Check Out Our Septic System FAQs

How Does My Septic System Work?

All the water that comes out of your house goes directly into your septic tank, washing machine, dishwasher, bathroom or shower. Anything that goes down a drain goes into your septic tank.

A septic tank is designed to hold water long enough for all the grease, fats, and lighter materials to float to the top, and any solids to settle at the bottom forming sludge. Now, this sludge does not just magically disappear. In time, it begins to build up.

If you continue to let this sludge build up and ignore your septic, it will either back up causing a very unsightly mess in your home and add to your cost or solids will begin to flow out into your drain field eventually ruining it.

Consider that pumping costs less than $300, and a new drain field costs anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000 dollars! This is equal to about 50 pumpings which is more than you will probably ever need.

So, no matter what your grandpa told you about septic systems or what the "Rid-Ex" bottle says, you DO need to pump them.

How Often Should My Tank Be Pumped?

Depending on how many people live in the house and how big your tank is, you should have your tank pumped every 3 to 5 years.

If you have 5 or more people in your house and a 1,250-gallon septic tank or smaller or if you have a garbage disposal, you should be cleaning your septic tank about every 2 years.

What Can I Flush Down My Toilet?

In spite of what the package may say, there are some things you just shouldn't flush. Baby wipes, baby diapers, grown-up wipes, tampons, tampon applicators, dental floss, Q-tips, cigarette butts, grease, toys, toilet brushes should not go into your septic tank.

These materials do not break down like organic material does. Tampons swell to 10 times their size and easily clog pipes and drain fields. These things were meant to go in the garbage can, please put them there.

Do I Even Have a Septic Tank?

If you live in the country or outside the city limits, you most likely have a septic tank. If you don't get a monthly sewer bill from the city, you most likely have a septic tank.

If you just don't know, call us. We will come to your house and either find the septic tank or find that you are on city sewer. If you are buying a house, please ask for a septic inspection. This way, you will know what you have or what you don't have.

Serving the

State of Michigan

Since 1981!

Licensed by the Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality and a Member of the Michigan Septic

Tank Association