When you call a septic service provider, the professional technician will first need to know where your septic system is located. Some homeowners know this information, but many do not. If you do not know where your tank is located, our septic professionals will locate your tank and drain field. If you have a septic lid riser, which is a 12″ pipe that leads from the lid on your tank to the surface of the ground, he can use that portal as a way to pump your septic tank. If you do not have this, your septic tank will need to be dug up so the technician can open your lid and access your tank. Once your lid is removed, he can examine the scum and sludge layers in your tank.
Your septic tank includes a T-shaped outlet which will prevent the scum and sludge from traveling to the drain field. If the bottom of the scum layer is within six inches of the bottom of the outlet, or the top sludge layer is within twelve inches of the outlet, your septic tank will need to be pumped. We will also inspect your system for leaks in the tank and drain field.
If you called us because you are having a back-up of sewage inside your home, our technician will locate your problem, let you know what needs to be done to correct the problem, and get your system running again. Sometimes the problem is a clog, especially if you have been putting cooking grease down your drain, or flushing the wrong kind of toilet paper or any kind of wipes. These things can clog your pipes as well as sit on top of your scum layer and prevent water from going into the drain field. Sometimes the drain field is either clogged or has a pipe issue which keeps it from accepting any water. If water cannot flow into the drain field, it will flow back up into the home.
Your septic service provider will inform you of any repairs that are recommended to keep your system from failing. He will let you know if these need to be completed now, or approximately how long they can wait to be completed. It is important for you to keep records on work performed on your septic system, including pump outs, and record which company completed the work with the date of service. If you have a repair that needs to be addressed, you should make a note of that as well as the time frame recommended by the technician. Some repairs can be costly, however addressing them before they become a major issue can save you the extra costs of having to replace your septic system once it has passed the point of being repairable.
If you would like for us to inspect, pump or repair your septic system, please give us a call to set an appointment, (865)465-3011.
We Service Knox County TN, Grainger County TN, Union County TN, Jefferson County TN, and Sevier County TN.