Frequently Asked Questions

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Preparing is simple:

1. Expose your lids; unless we’re digging them out.
2. Clear access to the tank (move vehicles, open gates, unlock backyard areas).
3. Keep pets inside during service.
4. Tell us if the system is backing up so we can bring proper equipment.

If you’re not sure where your tank is, we can help locate it, just let us know ahead of time!

If you already know where they are, yes - please uncover them before the appointment.
If you’re unsure or unable, we offer:

• Lid locating
• Dig-out services
• Camera locating 

Not usually. As long as:

• Lids are exposed
• Access is open
• We can reach the tank

We can complete the pump-out and send you before/after photos with your invoice.

Standard residential septic or holding tank:

• 45–60 minutes if lids are exposed
• 60–90 minutes if line flush or camera is included
• + extra time if locating, digging, or multiple tanks

Commercial jobs vary depending on size and volume 

We accept:

• Credit card
• Debit
• E-transfer
• Cheque
• EFT for commercial/industrial accounts

Closer is always better.

Our hose reaches 180+ feet, but ideal access is 50 feet or less for the best vacuum performance and fastest service.

Not unless requested.

Heavy trucks can damage soft ground or get stuck, so we stay on:

• Driveways
• Gravel
• Firm access areas

We’ll ask you before we move onto grass.

Please provide the code or ensure someone is available to open.

We’ll text when we're on the way with an eta.

This varies based on the amount of people in the house, the type of toilet paper used, the type of chemical cleaners used in the house and the size of the tank.

Average Fraser Valley home:

• Every 2-5 years for standard families
• Every 1–2 years if you have a large household, rental suite, or small tank
• Annually for older systems with slower fields

Common signs:

• Slow drains
• Gurgling toilets
• Wet areas over the tank
• Strong sewage smells
• Your last pump was 2–5 years ago
• You have a rental suite or AirBnB

Most Abbotsford-area single-family homes have:

• 600-800 gallon tanks (older homes built before 2005)
• 1,200–1,500 gallon tanks (newer homes)
• Larger if you have multiple bedrooms or a suite

We can confirm size based on disposal volume after pumping, or if you have a newer system there will be a filing for it with Fraser Health

Our pump-out includes:

• Sludge Judge testing to ensure the tank requires a pump out
• Removing all liquid and solids
• Pulling out and cleaning filter (if applicable)
• Checking inlet & outlet baffles (if both are accessible)
• Checking for backup signs, giving recommendations for maintenance schedule based on what we find 
• Hauling away waste for proper disposal
• Photos before and after of everything we have done on the invoice

Add-ons available:

• Line flushing
• Camera inspection
• Tank locating
• Emergency Reset Package

Yes:

• Weekly
• Biweekly
• Monthly
• Or custom frequency

We also provide scheduled service for commercial/industrial facilities.

Contact Us Immediately
A backup usually means:

• The tank is full
• The line to the tank is plugged
• A grease clog is stuck in the pipe
• Field or outlet issues are blocking flow

We offer Emergency Backup Reset Packages including pump, flush, and camera to ensure it won't happen agin, with a 90 day no back up guarantee.

Sometimes — but not always.

A tank pump-out only removes what’s in the tank.
If the line to the tank is clogged, the backup will come back.

That’s why we recommend a:

• Line flush - to clear whats left in the pipe
• Camera inspection - to find out why the it backed up in the first place

See our Emergency Reset Package if this applies to you

Yes.

Turn off:

• Showers
• Laundry
• Dishwasher

When you are fully backed up, if water is going down your toilet, its coming up somewhere else. Usually it comes out of the lowest drain in the house, often the mechanical room.

See our Emergency Reset Package if this applies to you.

Most common causes we see:

• Grease build-up
• Wipes/paper towels
• Roots in the line
• Collapsed pipe
• Full tank
• Plugged filter
• Plugged inlet baffle

Yes.
We offer:

• Locating via plans
• Transmitter locating
• Camera locating
• Probing

Most tanks are within 5–20 feet of the foundation.

• 6–18 inches on older homes
• Level with grade on newer installations
• Deep lids happen when homeowners add soil, landscape, or build garden beds over tanks

We can install riser lids so you never have to dig again.

Never flush:

• Baby wipes
• Sanitizing wipes
• Floss
• Tampons
• Paper towel
• Q-tips
• Food grease
• Flushable wipes (they are NOT flushable)

These cause 80%+ of clogs we fix.

• Avoid putting grease down the sink
• Pump the tank regularly
• Spread out laundry loads
• Don’t drive heavy vehicles over the septic area
• Fix leaky toilets ASAP (constant running fills the tank fast and saturates the septic field)
• Install risers for easy access
• Don’t plant large trees near the tank or field

• Generally, no.
  A normal household produces enough natural bacteria to run a healthy system.
  Enzymes can help in specific cases but aren’t required.

Recommended if:

• You have recurring backups
• The system is 20+ years old
• You’re buying/selling the home
• You’ve never seen the condition of your line
• You suspect roots or crushed pipe
  

Ideal when:

• Tank is backing up
• You pump regularly but still get slow drains
• Lots of grease in the line
• You run a daycare or AirBnB
• You haven’t flushed the line in 5+ years