A full septic tank clean-out, even after years of build-up
We empty the tank, break up the build-up, and tell you what we find.
What your clean-out covers
Hard scum and sludge broken up
Every compartment emptied through the main lids
Waste hauled to an approved disposal site
Baffles and tees checked in each compartment
Lids closed safely when we finish
Tank condition and any cracks noted
Call us when
- Your last cleaning was over five years ago
- You just bought or moved into the home
- Nobody knows when it was last done
- Inspection showed scum or sludge near the outlet
- Sewage backing up? Call now, we're 24/7
How a clean-out works
Book it
Tell us what you know: last service date, lid location, anything odd.
We open up
We open the access ports and measure the layers.
We clean out
We break up the build-up and empty every compartment.
You hear what we saw
We tell you the tank's condition and what comes next.
Numbers worth knowing
- 6 and 12 in.Time to clean out: scum within 6 inches of the outlet tee's bottom, or sludge within 12 inches of it.
- Every 3 yrsThat's SC DES's guide for a four-person home with a 1,000-gallon tank.
- 0 additivesSC DES says a cleaned tank needs no yeast, bacteria or additive to restart.
Good to know
Cleaning is pumping
In South Carolina's septic rules, cleaning means emptying the tank and hauling it to an approved site.
Stay out of the tank
Even leaning over an open tank can make you collapse, says SC DES.
Backups can come back
If they return soon after a cleaning, the baffles, pipes or drain field may need a look.
Cleaning questions, answered
What is the difference between cleaning and pumping?
In South Carolina's septic rules they are the same job: removing what is in the tank and hauling it to an approved site. We call it a clean-out when the tank is overdue or built up, because that takes more time to break up and empty. The truck and the process are the same.
How often should I have my tank cleaned out?
SC DES says most home tanks need it every 3 to 5 years, sooner for bigger households or smaller tanks. A measurement of the scum and sludge tells you when.
What if I don't know when it was last done?
Treat it as overdue until someone measures it. SC DES says the only way to know is to have the tank inspected. We measure the layers and tell you what the readings say.
Do I need to add bacteria or additives afterward?
No. SC DES says a tank needs no reseeding, and that additives are not necessary and some may be harmful. Normal use of the system supplies the bacteria it needs.
Do you check the tank for damage while it's empty?
An empty tank is the best time to see cracks, a worn baffle or a clogged filter. We look for those and tell you what we find, so you know whether anything needs a repair quote.
Tell us what your septic system is doing
- Send the form or call now
- Serving Upstate SC