Septic Pumping in Washtenaw County, MI

If you are looking to Pump a Septic tank in Washtenaw County, MI you should give Shelars a call for a quote at (517) 764-1650. We have been pumping septic tanks in the greater Washtenaw county area for over 60 years. Our goal has always been to keep septic pumping prices affordable and provide a great service. Septic tank cleaning is often a neglected item for most households. However, pumping your septic tank on a regular basis can save you a great deal of frustration, time and money in the long run.   If you avoid pumping your septic tank what happens is that sludge gets pushed out into your drain field and it eventually clogs up your entire system and causes permanent damage.   Regretfully, people think that because their toilets flush, there is no need to pump their septic tanks on a regular basis. For a complete understanding of how your septic system works click this link and watch the video provided by Washtenaw County. It will help you visualize what happens inside your septic tank and help you realize the importance of maintaining your system. For other information about Septic Systems in Washtenaw County, click some of the links provided on this page. The Washtenaw County Health department is the governing entity that controls all septic related regulations in your area.   For instance, when you pump a septic tank in Washtenaw, MI you do not need to apply for a permit. However, if you are doing any kind of septic repairs and or improvements on a property located in Washtenaw, Michigan, you must apply for septic permit.   If you are building a new home and live in Washtenaw, you should check with the Washtenaw County Health department for helpful information about planning your septic system.   Each County has a Health Officer, who will come on site and assist you with evaluating your soil conditions and also with conducting a "Perk Test".   For a complete understanding of why a perk test and soil evaluation is necessary, read this wonderful article provided by Washtenaw County.

Pumping a septic tank in Washtenaw, County is relatively simple.   However, it is good to have a checklist of things you can do to ensure that your septic tank clean out goes according to your expectations. A list of such items includes the following:

1) Know Where Your Septic Tank and Lid is Located:  
If you do not know how to locate your septic tank and septic tank lid, you have several options. First you can call the Washtenaw County Health department and ask them to fax you a copy of your septic system plans.   The county maintains septic system information on every property that has a septic system in its geographical area. Note that homes built after 1990 are typically larger 1500 gallon tank systems and often have two septic tank lids.

2) Uncover The Dirt off the Septic Lid: (A Savings Point)
If you are digging the dirt off the lid and find that it is more than six inches below the ground, you should consider buying a new modern (Septic Riser) to eliminate the need to dig down to your lid in the future.   To view a septic riser see the (Septic Products) tab on our web site.     You do not need to remove the septic lid, just simply dig the dirt off the lid and we will remove it when we arrive to pump your septic tank.   If you are unable to dig the dirt off your septic lid, you can elect to pay us to locate your tank and dig it up for you for a small fee.

3) Keep a Septic System Maintenance Journal: (A Key to Protecting Your Expensive Drain field) Keeping an accurate Septic System Journal is an excellent way to ensure that your household use does not exceed the capacity of your tank.   When you have your septic tank pumped, you can see how many feet of solids have accumulated in the bottom or your tank.   You simply divide the number of feet by the number of years it has been since your last pumping to come up with a feet per year usage estimate for your records.   What you do not want to happen is to have the solids plug up the submerged baffle pipe exit which leads out to your drain field.   You also do not want the level of the solids to get close enough to that exit point where sludge can be washed out into your expensive drain field.
  
4) Know How Many Gallons Your Septic Tank Holds:
While it is not necessary to know how many gallons your tank holds prior to having us pump your septic tank, it is helpful to know to predict your actual cost. If you have a home built after 1990, the chances are that you have a larger 1500 gallon septic tank which has two lids.   If your home was built before 1990 then your tank is more likely to be one that holds 1000 gallons and usually has one lid.   This is based on Washtenaw County building codes and may varies from one county to the next. Septic tank sizes vary greatly as do septic system designs.   When the Washtenaw County Health Department issues a septic permit for your property they will ask you to provide certain key information about your property.   Items such as the number of bedrooms in the home help the Health Officer provide you with a plan for a system that will not only meet your needs, but will protect potential future buyers of your property.   If you have a three bedroom home, then you need a system that will support the maximum number of people who could live in such a home. So, even if you only have two people living there now, you still need a septic system that is large enough to operate properly if the house was fully occupied.

5) Use a fully Licensed and Insured Septic Hauler:
State and Federal laws require homeowners to use licensed haulers to ensure the safety of disposing of one of the most hazardous materials we humans produce. Each county is responsible for the safe treatment and disposal of septic waste. Septic Haulers are charged a per gallon rate to dispose of septic waste.   Your septic tank pumping bill is directly impacted by the cost imposed by Washtenaw County to dispose of and treat the septic waste materials.   The County disposal fee accounts for as much as 55 percent of the overall cost of pumping your septic tank.

For a quote on pumping your septic tank in Washtenaw County or in any one of the following counties, give Shelars a call at (517) 764-1650

Branch County
Calhoun County
Eaton County
Hillsdale County
Ingham County
Jackson County
Lenawee County

Visit our County Pages for key Septic Links in the County where you live.   Each County page also has a list of links to various townships in that county for your convenience in researching any local septic ordinances that may apply to your specific community.