Septic Cleaning & Septic Pumping:
Distinct Differences
Septic Pumping in
Penticton, BC
Septic pumping is a fairly standard service, one that can be undertaken every 3-4 years, depending on a number of factors.
Sometimes we’ll get a call from a customer looking to book a septic cleaning in Penticton. While we’re always happy to oblige, we insist on asking a few questions first… like “How old is your septic system?” “How much use does your septic system get – how many people are in the household?” … and, “When were the last septic pumping and septic cleaning that you had performed?”
Often times we find it’s just as likely that our customer will only need a septic pumping for now. This can save you money by not paying for something that you don’t need. And how does a septic pumping suffice? Think of septic pumping as preventive maintenance – it helps restore the natural flow and flora of your septic tank and helps prevent backflow, etc.
By booking a septic pumping in Penticton with D&L Environmental Services, you’ll get a visit by a friendly tech team with one of our famous vacuum trucks. During the septic pumping we’ll withdraw liquids and floating solids from the septic tank, and we’ll take a look at the overall condition to determine if and when a full septic cleaning would be necessitated.
Penticton Septic
Cleaning Services
Sometimes when we visit your home or property and assess your septic system in Penticton, we’ll reach the conclusion that a full septic cleaning is needed now. If so, we’ll let you know what we’re finding, why this is necessary and how much it will cost you (with our transparent pricing).
If there are any pressing matters such as backflow or drain flow issues, we’ll discuss these with you. One sign of the need for a full septic cleaning now would be a thicker sludge in the septic tank.
Once we have the green light from you, our crew will get to work on the septic cleaning. We’ll remove all the septic matter in the tank (liquid and sludge). This is performed with standard equipment and/or hydro jets which are used to free up the solid matter that can settle at the bottom of the tank over time. It’s a lot like pressing the reset button on your Penticton septic tank.
Whether you need a septic cleaning or septic pumping in Penticton, contact D&L Environmental Services today. We are a trusted and experienced provider of septic services in the Okanagan.
We are Licensed to transport the following Hazardous Waste:
- Paints
- Corrosives
- Contaminated Soil
- Flammable Liquids
- Oil
- Solvents
Septic System Diagram
Influent
Influent refers to the untreated raw sewage and waste water that flows into a septic tank. It is, essentially, the starting product in the tank.
Maintenance Access
This is the door or hatch at the top of septic tank that your provider (D&L!) will use to enter the tank for septic maintenance & septic repair.
Baffle
Septic tank baffles or “tees” direct incoming wastewater down into the tank, slowing it down to prevent spraying or pushing to drainfield.
Aeration & Mixing Chamber
An air pump is installed at or near the top of the tank, sending in air to aerate the waste water for biochemical oxidation.
Motor
Septic tanks are a motorized operation. The motor controls the aeration process. That means that preventive maintenance and septic tank servicing are required.
Hollow Shaft
Air is sent into septic tank wastewater directly through the hollow shaft of the aerator – meaning no air hose is needed = simpler installation & operation.
Aspirated Mixer
An air pump is installed at or near the top of the tank, sending in air to aerate the waste water for biochemical oxidation.
Sludge Return
Sludge is the material that has settled in the septic tank’s clarifier; the sludge return sends it back to the processing tank.
Baffle
Just like the other baffle (“tee”), this is an essential component of the septic tank as it prevents the materials from flowing out of control.
Settling Chamber
This is, at is essence, what a septic tank really is. Over time, solids & scum separate into different layers, and clear liquid heads on to the drainfield.
Effluent
The septic tank discharges a liquid called effluent or “gray water” into a series of perforated pipes buried in a leach field. Effluent is somewhat clear as it is sent out into the drain field.
Our Other Services
Vacuum Truck
We operate with advanced equipment including several types of hydrovac and vacuum trucks to solve your problems while respecting the environment. Our certified teams can pump anything from septic tanks to sludge ponds.
INDUSTRIAL VACUUM SYSTEM
Our industrial vacuums are perfect for large industries that want results. You get the cleaning power of commercial grade equipment at an affordable price backed by one of the finest warranties on the market.
HYDRO EXCAVATION
Our hydro-excavating and environmental hazardous waste clean-up service will get your job done faster and cheaper. Hydro Excavation is safer for both labourers and the environment, while providing higher accuracy.
SEWER BACKUP
Sewer backup is unsanitary and can be a serious health hazard in any building. Action must be taken immediately. We offer a proper cleanup, sanitization, and returning the waste, vent and drain systems to normal functionality.
SEPTIC CLEANING
Septic cleaning must be done by a trained professional since household wastewater contains disease-causing organisms and toxic chemicals. Our trained staff will keep your septic system running smoothly with regular cleanings.
SEPTIC PUMPING
Homeowners all over Canada have a septic tank on their property, having your septic system pumped regularly is important to keeping it operational. The frequency of pumping depends on the tanks usage and size.
Why you should trust us
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are septic cleaning and septic pumping the same thing?
- How often should you pump or clean a septic tank?
- Is septic cleaning expensive? Can I do this on my own?
Not quite.
Both septic cleaning and septic pumping involve removing fluids and other matter from a septic tank.
Septic pumping refers to the removal of liquid and some sludge from a septic tank. Septic cleaning, meanwhile, means that that all the water and compacted sludge from the bottom of the tank are being removed.
Is one preferable to the other? Actually while the terms should not be used interchangeably, the methods can effectively be used in tandem. Septic pumping can be performed on a regular basis, while septic cleaning can be reserved for less frequent occasions.
The terms are sometimes used as synonyms, but now you know they are in fact different!
By cleaning a septic tank on a regular basis (every 3-5 years), the solids can be removed fairly easily.
Sometimes when the sludge is heavy, a high-pressure water nozzle is used to remove the solids. Occasionally, we find solids so thick that they can’t be broken down. In these instances, re-pumping the tank in 6 -12 months is recommended.
Septic cleaning is a necessary investment for anyone who owns a property with a septic system. This is either a financial investment, or an investment in your time and effort. While there are DIY methods for septic cleaning, the time involved may vary, and – very frankly speaking – it is not a pleasant endeavour. That’s why homeowners rely on the pros to clean their septic systems. At D & L Environmental, we offer a fairly priced septic cleaning service, one that is professional and thorough. Proper cleaning now will help prevent more costly (and unpleasant) issues down the road.
D & L Environmental Ltd. has been doing business in the Okanagan for over 30 years. We have grown into the largest full service vacuum truck company in the BC Interior.
670 Beaver Lake Road
Kelowna, BC V4V 1S7
250-765-0999 (Main Number)
250-766-3260 (Lake Country)
250-769-8040 (West Kelowna)
250-769-8040 (Vernon)
Get in touch
D & L Environmental Ltd. has been doing business in the Okanagan for over 30 years. We have grown into the largest full service hydro vac & vacuum truck company in the BC Interior.
670 Beaver Lake Road
Kelowna, BC V4V 1S7
250-765-0999 (Main Number)
250-766-3260 (Lake Country)
250-769-8040 (West Kelowna)
250-769-8040 (Vernon)
236-425-2232 (Kamloops)
Get in touch
About us
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Contact
670 Beaver Lake Road
Kelowna, BC V4V 1S7
250-765-0999 (Main Number)
250-766-3260 (Lake Country)
250-769-8040 (West Kelowna)
250-769-8040 (Vernon)
236-425-2232 (Kamloops)