How to pump out / clean a septic tank, step by step photo-illustrated guide
Before starting, some safety warnings for septic pumpers and homeowners
When to pump, how to find the septic tank, inspect before opening the tank; removing the tank cover
How the pumper truck or vacuum truck is operated
Tank inspection before pumping; Actually pumping out the septic tank; inspections while pumping
Washing the septic tank after pumping, inspecting the tank after pumping
Closing the septic tank, recording the septic tank location, advising homeowners
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This document provides a step by step, photo-illustrated guide to opening, pumping, and inspecting septic tanks,
how a conventional septic tank is
located, opened, pumped out, cleaned, and inspected. This guideline is intended for septic pumping tank truck
operators and as general information for homeowners or septic service companies concerned with septic system care.
The steps in servicing a septic tank are listed below, accompanied by
photographs that show each of the critical steps in pumping, cleaning, and inspecting a septic tank.
Readers should see Septic Tank Pumping Frequency Guide for a table explaining when to schedule a septic cleanout.
Citation of this article by reference to this website and brief quotation for the sole purpose of review are permitted. Use of this information at other websites, in books or pamphlets for sale is reserved
to the author. Technical reviewers are welcome and are listed at "References."
This is a chapter of Inspecting, Testing, & Maintaining Residential Septic Systems an online book on septic systems.
A Photographic Guide to Pumping & Cleaning Out a Septic Tank
Pumping Out the Septic Tank
The operator may use a muck-rake, an instrument resembling a long hoe, to
stir sludge on the tank bottom during pumping to aid in sludge removal.
The operator uses the muck raking tool to break up both the floating scum layer and settled sludge
layer in the septic tank. A few minutes are spent with this tool before pumping begins.
During pumping the operator continues to use this tool to break up and pump out the floating scum layer in the septic tank.
With the vacuum lines all connected, the pumper truck's vacuum pump operating, and
the muck rake inserted into the septic tank, tank cleanout can begin.
The operator moves both the vacuum line and the muck rake continuously
during the pumping operation, to break up scum and sludge, to mix these
materials with effluent in the tank, and thus to remove them with
the vacuum hose. The breakup of sludge and scum and the mixing of them
with tank effluent permits easy removal with the vacuum hose.
After removal of the scum layer and the first several inches of effluent, an astute septic pumper operator
may pause the pumping operation and even shut off the pumper truck for a moment to listen. If one hears
septic effluent spilling back into the septic tank from the tank outlet line the operator has learned that
the drain field is saturated, in failure, and is going to need replacement. This is valuable information which may
otherwise be tough to obtain.
If the septic tank is plastic or fiberglass it may have a bottom or side plug.
The operator should be alert for
possible accidental removal and loss of the tank plug during pumping as without the plug the tank will drain improperly into
surrounding soil. Lost plugs will need replacement.
The photo shows a rectangle of floating scum layer material that has fallen from
the septic tank inlet baffle area as the effluent level in the tank drops.
Septic service operators call this the "pillow" and its appearance is important.
If this material is left in the tank baffles the system may become clogged.
Pumping continues to remove effluent and settled sludge. Septic effluent is mixed with sludge on the tank bottom
to aid in its removal.
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Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.
Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.
Special thanks to M & O Sanitation, Dutchess County NY (845) 471-0308 for permitting us to photograph steps during septic system service at our demonstration property.
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
Our recommended books about building design, inspection, and repair, and about indoor environment testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore.
Septic Tank Inspection Procedure - How to Inspect Septic Tanks and evaluate the septic tank condition, baffles, sludge levels, damage, evidence of septic failure, etc.
Planting Over Septic Systems: trees, shrubs, groundcover over the septic system: what can you plant over or near septic system components without causing a problem?
SPOTTING SEPTIC BREAKOUTS - Spotting Dyed Septic Effluent Breakout Outside - Where Septic Dye is Likely to Show Up During a Septic Dye
Pennsylvania State Fact Sheets relating to domestic wastewater treatment systems include
Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-161, Septic System Failure: Diagnosis and Treatment
Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-162, The Soil Media and the Percolation Test
Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-l64, Mound Systems for Wastewater Treatment
Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-165, Septic Tank-Soil Absorption Systems
Document Sources used for this web page include but are not limited to: Agricultural Fact Sheet #SW-161 "Septic Tank Pumping," by Paul D. Robillard and
Kelli S. Martin. Penn State College of Agriculture - Cooperative Extension, edited and annotated by
Dan Friedman (Thanks: to Bob Mackey for proofreading the original source material.)
InspectAPedia® Home & Site Map - Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair, & Problem Prevention Advice: In-depth research & advice on diagnosing, testing, correcting, & preventing building defects & indoor environmental hazards. Unbiased information, no conflicts of interest.
The Mold Information Center: What to Do About Mold in Buildings, When and How to Inspect for Mold, Clean Up Mold, or Avoid Mold Problems
Environmental Inspection, Testing, & Diagnosis On-Site IAQ, Gas, Air Testing, Mold Investigation, Sick Building Diagnosis, Lab Services, & Remediation Plan Preparation - indoor air quality testing, problem source determination, supporting lab work, written remediation plan addressing removal of environmental and other hazards and prevention of their recurrence.