Picking the Right Septic Tank Maintenance Service
Issues with your septic system can make your home uninhabitable in a matter of minutes. If your system has a blockage, it can push water and sewage out of your drains and toilets. To keep your system in great condition, you have to look for a reputable septic company that has several years of experience in septic tank installation and maintenance. Choosing an inexperienced service or one that relies on shortcuts can be disastrous and may even bring down your property’s market value.
Seek referrals.
The best way to look for a skilled contractor is to seek personal recommendations from people you know and trust. Also, you can explore websites that rate local contractors and let customers leave testimonials. Your local authority or health department can hand you a list of names of companies in your locality.
Do some homework.
When you have trimmed down your search to a few prospective companies, research each of them online. Find out whether the company is licensed, registered with your state and adequately insured (workman’s compensation and general liability). Take a look around their website to learn about their experience and to be informed of the types of septic systems they typically work with. You also want to know if they use modern techniques, practices and equipment. If you have any doubts or questions about your prospective company’s credentials, give them a call and get their license number so you can directly ask your state’s licensing authority about them.
Determine the specific services provided.
If you must have an entire new system installed, inquire as to the aftercare they normally provide. Septic tanks require emptying every three to five years, depending on the size of your household. The tank and drainage field also require inspection and maintenance every now and then. Ask the company if the installation price already covers aftercare, and what their charges are for emergency work. Find out about any guarantees they may offer on their work and how quickly they will be able to dispatch a technician during such emergencies.
Check if there are Hidden charges.
If you have an underground septic tank, you may have to pay extra for digging. If there is a considerable distance between your septic tank and the closest spot where the contractor’s truck can be parked, you may also have to pay more for that.
Compare quotes from different contractors.
Ask for a quote from not just a single company but from at least two or three, and then make comparisons. Forget about the cheapest contractor though – there’s almost always a catch. Comparisons are important because they’re your only way of knowing what you will actually get from every contractor on your list.
