Septic Tank Service: A Necessary Part Of Home Maintenance

For millions of Americans, taking care of the household’s waste management needs isn’t always as simple as just flushing the toilet, and septic tank service is a necessary part of the home‘s upkeep. If you have a septic system, failing to have it regularly cleaned and maintained can lead to huge problems that are both inconvenient and costly to fix. Since most septic tank issues aren’t the type of problems homeowners are anxious to tackle on a do-it-yourself basis, hiring a professional to deal with repair and maintenance needs is an important investment. With so many options out there, however, choosing the best service can seem like an overwhelming and confusing task.

Not all septic tanks are created equal, and so it pays to shop around for a professional who is familiar with a variety of different tanks, and will do more than simply give yours a quick look and a thorough cleaning. While simple cleaning can do wonders, and often saves homeowners from more expensive repairs, or the need to replace equipment, it is not always the solution. Ignoring a larger problem can lead to thousands of dollars worth of damage, so hiring a professional that will thoroughly examine and clean the tank, and then diagnose the problem, is essential.

A service must be licensed in order to maintain these tanks, so it is in your best interest to do a bit of research before deciding on the company that’s right for you. Once you’ve gotten a few recommendations from friends, family members, and the neighbors in your area--- who are likely the best guide, since they’re likely to have a similar setup as the one in your home---take the time to do some research. Call the local health department to ensure that the company you’re considering has the correct credentials, and if you’re drawing a blank when it comes to qualified service options, both the health department and licensing entity should be able to make useful suggestions.

In some cases, the repairs needed will be so extensive or expensive that simply replacing your current system is the best option. While this is not cheap, and may be an inconvenience you’d rather not deal with, in the long run, it’s the best option for you as a homeowner. Be wary of the repair professional that doesn’t present this as an option up front, but is more focused on handing you a list of repairs that need to be done in order to get your system back to working order.

While price is an important consideration in having your tank cleaned, repaired, or replaced, it’s important to be aware that most companies will charge extra fees, such as a dumping fee. When you receive your initial estimate, make certain to ask if that’s the final price, or if certain necessary fees will be added later.

Choosing a septic tank service is something that shouldn’t be done overnight, since work that’s done incorrectly, or that’s not up to code, can create huge issues for the homeowner. However, with a little bit of research and knowing how to ask the right questions, the issue can be the least of your worries.