What happens during a septic pumping?

If you have never had a septic tank pumped, it helps to know what to expect. Here is how a typical visit goes with our crews in King and Snohomish County.

Before we arrive

• Know where the tank is. If you are not sure, see how to find your septic tank lid. Exposed lids or risers save digging time.
• Clear a path for the hose. Our truck parks on the driveway or street and runs a hose to the tank. We do not drive on lawns or drainfields.
• Keep pets inside and move cars if they block the driveway.
• Hold off on laundry and long showers during the visit.

Step 1: Locate and open the lids

We find the tank, dig down to the lids if there are no risers, and open every compartment. Most tanks have two lids. Pump systems have a third chamber.

Step 2: Check the liquid level

Before pumping, we look at the liquid level. Liquid above the outlet pipe can mean the drainfield is not accepting water, which is important to know before the tank is emptied.

Step 3: Pump the tank

We lower the vacuum hose and remove the liquid, scum and sludge. We break up the sludge layer so the tank is cleaned out properly, not just skimmed. A standard 1,000-gallon tank usually takes 20 to 40 minutes.

Step 4: Inspect the tank and components

• Inlet and outlet baffles (cracked or missing baffles let solids escape)
• The effluent filter, which we clean
• Signs of cracks, roots or groundwater coming in
• Pump, floats and alarm on pump systems
• Backflow from the drainfield, which can signal a problem

Step 5: Close up and clean up

We secure the lids, replace soil and sod if we had to dig, and clean the work area.

Step 6: The county report

In both King and Snohomish County, pumping and inspection results are filed with the county. We handle the report so your records stay current, which matters a lot if you sell your home. See our Snohomish County home-sale guide.

How much does it cost?

Pricing depends on tank size, how deep the lids are and whether your system has a pump chamber. See our septic pumping cost guide for current rates. Members of our $20/month maintenance plan get 10% off.

After the visit

You can use water normally right away. The tank refills with water over the next few days, which is normal. Bacteria repopulate on their own, so you do not need additives (here is why). Write down the date, or let us track it for you, and plan the next pump-out using our pumping schedule guide.

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