Septic tank pumping around Fort Smith

A septic tank separates what comes out of the house: solids settle to the bottom as sludge, grease and light stuff float as scum, and the clearer liquid in the middle flows out to the drain field. Pumping removes the sludge and scum before they build up far enough to wash out into the field. Once solids clog a drain field, the fix is far more expensive than any number of pump-outs.

How often

A common rule of thumb is every 3 to 5 years for a household on a conventional tank. Pump more often if:

• The tank is small for the household (more people = faster sludge).
• You use a garbage disposal — it adds a lot of solids.
• Someone in the house is on long-term medication or chemo, which can upset the tank's bacteria.
• It's an aerobic system — check what your service provider and the manufacturer recommend.

What happens on the service call

1. Find and open the lids. Older tanks often have buried lids; digging them up adds time. Ask about risers so it's easier next time.
2. Pump the tank. The truck pumps out the liquid, sludge, and scum.
3. Look it over. A good pumper checks the inlet and outlet baffles, the effluent filter if there is one, and the level the tank was at when they opened it (a tank that's over-full can point to a drain field problem).
4. Write it down. Keep the receipt with the date — it tells the next pumper, or a home buyer's inspector, what they need to know.

Keep it cheap

• Know where your tank is. The county health unit may have the original permit drawing.
• Install risers to bring the lids to grade.
• Don't flush wipes (even "flushable" ones), grease, or paper towels.