HOOD EXCAVATION, INC.
Over 30 Years of Serving Iowa's Septic System & Excavation Needs
Pumping Costs Less than Replacement
Pumping? Who does that? A septic tank should just sit in the ground, do its job, and keep on doing it for a hundred years or so, right? ...Unfortunately, that's not the way it works.
Your septic system is an amazing thing. It's extremely valuable, both because digging up and replacing one costs way more money than properly maintaining it... but also because of the services it provides a household or business. We don't think much of it until a system fails. Then a septic system is sorely missed, and the situation becomes an expensive emergency that most people are unprepared for.
So what can you do about it?
Regular Maintenance. It's really that simple. This means calling your licensed tank pumper to pump the solids and sludge out of your septic tank every 3 to 4 years. It's also a great idea to clean your tank's filter every year.
Every valuable thing requires maintenance.
Your vehicle's oil needs changing. Your home's roof needs periodic re-roofing. Your furnace needs tuning. And your septic tank needs the sludge pumped out of it regularly.
And why do we take the time, energy, & money to maintain things? Because we've learned (often, the hard way) it takes less time, less energy, & less money to do a little preventive maintenance on the more valuable things we own than to just let them corrode, seize-up, & cease to be useful.
Septic Tank Pumping Animation
Why does a septic tank need maintenance and pumping
every 3 to 4 years? This animation explains:
So... How much is pumping going to cost?
The most important answer is: Much less than a septic system replacement.
If your leach bed has filled with sludge and everything needs to be dug up and replaced, it will likely cost between $5,000 to more than $10,000. Do you have that kind of money burning a hole in your pocket? If not, consider that pumping charges are usually measured in the hundreds - not thousands - of dollars (often; low hundreds). Average this over 10 years (pumping every 3 - 4 years) and compare it to system replacement costs. It's clear what makes the most sense financially.
Every job is different; depending on the size of your tank, how full of sludge it is, your location in our service area, & how hard it is to get to (if your tank requires digging to get in to, Hood Excavation will install risers to make it more accessible in the future). Call Phil and discuss your tank's details (if you know) & get a free estimate on septic system maintenance.
Common Septic Tank Cleaning Misconceptions:
'...I won't need tank cleaning. I flush additives to my system.'
Stop literally flushing your money down the toilet. According to independent studies, additives do not eliminate sludge accumulation in your septic tank. They may even exacerbate your problem. click here for more info on this myth.
'...I don't flush paper towels or cotton swabs, so I shouldn't need tank pumping.'
Yes, you can change the rate of sludge accumulation in your tank if you only flush certain items down your toilet, or depending on your garbage disposal usage, etc. But sludge will still accumulate. For more on this myth, click here.
'...My Septic System seems to be working just fine. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.'
Don't forget about the inspection aspect of having an experienced tank cleaner look at your septic system. Surely you would rather be notified of any potential problems before they get to the point of complete failure.
When you're notified of an issue before it becomes critical, you have more options on how to fix it, and it's a less expensive endeavor. It's also more convenient than suddenly having to deal with the surprise loss of your plumbing functionality. If you haven't had your system inspected in years (or never), it's time to call Phil and discuss your tank.
Septic System Pumping & Maintenance Links
For more on Septic Systems, Myths, & Images:
Environmental Agency Literature on Septic Tank Cleaning:
Septic Tank Pumping Photos
Paint marking a septic tank's location before digging and pumping
Hood Excavation: Getting ready to clean a septic tank
Septic Tank Maintenance - Pump every 3 to 4 years.
Hood Excavation's Services Links
- Septic System Services:
- Septic Tank Pumping / Solid Waste Removal
- Septic System & Leach Field Installation
- Septic System Repairs (and Maintenance Info)
- Inspections:
- Licensed Time-Of-Transfer Septic Tank Inspection
- Sewer Pipe & Tile Video Camera Diagnosis
- Excavation & Demolition:
- Basement Excavation, General Excavation
- Farm Tile Installation, Repair, & Trenches
- Building & Structure Demolition & Disposal
- Tree Grubbing / Brush Removal & Disposal
- Utilities:
- Water Line Installation & Locate Underground Utilities
More detail provided on the Services page.
Questions? call Phil Hood.