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Septic System Care: Septic Tank Pumping Procedure - Sequence of Steps for Pumping, Cleaning, Inspecting Septic Tanks
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InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.
Septic tank pumping guide & procedures, step 1: things to check before starting the actual septic tank pumpout or cleanup. In these articles the steps in servicing a septic tank are given by
photographs that show each of the critical steps in pumping, cleaning, and inspecting a septic tank. This article series provides a step by step, photo-illustrated guide to opening, pumping, and inspecting septic tanks, how a conventional septic tank is
located, opened, pumped out, cleaned, and inspected. This guideline is intended for septic pumping tank truck
operators and as general information for homeowners or septic service companies concerned with septic system care. Readers should see Septic Tank Pumping Frequency Guide for a table explaining when to schedule a septic cleanout.
Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.
A Photographic Guide to Pumping a Septic Tank
Citation of this article by reference to this website and brief quotation for the sole purpose of review are permitted. Use of this information at other websites, in books or pamphlets for sale is reserved
to the author. Technical reviewers are welcome and are listed at References. This is a chapter of Inspecting, Testing, & Maintaining Residential Septic Systems an online book on septic systems.
Septic System Safety Warnings
This septic care guideline describes the steps in pumping and cleaning a septic tank.
While it is common for a septic service company to send a pumper truck with a sole operator, pumping septic
tanks is an
inherently dangerous procedure and I advise against working alone. An operator can be injured,
or overcome by fumes such as methane gas.
Don't lean over or crouch down at the tank opening such as shown in
the photo above. In this example case the operator was not working alone. Having
a buddy watching is invaluable.
If someone does fall into a septic tank, do not enter the tank to try
to save them - call emergency rescue. Double fatalities have occurred when a second worker entered a septic
tank to try to safe the first who had entered the tank and was overcome by gases.
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Because cleaning septic tanks involves potentially dangerous hazards (cave-in, collapse, methane gas explosion,
or asphyxiation) readers should be sure to read our
SEPTIC & CESSPOOL SAFETY article.
If a cesspool, drywell, or seepage pit is or might be installed, be sure to read
Cesspool Safety Warnings.
Here in the form of individual detailed articles are the Steps in Septic Tank Cleaning Procedure in the order that they should be performed
- FIND the SEPTIC TANK, HOW TO
- HOW TO OPEN A SEPTIC TANK
- SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION PROCEDURE
- INSPECT the SEPTIC TANK BEFORE PUMPING
- SEWAGE LEVELS in SEPTIC TANKS
- MEASURE SCUM & SLUDGE
- EFFLUENT RETENTION TIME
- PUMPER TRUCK OPERATION PROCEDURE
- PUMPING the SEPTIC TANK - details & INSPECT the SEPTIC TANK DURING PUMPING
- WASH SEPTC TANK SIDES/BOTTOM & INSPECT the SEPTIC TANK AFTER PUMPING
- CLOSE the SEPTIC TANK & RECORD SEPTIC TANK LOCATION
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about how to clean a septic tank: when, where, how & why a septic tank should be pumped and cleaned and inspected
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Technical Reviewers & References
Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.
- Special thanks to M & O Sanitation, Dutchess County NY (845) 471-0308 for permitting us to photograph steps during septic system service at our demonstration property.
- Ten Steps to Keeping a Septic System Working, suggestions from the U.S. EPA, edits and additions by DJF
- Pennsylvania State Fact Sheets relating to domestic wastewater treatment systems include
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-161, Septic System Failure: Diagnosis and Treatment
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-162, The Soil Media and the Percolation Test
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-l64, Mound Systems for Wastewater Treatment
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-165, Septic Tank-Soil Absorption Systems
- Document Sources used for this web page include but are not limited to: Agricultural Fact Sheet #SW-161 "Septic Tank Pumping," by Paul D. Robillard and
Kelli S. Martin. Penn State College of Agriculture - Cooperative Extension, edited and annotated by
Dan Friedman (Thanks: to Bob Mackey for proofreading the original source material.)
- Inspecting Septic Systems: Online Book, Inspection, Test, Diagnosis, Repair, & Maintenance: our Online Septic Book: Septic Testing, Loading & Dye Tests, Septic Tank Pumping, Clearances, details of onsite waste disposal system inspection, testing, repair procedures.
- Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies, Anish R. Jantrania, Mark A. Gross. Anish Jantrania, Ph.D., P.E., M.B.A., is a Consulting Engineer, in Mechanicsville VA, 804-550-0389 (2006). Outstanding technical reference especially on alternative septic system design alternatives. Written for designers and engineers, this book is not at all easy going for homeowners but is a text I recommend for professionals--DF.
- Builder's Guide to Wells and Septic Systems, Woodson, R. Dodge: $ 24.95; MCGRAW HILL B; TP;
Quoting from Amazon's description: For the homebuilder, one mistake in estimating or installing wells and septic systems can cost thousands of dollars. This comprehensive guide filled with case studies can prevent that. Master plumber R. Dodge Woodson packs this reader-friendly guide with guidance and information, including details on new techniques and materials that can economize and expedite jobs and advice on how to avoid mistakes in both estimating and construction. Chapters cover virtually every aspect of wells and septic systems, including on-site evaluations; site limitations; bidding; soil studies, septic designs, and code-related issues; drilled and dug wells, gravel and pipe, chamber-type, and gravity septic systems; pump stations; common problems with well installation; and remedies for poor septic situations. Woodson also discusses ways to increase profits by avoiding cost overruns.
- Country Plumbing: Living with a Septic System, Hartigan, Gerry: $ 9.95; ALAN C HOOD & TP;
Quoting an Amazon reviewer's comment, with which we agree--DF:This book is informative as far as it goes and might be most useful for someone with an older system. But it was written in the early 1980s. A lot has changed since then. In particular, the book doesn't cover any of the newer systems that are used more and more nowadays in some parts of the country -- sand mounds, aeration systems, lagoons, etc.
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Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
 The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
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