Skip to content

Septic Tank Pumping

Routine septic pumping is a crucial step in maintaining a healthy system. Allowing your tank to become overly full could leave you in a dangerous or expensive situation. 

At Goodman Septic Services, it’s our goal to make septic services quick, reliable, and affordable. Whether you need a one-time pumping service or you want to schedule hassle-free regular appointments, we can work with you to create the perfect maintenance routine for your system. To get started, contact our team today!

worker pumping septic tank behind pump truck Septic Inspections by Goodman Sanitation in Troutdale OR

Importance of Septic Tank Pumping

When your septic tank is running smoothly, you probably don’t think about it very much. However, putting off routine pumping services could put you at risk of serious problems around your property:
  • Dangerously unhealthy conditions: Untreated wastewater is very dangerous to your health, which is why a backed up or overflowing septic tank is such a big problem. Failing to pump your tank could cause major health complications for you, your neighbors, and anybody who comes into contact with contaminated water.
  • Indoor plumbing problems: Pumping your septic tank removes solid waste and buildup from your system, which allows the unit to function easily. That increases efficiency and prevents your plumbing from getting clogged.
  • Flooding and property damage: If your septic becomes too full and floods your drainfield, it could cause a lot of property damage – especially if the wastewater reaches your home. 
  • Costly repairs to the septic system: Foregoing maintenance on your septic system puts stress on the unit, which could cause damage. Repairs to a damaged system are always more expensive than simple maintenance.
  • Environmental contamination: A leaking septic system is dangerous to more than just your own property. Wastewater can escape and leech into the water table or soil, contaminating it to the point that it’s unusable.

Why Goodman?

If it’s time to get your septic tank pumped, turn to the experts at Goodman Septic Services. With over 70 years of experience serving homeowners throughout the Portland OR area, we’re proud of the work we’ve done and can’t wait to work with you. To ensure the highest quality service, our team is:

  • DEQ Licensed and Bonded
  • Contractors Board Licensed
  • Members of the National Association of Waste Transporters
  • An approved onsite wastewater recycling treatment facility
    Committed to providing honest advice and reliable results

Quality Septic Tank Pumping Services

With the help of the experts at Goodman Septic Services, you can rest assured that your septic system is in good hands. Our experienced professionals take a partnered approach to maintenance and strive to support the long-term health of your septic system.

We have been serving home and property owners throughout the Portland OR metro area for over 70 years, and we are proud to offer proactive maintenance services that extend the life of your septic system. Contact us today to schedule your septic maintenance!

Septic Pumping FAQ

If you aren’t sure where your septic tank is located, there are a few steps you can follow to find out where it is. Here is how to find your septic tank:

  • Follow the sewer pipes: The sewer pipes in your home will lead right to your septic tank. If they are exposed, try following them to locate your tank.
  • Find the tank’s lid: Some tanks have a lid that is above ground. If you can identify the lid, then you’ll know right where the septic tank is.
  • Use a soil probe: A soil probe is a metal rod that you can poke into the ground until you touch the septic tank. This can be an effective option if there aren’t any other clues.
  • Get an inspection of the yard: If you aren’t able to find your septic tank on your own, a professional inspection can help you locate your system.

Knowing when to pump your tank can help you avoid unsanitary and damaging septic problems. Some common signs that your septic tank is full include:

  • Water pooling in your yard on the drainfield
  • Toilets, bathtubs, and sinks draining slowly
  • Grass is greener or more lush above the septic tank
  • Gurgling sounds throughout your plumbing
  • Foul odors around the septic drainfield
  • Your septic tank alert is going off

If your septic tank becomes too full, it could leak raw sewage into your drainfield or home. Raw sewage isn’t just unpleasant to deal with; it can also pose a threat to your family’s health, which is why it’s important to regularly get septic pumping services.

The best time to get your septic tank pumped is in the late spring or early autumn. During these times of year, the ground is soft from rainfall or snowmelt. Not only will excavation be easier, but emptying the tank can also help with drainage. Though summer can also be a good time to pump your septic tank, snow and frost during the winter can pose a big challenge.

Most homes should pump their septic tanks aroud once every 3 years. But there are a few other factors that can impact how often your septic tank needs to be pumped:

  • Number of people in the household: The more people in your household, the more wastewater you produce. Larger households will need to pump their system more frequently.
  • Size of your septic system: Larger septic systems can handle more waste, which means they don’t need to be pumped as often as smaller tanks.
  • How frequently you clean your drains: If you don’t clean your drains, more solid waste can travel through your pipes and into your septic system. This extra waste can fill your septic system faster, requiring you to pump it more often.
  • Age of your septic system: Older septic systems may not function as efficiently as newer tanks. If your septic tank is old, then it will likely need more maintenance and pumping than newer options.

  • Garbage disposal: If you use a garbage disposal in your kitchen, you might be surprised by how much more quickly your septic tank fill

Goodman Septic Services offers emergency septic services to keep your home protected 24/7. Our trained staff is available around the clock and can help with any problem, from leaking and flooding to slow drainage. With over 70 years of experience serving the Portland OR area, we’re confident that we can provide you with fast and effective solutions when you need them.

A good rule is that you should get your septic tank pumped every three to five years to keep it in good working order and reduce the chances it will burst. In this section, we’ll tell you everything you should know about how often your septic tank should be pumped.