Septic Pumping
For tanks that are due for routine service, have gone years without pumping, or need emptying before a repair or inspection.
Septic system services
Septic Services in Coos Bay, Coquille and the South Coast
Econo Rooter Services, Inc. provides septic services for homes and businesses across Coos County, northern Curry County and Reedsport, from septic tank pumping and inspections to repairs, new system installation, advanced treatment unit maintenance and commercial WPCF maintenance. As an Oregon DEQ licensed septic installer and pumper based in Coquille, the team works on every part of a septic system.
- Oregon DEQ licensed septic installer and septic pumper
- Residential, commercial and real estate septic work
- Registered Orenco AdvanTex service provider
- Serving the South Coast since 2000
How septic systems work
How a Septic System Works
A septic system treats household wastewater on the property instead of sending it to a city sewer. Wastewater flows from the house into a buried septic tank, where solids settle to the bottom as sludge and grease floats to the top as scum. The liquid in between, called effluent, flows out to a drain field, where it soaks into the soil and is treated as it moves through it.
The parts of a septic system
- Building sewer. The pipe that carries all wastewater from the house or building to the septic tank.
- Septic tank. A watertight tank that holds wastewater long enough for solids to settle as sludge and grease to rise as scum, while bacteria break down part of the waste.
- Outlet and effluent filter. An outlet baffle, often fitted with a filter, keeps sludge and scum in the tank so only liquid moves on.
- Pump tank and controls (some systems). Where the drain field sits higher or needs even dosing, a pump moves the liquid on, with floats and an alarm that signal a problem.
- Treatment unit (some systems). An advanced treatment unit cleans the liquid further before it reaches the soil, on sites where soil alone cannot do enough.
- Drain field. Perforated pipes in gravel or chambers spread the liquid through the soil, where the final treatment happens.
Because the solids stay in the tank, they build up over time and have to be removed by septic pumping. When they are not, they can move into the drain field and clog the soil, which is a far harder problem to fix than a full tank.
Types of septic systems
Common Types of Septic Systems
The main types of septic systems are conventional gravity systems, pressure distribution systems, sand filter systems and advanced treatment systems, plus larger permitted systems for commercial properties. Which type a property uses depends on its soil, groundwater depth, slope and lot size, as determined by a site evaluation.
| System type | How it works | Usually used where | What it needs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional gravity system | Effluent flows downhill from the tank into drain field trenches by gravity. | Soil drains well and groundwater sits deep enough. | Periodic inspection and tank pumping. |
| Pressure distribution system | A pump doses effluent evenly through small pipes across the drain field. | Sloped lots, shallower soils, or where even distribution matters. | Pump, float and alarm checks along with tank pumping. |
| Sand filter system | Effluent passes through a lined bed of sand for extra treatment before it reaches the drain field. | Sites where the soil alone cannot provide enough treatment. | Regular inspection of the filter, pump and controls. |
| Advanced treatment unit | A packaged unit, such as an Orenco AdvanTex system, treats effluent to a higher level before dispersal. | Difficult sites with high groundwater or limited space. | Scheduled maintenance by a registered provider. |
| Commercial or WPCF system | Larger systems serving businesses or multiple buildings under a Water Pollution Control Facilities permit. | Facilities with higher wastewater flows. | The maintenance required by the permit. |
Not sure which type of system your property has? The septic permit, an as-built drawing or a past inspection report usually says, and an inspection can confirm it on site.
Our septic services
Septic Services for Every Stage of a System
Septic Repairs and Installations
For failed components, a drain field that has stopped accepting water, or a property that needs a new or replacement system.
Site Evaluations
For a lot that needs a septic system for the first time, or a replacement system where site conditions have to be confirmed.
Advanced Treatment Maintenance
For properties with an AdvanTex or similar treatment unit that needs service on a set schedule.
Commercial Maintenance (WPCF)
For businesses and facilities whose onsite systems operate under a Water Pollution Control Facilities permit.
Real Estate Septic Inspections
For buyers, sellers and agents who need the condition of a septic system documented before closing.
System lifespan
How Long Does a Septic System Last?
How long a septic system lasts depends on the tank material, the soil, how the system is used and how consistently it is maintained. The tank often outlasts the drain field, and a drain field overloaded with solids or water can fail long before the tank does. There is no single number that fits every property, which is why a system's condition is judged by inspection rather than by age alone.
What shortens a system's life
- Solids reaching the drain field because the tank was not pumped
- Too much water at once from back-to-back laundry, leaks or roof drains
- Grease, wipes and harsh chemicals going down the drains
- Vehicles, sheds or paving over the drain field
- Tree and shrub roots growing into the lines
What helps a system last
- Inspections on schedule and pumping when the tank needs it
- Spreading water use through the day and week
- A drain field kept clear, grass-covered and free of traffic
- Fixing running toilets and dripping fixtures promptly
- Servicing pumps and treatment units on their maintenance schedule
Septic system maintenance
Septic System Maintenance: Who Handles What
Septic system maintenance is shared between the property owner and a septic professional. The owner controls what goes into the system day to day, while a professional inspects it, pumps the tank when needed and services any pumps or treatment units.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends having a typical household system inspected by a septic professional at least every three years, and systems with pumps, float switches or other mechanical parts inspected more often, generally once a year. For day-to-day habits that protect a system, read septic tank maintenance basics.
The property owner
- Keep records of every pumping, inspection and repair
- Know where the tank lids and drain field are (how to find the lid)
- Watch for warning signs such as odors or wet ground
- Book inspections on schedule rather than waiting for a backup
- Share the records with a buyer when the property sells
A septic professional
- Inspect the tank, outlet, pump and drain field
- Pump the tank when sludge and scum levels call for it
- Repair failed components and document what was found
- Service advanced treatment units on their required schedule
- Maintain WPCF permitted systems to the permit's requirements
Septic care over time
Septic Care Through the Life of a System
-
Site evaluation and design
A new system starts with an evaluation of the soil and site, which decides the system type and layout before a permit is issued.
-
Installation
The tank, any pump or treatment unit, and the drain field are installed by a DEQ licensed installer and inspected before use.
-
Routine pumping and inspection
Over the years, the tank is pumped when it needs it, the system is inspected, and pumps and treatment units are serviced on schedule.
-
Repairs and property sales
When a component fails it is repaired, and when the property sells, a real estate septic inspection documents its condition.
Why Econo Rooter
One Licensed Team Across Every Septic Service
Septic work in Oregon spans several licenses and certifications, and Econo Rooter Services holds them under one company: Oregon DEQ licenses as a septic installer and septic pumper, DEQ certification for real estate septic inspections and for septic system operation and maintenance, recognition as a DEQ maintenance provider for advanced treatment systems, and registration as an Orenco AdvanTex service provider.
That means the same local team can evaluate a site, install the system, pump and inspect it for years afterward, service its treatment unit and document its condition when the property sells. Econo Rooter Services has worked on the South Coast since 2000, operates from its office in Coquille, and has earned over 300 Google reviews from customers across the South Coast. See every license on the certifications page.
Septic questions
Common Questions About Septic Systems
How often should a septic system be inspected?
The U.S. EPA recommends having a typical household septic system inspected by a septic service professional at least every three years. Systems with pumps, float switches or other mechanical components, such as advanced treatment units, should be inspected more often, generally once a year. How often the tank itself needs pumping is a separate question that depends on tank size and household use.
How long does a septic tank last?
How long a septic tank lasts depends mainly on what it is made of, the soil around it, and how well the system is maintained. A tank that is pumped when needed and protected from heavy loads can serve a property for many years, and the drain field often needs attention before the tank does. An inspection is the reliable way to judge a system's condition.
What should not go into a septic system?
Keep grease and cooking oil, wipes (including those labeled flushable), paper towels, feminine products, coffee grounds, paint, solvents and other harsh chemicals out of a septic system. These either do not break down in the tank or harm the bacteria that treat the waste, and they can clog the tank outlet and the drain field.
Is a septic inspection the same as septic pumping?
A septic inspection and septic pumping are different services. An inspection checks the condition of the tank, its components and the drain field, while pumping removes the sludge and scum that collect in the tank. The two are often done on the same visit, since an empty tank is easier to inspect.
Who is responsible for maintaining a septic system?
The property owner is responsible for maintaining a septic system on their property, including inspections, pumping and repairs. Properties with advanced treatment units also need ongoing service from a maintenance provider, and facilities operating under a WPCF permit must meet the maintenance requirements written into that permit.
