Many septic problems start with a tank that’s overdue for pumping, and a pump-out solves them the same day. Others, such as a broken pipe, a failed leach field or a damaged baffle, need a septic installer or a plumber. D&L Environmental pumps septic tanks, cleans effluent filters and adds risers; we don’t install systems or repair pipes, pumps, baffles or leach fields. Each time we pump, though, we look over the open tank and tell you what we see, so you know who to call next.
Problems we can fix on a service visit
- A tank that’s full or overdue. Slow drains throughout the house, gurgling and odours near the tank often clear up once the sludge and scum are removed.
- A backup caused by a full tank. Pumping drops the level and the house drains again right away.
- Emergency relief. Even when the root cause is elsewhere, pumping the tank down can stop sewage coming into the house while you arrange a repair.
- Heavy, compacted sludge. A high-pressure water nozzle breaks it up so it can be removed. If it’s too thick to clear in one visit, we’ll recommend pumping again in six to twelve months.
- A clogged effluent filter. A blocked filter at the tank outlet can slow drains and back wastewater up into the house. Our crew cleans the filter at pump-out.
- Lids that are hard to reach. If your lids are buried, we can add risers so the tank can be opened without digging next time.
- Getting ready for an inspection or a repair. An empty tank lets an inspector or installer see its walls, baffles and outlet.
Problems that need an installer or a plumber
- Broken, crushed or root-filled pipes between the house and the tank, or between the tank and the field
- A failed leach field, where effluent surfaces in the yard or the ground stays soggy even after pumping
- Damaged or missing baffles or outlet tees
- A pump, float or alarm that has stopped working in a pump chamber
- Mechanical problems with a treatment unit
- A cracked tank, or groundwater leaking into it
- Fitting a new effluent filter where the tank doesn’t have one, or installing a new system
Pumping can still help with several of these by lowering the level while you wait for the repair, but it won’t fix the cause.
How to tell which one you have
| What you notice | Likely cause | Who to call |
|---|---|---|
| Several drains slow; tank not pumped in years | Full tank | Septic pumping |
| Drains slow; the effluent filter hasn’t been cleaned in a while | Clogged effluent filter | Septic pumping (we clean the filter) |
| Sewage coming up through the lowest drains | Full tank or a blocked line | Septic pumping first; a plumber if the tank isn’t full |
| One slow sink or toilet, everything else fine | Local clog | Plumber |
| Backup returns soon after pumping | Blocked outlet or line, or a failing field | Septic installer |
| Soggy, smelly ground over the field, even after pumping | Failing leach field | Septic installer |
| Alarm on a pump chamber or treatment unit | Pump, float or power fault | Septic installer or the system’s service provider |
| Sewer smell indoors, drains working | Dry trap or vent problem | Plumber |
What we check while your tank is open
Once the tank is empty, our crew can see things that are hidden the rest of the time: the condition of the walls, the inlet and outlet, and signs that solids have been reaching the field. We’ll tell you what we saw and whether it looks like something to raise with an installer. This visual check isn’t a full system inspection. If you’re buying or selling a home, hire a qualified inspector as well. Our article on septic tank inspections explains the difference.
Keep small problems small
The cheapest septic repair is the one you never need. Pump the tank on schedule, keep wipes and grease out of the system, and protect the leach field. If a problem does start, book a pump-out early, before solids reach the field.
D&L Environmental pumps septic tanks for homes, businesses, strata properties and mobile home parks from Vernon to Peachland, with 24/7 emergency service. Request service online, call 250-765-0999, or read about our septic tank pumping service.
Frequently asked questions
No. We pump septic tanks, clean effluent filters and add risers. We don’t install systems or repair pipes, pumps, baffles or leach fields, but we’ll tell you what we see at pump-out so you can call the right installer or plumber.
If the tank is overdue, pumping can help. If the ground over the leach field stays wet or smells after pumping, the field itself is likely failing and needs an installer.
Usually, yes. An empty tank lets the installer or inspector see it and work on it. Ask them first, then book the pump-out to fit their schedule.
A qualified inspector. If you’d also like the tank pumped and visually checked, we’re happy to do that.