Expert Septic Services for Warren and Hunterdon Counties

If you live in a rural area of Warren County or Hunterdon County in New Jersey, chances are your home is served by a septic system, rather than by a municipal sewer system. That means you don’t have to worry about paying a sewer bill – but if you want your system to function well for the long term, you do need to maintain it.

With proper maintenance, your septic system will serve you well for many years – and maintaining your system is not as daunting a task as you might think. The septic system experts at ADS Environmental, Inc., of Phillipsburg will take the guesswork out of your septic system maintenance and help keep your septic system performing optimally. Contact us to learn more.

How your septic system works

Your septic system carries household waste through a pipe from your house into your septic tank. In the tank, organic matter is “digested” by bacteria in a natural process; solids settle to the bottom as sludge, while scum rises and floats on top of the liquid. The liquid, or effluent, flows out into the septic leach field, or drain field, and ultimately is absorbed into the soil.

If it malfunctions from lack of maintenance, waste can back up into your house, clog your drain field, and ultimately result in costly repairs.

What’s required to maintain your septic system?

Septic system maintenance involves:

• Periodic septic tank pumping and cleaning to remove sludge and scum;
• Septic system repairs as needed.

From our home base in Phillipsburg, N.J., ADS Environmental provides these septic system maintenance services to residential customers throughout Warren and Hunterdon counties. We will set up a regular maintenance schedule for you (just as you do to maintain your furnace).

How often should you pump your septic tank?

If you are a family of four with a 1,000-gallon septic tank, ADS recommends that you get your septic tank pumped and cleaned every two to three years. Our professionals can advise you more specifically, based on the size of your family, the size of your tank, and estimated usage. A phone call to 908-213-9400 is all it takes to set up an appointment for ADS Environmental to pump, clean and inspect your septic tank.

What does it cost to pump a septic tank?

The cost of pumping a septic tank (and removing/disposing of the contents) is usually calculated on the amount of material pumped. The current cost for ADS to pump out a 1,000-gallon tank is $225, assuming the lid is exposed.

The cost of any needed repairs, of course, would be in addition to the pumping charge. For more detailed information about your specific needs, contact the professionals at ADS Environmental.

Telltale signs that it’s time to pump your septic tank

• Sluggish drains. Sometimes the first indication that your septic tank needs pumping is a washing machine or kitchen sink or bathtub that begins to drain very slowly. If your toilet isn’t flushing all the way, that can be a sure sign that you need to service your septic system.
• Sewage backup. When your sluggish drains give way to sewage backing up into your bathtub, shower, toilet or washing machine, it’s time to call to have your septic system pumped. ADS Environmental can schedule you quickly anywhere in Warren and Hunterdon counties.
• Pooling water. If you’re seeing puddles around your drain field, it’s a pretty sure bet that your septic tank needs pumping. With proper functioning, wastewater flows underground from the tank into your drain field. But if your septic tank is full, solid particles can rise and clog your drain field pipes. Clogged pipes cause water from your tank to pool on the ground. And when that happens, you might also smell …
• Foul odors. No need to belabor this point; if your yard smells bad, you need to make a phone call to ADS Environmental to have your septic tank pumped! ADS will pump and clean and your septic tank and make any necessary repairs to be sure your septic system is working properly.
• Lush grass. Your lawn should look pretty much the same all around your house. If it appears to be particularly lush and bright green in the area around your drain field, it generally means you have too much effluent (liquid) rising from your septic tank, and it’s probably time to get your septic tank pumped.

For more expert advice about maintaining your septic system, or to schedule an appointment, call the professionals at ADS Environmental, 908-213-9400.