Price is almost always the first question when it’s time to clean your septic tank. Why? Because who would rather spend their money on their septic tank instead of on something tangible or fun? We get it! But just because you don’t see it every day doesn’t mean it’s not an important investment to your home (and your health).

How Much Does Septic Cleaning Near Me Cost?

Pricing varies depending on accessibility, tank size, and where you are located. The requirements for dumping are getting stricter, resulting in huge increases, as recycling plants charge per gallon dumped. Some states require dumping in treatment plants (which is a good thing environmentally). In non-regulated states, you may find septic cleaning companies dumping on farmland or other waste sites. While not environmentally friendly, this reduces the cost.

Why Have a System Cleaned?

​The key reason for regular pump-outs is to prevent solid matter from entering the leach fields. As solid matter enters the septic tank, bacterial action inside the tank naturally breaks down the solids into sludge which then settles to the bottom of the tank. 

As the sludge layer builds inside the tank, it is more likely to become stirred up each time fluids enter the tank through the inlet. When this happens solid matter may begin to travel out of the tank along with the fluids into the leaching area. 

Over time the solid matter can clog the leaching area so that fluids can no longer properly exit the septic tank or drain into the underlying soils. Once the leaching area is damaged and no longer functioning correctly, you have a costly septic repair on your hands. 

Regular tank cleaning is a necessary and relatively inexpensive way to prevent this potential problem. A good rule-of-thumb is to have the tank cleaned out when the sludge layer occupies 1/3 of the septic tank.

How Often Does Septic Cleaning Need to Be Done?

It really depends on the tank size and your usage. This is something you can discuss with your septic pro when you have it performed. If you are a single person with a 500-gallon tank, you may need it done every 4 years but if the tank is older, you may want to have it emptied every 2 years. A family of four on a 1000-gallon tank will probably need service every 2 years. Again, it depends on the amount of usage. If you are a retired couple and homebound, you will use the septic system nearly twice as much as a working couple.

Cleaning out septic is not an involved procedure and can usually be done in a half-hour or so unless there are problems with your septic system.

Other Possible Costs with Septic Tank Clean Outs

You may have to pay extra for excavation if your unit doesn’t have risers installed that give easy access to the ports at ground level. 

Filters may also need to be replaced, to ensure that any solids don’t make it into the leach field. 

Lastly, there may be charges related to disposing of the waste. Though the pumper tanks remove it from your basin, they must take it to an approved facility for disposal. 

Our team always goes over expenses before beginning any work, so you will never be surprised with a bill.

Quality Technicians Are Worth the Price

For over 20 years, Greenville Septic has withstood the test of time as the leading septic pumping company, providing Greenville, South Carolina with septic services you can count on now and in the future. 

If you’d like to get a fast and free estimate based on the details of your septic system or would like to schedule an appointment to have your septic tank cleaned and pumped, call us and we’re glad to help!