Category: Septic Tank Pumping

Septic Tank Pumping Schedule – Should you have one?

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Septic Tank Pumping Schedule – Should you have one?

Creating a septic tank pumping schedule isn’t something most homeowners think about often until they have a soggy drainfield, plumbing problems or a back-up of wastewater. Then, septic pumping is all any homeowner can think about until the issue is resolved, which can be costly and time-consuming, not to mention smelly and inconvenient.

Schedule Septic Tank Pumping

So, we believe that everyone who owns a Septic system (for a private residence, business or farm building) should keep a septic tank pumping schedule. This takes the guess-work out of your maintenance and gives you peace of mind about your plumbing so that you don’t worry about forgetting, overlooking or ignoring potential septic problems.

Keep in mind that sudden up-ticks in use (such as a party, houseguests, seasonal workers or other loads on the septic and wastewater system) can speed up the schedule and make more frequent pumping necessary. By the same token, if your building is vacant for some length of time, you might lengthen the period between septic tank pumping safely.

United States EPA Recommends Often Septic Tank Service

You might be surprised how often the United States EPA and septic system professionals recommend you service your septic tank. For instance, it’s generally agreed that a family of four with a 1000 gallon tank should pump their tank every 2.5 years. Unfortunately, there’s not a hard-and-fast rule or schedule for every septic system, but we’d be happy to give our recommendations based on your usage, occupancy, and lifestyle.

A nice benefit we offer here at Shankster Bros is we evaluate your septic tank size, number of occupants in the home, and condition of your tank, and recommend a service interval. We then contact you to schedule service at the recommended time.

Surprisingly, many people with septic systems do not keep a pumping schedule, which causes emergency septic problems. You’re much better off to pump your septic tank on time and keep your building’s plumbing running smoothly, rather than procrastinating and causing more expensive services in the future.

If you’re not sure how big your tank is or when it was last serviced, please give us a call (260)-982-7111 and we’d be happy to help you troubleshoot.

Here’s a great resource created by the EPA for you to print out and use. We suggest putting this somewhere you will remember to check it and keep it updated.

Click -> Septic Tank Pump Schedule
(opens in a new window)

What to Expect from Local Septic Companies in Indiana

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What to Expect from Local Septic Service Companies in Indiana

For most of us, we don’t spend a lot of time worrying about our septic or sewage system. That is until we encounter a problem. When those inconveniences occur, it can be tempting to overlook the importance of researching local septic service businesses in your area.

However, it’s worth it to do your research before hiring for services.

Here’s what to expect from a local septic service company, and how to ask for the best service when you do decide to hire one:

  • Septic service companies should be knowledgeable about the local soils, regulations, and how a normal septic system functions in your area.
  • A septic tank cleaning company should ask about the age of your system, the health of your drain field, and your septic service record before recommending a service.
  • The septic service company should be willing to work with you – whether that means evening or weekend service, detailed explanations, or custom service plans, your wastewater needs are important and so are your preferences.
  • You should be given clear work estimates and a project budget early on. Most septic system services are quick, routine pumpings or cleanings, but any company you hire should be upfront about costs, risks, and timelines for service.
  • Everyone involved in the septic service should be timely, respectful and honest – from the front office staff to the service providers, you should never feel ignored or disregarded in any way.

If you can’t check off this list when you make your initial phone calls, keep looking for a local septic company that treats your home, business, and wastewater needs with care.

As always, please call us (260)-982-7111 if you need septic tank pumping or septic system service of any kind. We pride ourselves on professionalism and timeliness in all of our services and we would love to help you navigate your septic system maintenance or emergency.

What Emergency Septic Services Means

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What Emergency Septic Services Means

 
While we try to catch septic problems before it becomes an emergency, accidents happen from time to time. The most effective way to avoid emergency septic services is by prevention through regular cleaning, pumping, and maintenance, but here are the signs of a septic emergency:

Sewage smell, backup or bubbling

Often times, a foul odor in your drains and bubbling in your toilet is the first sign of a septic system backup. Call us immediately if you think you smell, hear or see anything that looks like sewage where it doesn’t belong, and we will come service your septic as soon as possible.

Pooling or standing water in the septic drain field

If your septic tank is full or malfunctioning, pooling water is usually a sign. Water should almost never pool in the drain field unless there’s been significant rainfall, and even then it should be similar to the areas around it. If you notice your drain field behaving differently, you likely have a problem with your septic system. Your septic system should run all water through the tank and seep into the drain field slowly, and pools can reveal clogs, broken pipes, or full septic tanks.

Well water problems

Test your well water for nitrates regularly, and if you notice high levels, there’s probably an issue with your septic system, which is impacting the groundwater. Again, regular septic tank pumping, cleaning, and service greatly reduce the risk of nitrate-heavy groundwater, and getting you’re well tested is always a good idea.

Shankster Bros. with a 24-hour emergency septic system hotline

If you see any of these signs, call us! (260) 750-2185 Even if you aren’t sure that your septic is malfunctioning, let us know if you observe unusual patterns in your septic system. It’s always better to prevent an emergency rather than respond to it, and we are happy to answer questions, check out your septic system in person and offer our recommendations for how to avoid problems in the future.

How Much Does Septic Tank Pumping Cost?

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How Much Does Septic Tank Pumping Cost?

 
One of the factors to consider when you have a septic system in your home or business is how much does septic tank pumping cost for cleaning and other maintenance. Luckily, these costs are minor and the services don’t take much time if done regularly.

Maintaining your septic tank and drain field is not difficult, but it does require some planning. It’s important to budget money, time, and resources to keep all aspects of your home running smoothly, and your septic system is no exception. With proper maintenance, it should be one of the easiest pieces of home-ownership, however, as most septic companies can service your tank and system quickly and easily.

Usually, there is a set rate for pumping your septic tank, based on the size of your tank (septic tanks usually run from 1000 gallons to 2500 gallons). Of course, if there are blockages, leaks, or other problems, those costs could rise. The more people using a septic system, the more often you should hire a professional to inspect and pump your septic tank.

The Environmental Protection Agency suggests pumping your septic tank a minimum of every three years to avoid septic system problems and environmental health hazards. And, while the EPA suggests that minimum service, the age, use, and size of your tank are all factors to consider when making a service plan.

If you smell foul odors in your drain field or septic tank area, or if you notice soggy or sinking ground, puddles, or other unsightly changes to your septic system, call us right away. Untreated septic problems are not only dangerous to the health of people, animals, and watersheds but can create even more expense and hassle for you, the property owner.

At Shankster Bros., we work hard to offer complete septic pumping service at a reasonable cost. If you’re concerned about the costs associated with your septic system, please call us today (260)-982-7111 for a professional evaluation of your septic. We are committed to the health of our community and so we offer top-notch septic service at an affordable, reasonable price.

Seasonal Septic Tank Cleaning

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Septic Care: Seasonal Septic Tank Cleaning

 
The holidays are over, but winter certainly isn’t. We often get asked about the best time of year for seasonal septic tank cleaning and pumping, so here is our answer: now!

If you are starting to wonder about your septic system, or are considering getting it pumped, you should do so. We are happy to talk you through your specific system, water use, sanitation needs, treatment, and more, but the short answer is that septic tank pumping and cleaning is always a good idea for the care of your septic system.

Another thing to consider is your family’s schedule and needs. Are you expecting guests this spring? Or will you have children returning from college this summer? If so, definitely pump your septic tank before you have a house-full. There’s nothing worse than a septic system emergency with a full house of water-users!

Proper Care for Your System

Septic systems can become overwhelmed with a sudden increase in use. Take the time to remind your guests about the unique needs of a septic system. For your convenience, here is a list of what to avoid sending into your septic tank:

Don’t Allow Into Your Tank

  • Food particles (basically anything that can go in the trash should.)
  • Antibacterial soaps
  • Feminine products
  • Bleach
  • Grease and fat from cooking

There is no garbage disposal that really works well for a septic tank, and I will explain a bit about why. When we eat food, our bodies process it and impregnate it with bacteria that will help it break down. When we run food through the garbage disposal, it does grind it up but does not start the breakdown process nor add the appropriate bacteria. In short, if one is to use a garbage disposal on a regular basis, they will need to pump their septic tank more often than if they do not use the disposal.

If you know that you will have guests who may not be as vigilant about the health of your septic tank as you are, it’s always wise to pump ahead of time. It will cut down on the number of potential hazards or emergencies and will give you peace of mind. It’s especially important for those who use their home as a vacation rental (even occasionally) or host guests frequently.

The good news is that almost anything that could clog your septic tank up can be removed with a pumping, and pumping/cleaning is a relatively affordable way to keep your septic system running smoothly.

Have Questions or Need Septic Maintenance

If you have questions about your septic system, please call anytime: (260)-982-7111. We are always here to help.

Your Local Septic Tank Pumping Service Experts in Indiana, Shankster Bros.

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Your Local Septic Tank Pumping Service Experts, Shankster Bros.

Your local septic tank pumping service experts, Shankster Bros. specializes in agricultural and residential drainage throughout northeastern Indiana. We provide a complete menu of septic system services including:

Family-Owned and Operated

Steven and Simeon Shankster, together with our families, are the heart and drive behind our local septic pumping company. Because we are family-owned and operated, we see our employees, customers, and the community as a family too.

We believe in the old-fashioned values of quality service, given with a handshake, a smile and a commitment to integrity. We will never walk away from a job half-finished or leave your family vulnerable to drainage or septic problems.

We know how important these projects are to you – it’s not just a septic system, it’s the system that keeps your loved ones healthy and your land well-cared-for. Similarly, excavation projects aren’t simply moving dirt around – it’s a project that keeps your farm running smoothly for generations to come and your home safe from floodwaters.

Shankster Bros. – Proud of our Indiana Roots

Because of our family values and hometown pride, Shankster Bros. treats every client as a friend. Therefore, we will never suggest an expensive excavation when a simple, economical septic cleaning will do.

We understand the latest technologies and advancements in drainage and wastewater management and we work very hard to recommend the right solution for every job, big and small. Each of our technicians is certified and comes prepared to answer questions and offer expert advice on your unique septic system.

We want your system to work and you to be happy with the end result. We will work with you to decide on the right option, repair or service for your septic or drainage problems. We’ve seen it all and we are experts on not only the technology of excavation and wastewater but our specific area’s water table, soil types, and local regulations.

We’re Here for You

We are never too busy to answer your questions about your septic system, wastewater issues, drainage concerns or septic tank. We value hard work, integrity, and honesty and we will always help you figure out the best option, whether it’s a small DIY solution or a big excavation project.

Also, please feel free to look at our website for other valuable information. We endeavor to be educational in these blog-posts and have created an open, easy-to-use resource for your convenience.

Call us anytime: (260)-982-7111 We love to hear from our customers and we are always happy to help!

How to Find The Best Septic Tank Pumping Companies

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How to Find The Best Septic Tank Cleaning Companies Near Me

 
When was your septic tank cleaned last? If you can’t remember, you could be in for an expensive hassle. Septic tanks need maintenance on a regular basis, and, generally speaking, the longer you wait, the more likely it is to become a big, expensive project. If it’s been so long that you don’t remember your last septic service, how do you find the best septic tank cleaning companies?

Here are a few things to keep in mind when starting your research.

Always Verify Septic Company’s Credentials

Each state has different regulations and licenses for septic cleaning and pumping companies. So it’s very important that you verify any septic company’s credentials before hiring them to service your septic system. A legitimate company will have a current license and bond that can easily be verified by your state.

These regulations protect consumers from ineffective cleaners, incomplete pumping jobs, and incorrect diagnosis of septic system issues. A licensed, bonded septic professional should be able to inspect the tank and identify any repairs that need to be made to the tank or the pipes, and be able to advise you about the right course of action for your specific home, water use, and lifestyle. They will also be knowledgeable about any permits required to complete the repairs.

Good Reviews Are Important

As you start looking for a company, consider their reputation. Ask your friends and neighbors for their experience, and call a few companies before making a decision.

Remember that choosing a septic service company is an important decision, like any other professional in your home. Service, transparency, ethical business practices, and quality workmanship are all important factors to consider. Septic service is an essential aspect of a healthy community and we are passionate about getting it right, for every customer, every time.

Choosing the Right Septic Company Matters

Regular cleaning and pumping can save you a lot of money and hassle. Using a company with a strong reputation for quality work is the first step in protecting the integrity of your septic system. Here at Shankster Bros., we are happy to answer your questions and help you make the right decision for your system – Call us at (260)-982-7111

Contact us for Tank Services or a Cleaning Today!

Why Home Septic Tank Maintenance and Cleaning Matters

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Why Home Septic Tank Maintenance and Cleaning Matters

 
Why does septic tank cleaning and maintenance matter? Septic Systems are like any other piece of household maintenance – maintaining them is always simpler, less expensive, and easier than replacing them. This means that septic tank cleaning is actually an important piece of your home-ownership schedule. Just as you check your roof’s integrity, clean your gutters and dryer vents, and maintain your home’s exterior and interior aesthetic through cleaning and care, so you should maintain your septic system.

Regular Septic Tank Cleaning Eliminates Risk

If your septic tank is not cleaned, pumped, and otherwise properly maintained, it can cause serious issues. The first obvious issue is the inconvenience of backed-up plumbing. For those with septic systems, a distasteful, smelly plumbing problem can also become an expensive headache that causes a smelly, squishy lawn and other unsightly problems. Regular cleaning eliminates the risk of waking up to a foul and expensive septic system failure.

Also, cleaning your septic is an act of stewardship toward your neighborhood, community, and environment. Improperly cared for and failing systems can contribute harmful wastewater into groundwater, wells, and local habitats. This is a health concern for people, domestic livestock, pets, and wildlife, and should be seriously considered. It can also pollute local rivers, lakes, or other recreational areas, making them unusable and unsafe.

Septic tank cleaning is important because it maintains the economic and aesthetic value of your community. Failing septic systems pose a health threat, and are also expensive and cause property values to decline.

The best way to clean your septic system is to get it pumped by a professional septic company. It’s not necessary to clean or disinfect the septic tank (in fact, it’s harmful, as bacteria helps your system work) but a professional company can make sure that your septic is working well and efficiently.

Homeowner Septic Tank Maintenance

It’s also important to stay educated about what to use in your system. Many items that traditionally go down the garbage disposal (such as coffee grounds and food waste) or normal everyday cleaners like antibacterial hand soap and bleach, can cause your septic system to need premature cleaning. In a future blog post, we will list the items we suggest you avoid using if you are on a septic system in order to keep your household running smoothly.

Most homeowners should consider septic tank cleaning every 1-3 years. We’ll also address this schedule in a future blog post.

Remember, every septic system is different and every household is unique, so if you aren’t sure when to schedule a septic tank inspection, cleaning, pumping, or other services, please call us today at (260)-982-7111 with any questions.

At Shankster Bros., we pride ourselves on friendliness, tank care, expertise, and service. We’re here to help!

How Often Should You Pump A Septic Tank?

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In Northeastern Indiana, many homeowners and owners of commercial facilities rely on septic tanks to dispose of solid and liquid wastes water from their buildings. These tanks hold the solids and sludge while releasing the liquids into leaching fields to biodegrade naturally back into the environment. But septic tanks are not bottomless; periodically, they must be emptied out by a professional septic system cleaning company. Which brings up the question, how often should you pump a septic tank?

When Should You Pump Out Your Tanks?

Should your system be pumped every three years? Many professionals recommend you pump out your septic tank when the level of solids reaches one-quarter of total tank volume. This type of accumulation can take up to two years, but your tank may need to be pumped out more or less often, based on several different factors.

Number of home occupants and lifestyle

If you have a large family, you may be sending more wastes water and solids into the tank than normal. Also, keep an eye on your septic tank if you often invite houseguests over for extended visits because more toilet paper is being flushed, which may make it necessary to pump out your tank more frequently. If you add appliances onto your septic tanks lines, such as dishwashers or laundry machines, then your tank may fill up faster due to the extra water.

Size of the septic tank

Septic tanks come in a wide range of sizes and capacities. You may have a single tank for residential use or a double tank for commercial use. Understanding the capacity of your septic tank and the average use of the wastewater system will allow you to develop a septic tank pumping and septic tank maintenance schedule to ensure your septic tank runs optimally.

Amount of solids in the septic tank

Including a garbage disposal on your septic tank lines creates more solid waste that accumulates in the tank. To prevent overwhelming the septic tank system and clogging the pipes to the leaching fields with this non-biodegradable material, you may need to schedule your septic cleaning more frequently. Always limit the number of solids that enter the tank, whether it’s for commercial or residential use, by not introducing grease, paper towels, plastics, sanitary hygiene products, or cigarettes into your septic system.

Track Your Septic Tank Usage to Determine the Right Pumping Schedule

The best way to know when to pump out your septic tank is to understand how much it’s designed to hold. Your septic tank cleaning and repair company can help you calculate the capacity of your system and determine how long it should take your tank to fill up, based on your household size and daily usage. Be sure to ask your septic tank cleaning and repair company to inspect your system to spot any issues before they adversely affect your pumping schedule or cause your system to fail.

Septic Services and Cleaning: What We Do

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When your septic system fails you

Your septic systems isn’t a normal topic of conversation, that is until you find that it’s failing. Somebody in your family woke up in the morning and noticed a wet spot developing on the lawn, a drain making funny gurgling noises, or a toilet backing up somewhere in the house. There were foul smells coming from the basement, another family member reports. The drains smell, too, says somebody else…

Suddenly your septic system is the only topic of conversation and you need to find septic services near you.

24/7 SEPTIC EMERGENCY HOTLINE: (260) 750-2185

How your septic system works

To help you determine if your septic system is in serious trouble, and what that trouble might be, here are the basics of how a septic system works.

Everything that goes down your household drains eventually makes its way to your septic tank. All of the substances lighter than water floats to the surface of the tank, creating a layer of scum. Once the scum has separated and floated to the top, it leaves behind something called “effluent”. Effluent is the water that exists between the scum layer and the sludge layer of your septic tank (the sludge layer is made up of solid particles, heavier than water, that sink to the bottom of the tank.) Over time, aerobic and anaerobic bacteria work to digest both the floating and sinking solids in the tank, while the effluent flows through your drain field and seeps into the ground.

Problems develop after several years of scum and sludge buildup starts to fill the capacity of your septic tank—waste buildup and capacity overload are the root causes of most major septic system failures. A tank filled beyond its capacity results in the visible (and foul-smelling) symptoms you may have the misfortune to discover: persistent wet spots over your drain field, sluggish plumbing, back up in your drains, lingering, unpleasant odors, and so on. What should you do when you find one or more of these symptoms in your home?

Call a professional, and fast.

Septic services we offer

We respond quickly to your call for help and immediately get to work on troubleshooting, diagnosing, and solving your septic problems. We’ll discover if there is a clog in your line, waste buildup in your system, or damage to your drain field. Then, we’ll determine the best method of repair. To minimize damage to your property we carefully read a map of your system, which tells us where your tank, manhole, distribution box, lines and drain field are located. When a septic emergency strikes, we get there quick and will leave behind as little evidence as possible.

We care about our customers—we want to save you time, money, and headache, so we’ll always educate you on how to preserve important bacteria in your tank, allowing your septic system to function longer and more efficiently. We’re happy to teach proper septic tank maintenance to spare you from having your tank pumped more often than needed. A healthy septic system makes for fewer septic problems.

If you’re building a home and need a brand new septic system installed, we’re the guys for that job, too. We’re experts at determining the best location for a new septic system according to the layout of your property, the location of your house and other buildings, the condition of the soils near your residence and other environmental factors. Preserving the local environment and functioning alongside it is important to us, and we consider this each time we install a new system or repair an existing one.

Shankster Bros., are your local septic pumping professionals

Septic systems may not be a normal topic of conversation for most people—but we’re not most people. We’re septic service professionals.

We know how to help you.

We want to help you.

Whether you’ve found indicators that your septic system is failing, need a new septic system installed, or need to know more about how to extend the life of an existing septic system—we can help. You have questions—we have answers, guaranteed.

After all, septic systems are a normal conversation topic for us every day of the week, so call us about yours: (260)-982-7111

Septic Emergency Hotline