the pump is used to pump the water to the drain field.
Why does a septic tank have to be pumped?
As stated above, the septic tank acts like a big filter. Just like the air conditioning filter in your house or the oil filter in your car, it has to be cleaned regularly. The septic tank traps the solids inside the tank. If you wait too long to pump your septic tank, the solids start overflowing into the drain lines and clogging them up. Trying to unclog drain lines or replacing them is expense that can be avoided by pumping the tank regularly.
How often should I pump my septic tank?
This depends on how many people live in your house. The purpose of pumping the septic tank on a regular basis is to remove the solids from the tank. The more people that live in your house, the more solids that go into the tank. Here’s what we recommend: 2 people--every 5 years, 3 people—every 4 years, 4 people—every 3 years, 5 people—every 2 years, 6 or more—every year.
Should I use the additives advertised on TV?
No, they are not necessary. These additives add bacteria to your system. Bacteria breaks down the solids in your septic tank, so that they settle to the bottom of the tank as sludge. There is enough bacteria in your tank naturally to break down the solids. Some TV ads lead you to believe that their product turns the solids to water, but that simply is not true. Save your money to put towards pumping your tank regularly rather than spending it on additives.
Do you install new systems?
No, we do not. We are licensed installers, but we now concentrate our business on pumping and small repairs.
I’m buying a house, should I get the septic system inspected?
Yes and most lenders require it. Septic systems are out of site and out of mind for a lot of homeowners. Some homeowners just don’t do regular maintenance. We recommend not bundling your septic inspection with the house inspection. Hire an inspector that will physically dig up the tank, box and inspect all components. Our inspections include pumping both the septic tank and the distribution box. Inspections also include checking the structure of the tank, the box and lids, the water levels in the tank and box, the Tee in the septic tank and the drain field. With a pump system, we also pump out the pump chamber. Jim has 40+ years experience in pumping and inspecting septic systems.
I’m getting a smell inside the house, could that be the septic system?
It may be. Take notice if this happens during rainy periods. As stated above, the water from your septic system seeps out into the ground. When the ground is full of water from rain, it can’t absorb it from your septic system as fast as it normally does. When this happens, it may cause the water level in your septic tank to rise. When the water level rises, it can push the gases in the tank back up through the pipes and into your house. If you notice a smell, but it has not been raining, call our office to discuss what else might be causing the issue.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Cash, Checks and all major credit cards.
The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service has a great publication that explains septic systems along with diagrams, just click on this link:
https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/septic-systems-and-their-maintenance
Septic Tank Services
for Greenville, Farmville, Ayden & Grifton, NC
Septic tanks are good for processing your wastewater. They require minimal maintenance, although there are things you must do to ensure it is functioning properly. Just like many things in life, if you take care of your septic system properly then it should be trouble free for years to come.
There are many benefits to our septic tank cleaning and pumping services. First and foremost, staying up to date on your cleanings will prevent any damage from occurring to your tank. It can become a costly expense to repair or replace your septic tank, but our cleaning services will extend the life of the entire system.
Our septic tank pumping services will also protect your property. Pumping, cleaning, and emptying your septic tank will keep it from overfilling & overflowing. When a septic tank is overloaded and clogged, untreated wastewater filters & pools onto your property. With our septic tank service, we can ensure that will not happen to you or your property.
Call us today to learn more about our septic tank service options and schedule an appointment! We are proud to serve residents throughout Greenville, Farmville, Ayden, and Grifton, NC.
More Septic Tank Services We Offer Include:
Maintenance
Maintenance of a septic system involves several different aspects; inspecting, pumping, cleaning, and treating the tank periodically. All of these things are equally important and none should be overlooked or taken on by an inexperienced person. Not every tank is the same, which is why we will treat it as the distinctive tank that it is. We will be able to determine what scheduled maintenance fits your unique needs.
Treatment
There are many chemical agents out there for treating septic tanks. However, learning which is best for your tank, and which may alter the complex balance of microbes within the system that prevent it from overfilling is very important. Although chemically treating your tank occasionally could be necessary, it's best to leave that scheduling up to an experienced contractor. We will not only be able to determine how often you should treat your septic tank, but which chemicals are right for your system.
Cleaning
Though it may seem like a very simple process, it's important to be aware of the additives in the cleaning chemicals you use, and what effect they may have on your tank. We make sure to sit down with you and, on a case by case basis, determine what chemicals will have what kind of end results for your tank. Then we will help you determine a course of action going forward to ensure that your septic system operates without a care.
Pumping
Your septic tank should be pumped approximately once every three to five years. This can vary depending on the size of your household and other factors. Obviously, the more the system is used, the more you'll have it pumped. There are other factors to consider too, such as having (or not having) a garbage disposal. This will also affect how frequently you will need to pump your septic system. We will be able to help you schedule your tank's pumping according to your needs and situation.
Contact Us Today to Schedule a Septic Tank Cleaning or Pumping Service!
The professionals at Jim's Liquid Waste Hauling LLC have the experience and know-how to make sure that whether you are looking for maintenance, cleaning, or pumping, we know the difference and provide you with excellent service to keep that great word-of-mouth flowing. We're proud to serve the Greenville, Farmville, Ayden & Grifton, NC areas!
These are not things that, as a homeowner, you want to constantly worry about. So it's best to choose someone who does the best work.
At Jim's Liquid Waste Hauling LLC, we try to take the worry out of wastewater. Contact us today.