Over 50 years in the septic business means we hear some of the same questions from homeowners across the Fraser Valley again and again. Below, we have pulled together our most common questions and answered them the way we would if you called our shop directly, plus the resources we point customers to most often.
This is one of the most common calls we get. The fix is a manhole riser installed directly on your septic tank. We manufacture our own distribution boxes and stock Polylok risers, lids, and adapter rings, so once your tank is exposed the first time, a professional can set a riser that brings access up to ground level for good. After that, pumping and maintenance visits mean lifting a lid, not digging a hole.
On average, a well-maintained septic system lasts 20 to 30 years. Concrete tanks tend to hold up at the long end of that range, and the biggest factor working against any tank is neglect: skipped pumping, heavy chemical use, or driving vehicles over the tank and field.
Heavy rain saturates the drain field, and a saturated field cannot accept any more water until it drains down naturally. If you notice slow drains or standing water in the yard after a storm, cut back on laundry, dishwashing, and long showers for a day or two to give the field a chance to recover. If the problem shows up every time it rains, that is worth a call to a professional rather than waiting it out.
Yes, in large amounts. Your tank relies on bacteria to break down solids, and bleach, antibacterial soap, and harsh drain cleaners kill that bacteria along with everything else. Use these products sparingly and lean on natural or biodegradable cleaners where you can. A little bleach from normal laundry is not going to sink your system, but pouring it down the drain regularly will.
If you are not sure where your tank sits, call a professional to locate it before you plan any digging, landscaping, or pumping. Once it is found, this is the ideal time to have a manhole riser installed so you are not paying to relocate it again next time.
Pumping frequency comes down to tank size and how many people are using the system every day. As a general guide:
| Household size | Tank size | Recommended pumping interval |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 2 people | 1,000 gallons / two-chamber | Every 5 to 8 years |
| 3 to 4 people | 1,000 gallons / two-chamber | Every 3 to 5 years |
| 5 or more people | 1,500 gallons or larger | Every 2 to 3 years |
An effluent filter installs on the outlet pipe of your septic tank, right where wastewater leaves the tank and heads to the drain field. Its job is to catch solids before they can travel downstream and clog the field, which is one of the most expensive repairs a septic system can need. We stock effluent filters and the parts to service them, and they need to be cleaned on a regular basis, or they will back up on their own.
A faint septic smell now and then, especially right after pumping or heavy rain, is normal. A constant or strong odour is not. That usually points to a cracked lid, a failing seal, or a vent issue, and it is worth having a professional take a look before it turns into a bigger problem.
Older concrete tanks were often covered with solid slabs rather than a lid built for access. A professional can remove those slabs and install a new lid with proper manhole openings, which is the same fix we recommend for buried access covers above. It is a one-time job that saves you from digging every time the tank needs attention.
Watch for slow or gurgling drains, sewage odour indoors or out, soggy or unusually green patches over the drain field, and any sewage surfacing on the ground, particularly after rain. Any one of these on its own might be minor, but more than one at the same time usually means the system needs professional attention soon rather than later.
Grass is the safest cover for a tank and drain field. Shallow-rooted flowers and shrubs are generally fine a few feet out, but keep trees well away: root systems from willows, poplars, birch, and maples actively seek out the moisture in a septic field and can crack pipes or clog a tank over time. A good rule of thumb is to keep tree roots at least as far from the tank and field as the tree's expected mature height.
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Whether you are replacing a single part or updating your entire septic system yourself, we carry everything you need to get it running again: concrete and poly tanks, distribution boxes, pump chambers, manhole risers, effluent filters, and the accessories that go with them. Our team members will always take the time to answer your questions about our products, so you get expert advice alongside the parts.
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