Your septic tank handles the waste your family sends down the drain. When it gets full of sludge, the wastewater has nowhere else to go.
Routine septic tank cleanings help prevent inconvenient clogs. A technician usually uses a large vacuum truck to remove waste from the tank. Then they clean and inspect the tank before covering it up. Contact Septic Tank Cleaning Perth now!

Many homeowners give their septic system little attention until something goes wrong. A foul backup indoors or a soggy mess in the yard tells them it’s time for a quick fix. But avoiding these costly surprises comes down to keeping up with regular maintenance. Two vital maintenance services are septic tank pumping and septic system cleaning. But do you know the difference between the two? Many septic professionals use the terms interchangeably, but there’s a big difference!
Septic tank pumping is a relatively straightforward process that’s performed to remove liquid waste and floating solids. It’s typically recommended that tanks be pumped every three to five years. But usage, tank size and other factors can shorten or lengthen this service interval. An inspection is the best gauge of your tank’s fill level and scum accumulation, which determines the frequency of pumping.
During a routine septic tank pumping, the sludge layer at the bottom is removed along with any scum that has accumulated on top. This helps restore the tank’s biome and prevents solid waste from clogging drains and damaging the system’s interior components.
While septic tank pumping eliminates excess sludge, it does not thoroughly clean the septic system. To do so, professional septic tank cleaners must thoroughly agitate the internal structure of the tank and its baffles to dislodge and separate the solid waste from the liquid effluent and scum layers. After separating the waste, the cleaners then vacuum the solid debris away.
The core objective of septic tank cleaning is to completely reset the entire septic system. While septic tank pumping focuses on the tank itself, cleaning tackles all the system’s internal components including the distribution boxes, the drain field lines and the septic tank itself. During a comprehensive septic tank cleaning, all solid materials are removed from the system, significantly reducing early failure risks.
During the septic system cleaning process, the septic tank access lids are opened and the drain fields are exposed to allow the cleaner to see the condition of each component. This allows them to identify any septic system repair needs and provide timely repairs before damage occurs.
While septic system cleaning and pumping are the most common maintenance services, a wide range of additional services are available. Some of these include:
Septic Tank Inspection
Septic tank inspections are performed regularly on septic systems to check for the presence of solid waste and clogs. This is a vitally important step in septic system maintenance, as these issues can lead to sewage backups in the home and contaminated groundwater. Fortunately, many of these problems can be avoided through regular septic tank cleaning and routine inspections.
During a septic tank inspection, a professional technician will first remove the septic tank lid and observe the liquid level inside. This will help them determine whether a septic tank cleaning is necessary. The general rule is that the tank should be empty when the scum layer is within six inches of the septic tank preventative outlet, and the sludge layer is no more than 12 inches above it. If the septic tank is full, it may be time to consider septic tank pumping.
The inspector will also check the septic tank for structural integrity and other signs of damage. They will inspect the baffles and other parts of the septic tank to ensure that they are intact and functioning properly. They will then conduct a flow test on the septic system. This is done by running water through the house and observing how quickly the wastewater disperses.
In addition, the inspector will examine the septic drain field for signs of infiltration and other problems. The drain field is responsible for sending the wastewater from the septic tank into the soil, where it can be treated by the groundwater. Infiltration is an issue that can be difficult to detect, but one that septic tank inspection and cleaning services are designed to address.
Another common issue that can be detected during a septic tank inspection is cracking in the septic tank. This can be extremely dangerous, and it is generally considered an urgent issue that requires immediate repair. The septic tank inspector will generally examine the area around the D-box (a component between the septic tank and the drain field that distributes the wastewater to the drain field lines). They will look for signs of wetness in the soil and sinkholes that could indicate a cracked septic tank. They will also look at the distribution box for signs of cracking or damage.
Drain cleaning
If you own a home with a septic tank, there is a good chance that at some point, the drains will become blocked or slow to flow. Fortunately, there are a few things that you can do to prevent this from happening and to keep your septic tank healthy for years to come.
One of the most common causes of clogged drains is flushing items that aren’t biodegradable. This includes items such as flushable wipes, cotton swabs, and paper towels. These items don’t break down in the septic system and can end up clogging the pipes or damaging the septic tank itself, leading to costly repairs for the homeowner.
Another way to help prevent clogged drains is to use septic-safe drain cleaners. These products are designed to be effective at unclogging drains without disrupting the delicate bacterial balance in the septic tank or causing harm to the environment. Many homeowners attempt to unclog their own drains by using harmful chemical-based cleaners such as Drano(r) or Liquid Plumber(r). However, these chemicals are detrimental to the bacteria that live in your septic tank and can lead to serious damage to your plumbing and the surrounding environment.
If you encounter a clogged drain, try mixing baking soda and vinegar to create a fizzing reaction that can dislodge the blockage. This tried and true method is septic-safe, inexpensive, and easy to use. For more stubborn clogs, you can also try slowly pouring boiling water down the affected drain. Be sure to allow the water to cool completely before attempting to use the drain again.
Repairs
As wastewater flows through septic pipes, lighter solids such as coffee grounds and lint will rise to the top of the tank while heavier materials will sink and compile into a thick layer known as sludge. This separation keeps these substances from clogging pipes and straining soil absorption areas. However, solid waste accumulates over time and reduces the amount of space available for wastewater storage in the septic tank. Inspecting the septic tank to identify problems is the first step in maintaining proper system functioning. Regular pumping and cleaning services ensure safe containment levels and optimal wastewater treatment.
Septic system cleaners use a specialized process that removes sludge from a septic tank, clears obstructions and restarts normal wastewater treatment. They begin with an interior tank inspection, taking depth readings of the scum and sludge layers to determine how much of each must be evacuated. They then insert an intake hose into the manhole and connect to a vacuum pump truck to evacuate waste. The waste is then transported to a certified disposal facility, adhering to strict environmental and regulatory guidelines.
During the septic tank cleaning process, technicians also check for and repair small cracks, holes, or structural damage in the septic tank and its baffles. They also clean all septic tank access points, check for and repair broken lids and couplings, and remove the drain field line baffles to ensure that wastewater disperses evenly in the drain field after cleaning.
If your septic system hasn’t been pumped in the past three to five years, or if you notice blocked drains and foul odors, it’s time for a septic tank cleaning. Regular septic tank cleaning prevents system blockages, maintains optimum wastewater treatment and increases the lifespan of your septic system.