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A septic tank is a watertight, underground container that receives and partially treats wastewater from a home. It's usually made of concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene and is typically located 10–50 feet from the house. Septic tanks effectively filter waste as it enters the soil, but they're only a basic form of sewage treatment. Depending on the size of the tank and how many people use it, a septic system may only need to be pumped every 3–5 years. As part of maintenance, the sludge layer that forms at the bottom of the tank needs to be periodically removed.

Here's how a septic tank works:

1. 1. Wastewater from the house's main drainage pipe flows into the tank.
2. 2. Heavy solids sink to the bottom of the tank and form sludge, while lighter solids and grease float to the top and form scum.
3. 3. Bacteria in the tank break down the solids over 24–48 hours.
4. 4. The liquid wastewater, called effluent, exits the tank through compartments and a T-shaped outlet and flows into a drain field. The drain field is a shallow, covered excavation in unsaturated soil where the liquid is absorbed.

Before we send our trucks out, we have already gotten to work by coordinating with the town to have your site plan on file telling us what size tank you have. We also receive an as built drawing depicting the measurements of where your tank is located. During a routine septic pumping, you can expect a clean Nauset Septic truck to show up within your expected date range with a friendly driver and helper. After locating, and lifting the covers, we will prepare the hoses for pumping. Once everything is ready, the truck's pump will be engaged and run at a low roar. There is minimal odor, and the average pumping takes approximately 30 minutes. After the tank is pumped our crew will put back the cover and do our best to put back all landscaping to make it look like we were never there. Subsequently, our office will notify the town of the pumping and gallons pulled then you can expect to receive an emailed invoice of your pumping within a few days.

We charge based on your septic tank sizes. The Outer Cape typically has two tank sizes: 1,000g and 1,500g. Our pricing includes digging up to 1’ to open the cover, pumping the contents, backfilling the cover, disposing of the cover at the treatment facility, and reporting the pumping to the town. Please give us a call for the most up-to-date prices. Prices vary on commercial properties and holding tanks.

No, septic pumping is all outside work, so there is no need to be there. If you have questions about your tank or location, we would happily answer them over the phone and leave a maker for the tank location.

Not to worry, with every address, we coordinate with the town to pull your septic and as-built plans. This allows you to see exactly where your tank and components are located and what size the tank is. After each pumping, we also record each pumping with the town to keep your pumping record up to date. If you would like ot know when your tank was last pumped, please contact your local board of health.

A septic emergency is a situation that requires our immediate attention and may involve issues with your septic system, such as:

1. 1. Gurgling sounds - A sign of a septic blockage that could lead to leaks or overflows in your home or on your property.
2. 2. Foul odors - A sign that your septic tank is filling up and odor-causing gasses are escaping from your toilets or the area around the tank.
3. 3. Sewage backup - A severe clog or backup problem that most homeowners can't fix on their own.
4. 4. Wet or flooded drain field - The ground above your septic tank or drain field is wetter than the rest of your yard, which could indicate flooding.
5. 5. Clogged pipes or drain lines - Debris, roots, grease, and other substances can build up in your pipes and drain lines, causing clogs that can lead to wastewater backing up into your sinks, showers, or toilets.
6. 5. Full septic tank - If your tank is full, it can't accept any more waste and may cause sewage to back up into your home.
7. 6. Tub drains slowly - A sign that there may be an obstruction in your drains that could lead to sewage backing up into your sinks and showers.
8. 7. Drainfield pooling - Water seeping out around the drain field could indicate that the tank is full and a clog is preventing wastewater from being processed.