Septic tank pumping is a specialized service offered by Roto-Rooter of the Quad Cities.

Septic tanks are self-contained sewage maintenance systems, usually for rural homes not connected to municipal sewer systems. Every toilet, sink, and laundry drain empties into the underground septic tank in the backyard. Liquid waste is dispersed into the septic system’s underground drain filtration lines while solid waste sinks to the bottom of the tank itself. Over time, a tank fills up and must be pumped out, on average, every 3-5 years. When a septic tank is full, it may overflow into your yard or cause sewage to back up into household drains until the septic tank is pumped out.

Roto-Rooter of the Quad Cities can remove all the waste from your septic tank and haul it away to a licensed waste receiving center to ensure it is safely and legally processed without risk to the environment.

Roto-Rooter can also locate your septic tank’s lid, which must be opened so that a pump hose can be pushed inside the tank before the vacuum truck can suck out the waste from your septic tank. The septic tank lid is usually several inches below ground and it may be difficult to find unless its location is marked with a stake or utility flag.

Homeowners with septic tanks should be aware of common signs that are symptomatic of septic tank problems:

• Slow drains are often the earliest sign that something is amiss with your septic tank or drain system.
• Pay attention to how quickly your toilet empties during a flush. Slow flushes are a strong indicator that the septic tank is struggling.,
• Sewage odors in your home or yard are indicative of septic tank trouble.
• Watch for pooling sewage in the yard, which could indicate your septic tank is full or its lateral drain field is damaged.