If it’s time to pump out your septic tank or get it certified for a real estate transaction, be sure to call All-American Septic Pumping and Services! We have more 5-star ratings than any other septic company in San Diego County.

You may not be sure what to expect if this is your first time pumping your septic tank. Knowing what will take place can save you time and help you better understand how your septic system operates.

What to Expect Before, During, and After a Septic Pump-Out

You will find your experience with us top-notch from the get-go. A knowledgeable representative will gladly schedule your next appointment and answer any questions you have.

When All-American Septic Pumping and Services arrives at your property, you will be greeted by a friendly and professional technician. Our technician will ask you where the tank is located. If you are not sure where your tank is located, you can review your home’s “as-built” to find the tank location, look for manhole covers to the tank, or ask the contractor who built the house where the tank is located. If none of these options work, we can help you locate the tank (for an additional fee) using a water probe or flushable transponder.

Once the tank is located, it’s time to remove the lids from either the top of the tank or the risers. If the lids have not already been exposed, we can certainly dig them up for an additional fee. The lids must be removed in order to gain access to the inlet and outlet compartments of the tank. We don’t recommend that homeowners remove lids. We have the right equipment to do the job!

Now the pumping can begin. Our technicians will pump out waste from both sides of the tank using a state-of-the-art vacuum truck. Removing all waste from both sides is the best way to prevent sludge build-up.

A visual inspection will be performed once the tank is emptied. At this time, our technicians will recommend any repairs that may need to be performed and suggest when the next maintenance pump should be scheduled (3, 4, or 5 years). Since every home and septic system is different, expect them to consult with you to develop a maintenance schedule that will accommodate your home and system.

We strongly recommend following the suggested timeline for maintenance pumping. It’s the best way to ensure that your system is operating properly.

If your tank is more than below 6 inches of the surface, we will always suggest installing risers to meet the current code.

For real estate transactions: a 30-minute water test will be conducted prior to the pumping of the septic tank. This process allows us to determine if the drain field is taking on liquid. The rest of the inspection is completed after the tank has been pumped. Please note that in order to complete an inspection, the tank must be pumped.