Septic Tank Pumping in Burgaw, NC
- Family owned and operated
- Over 20 years of experience
- Fully licensed and insured
- Free, No-Obligation Estimates
Septic Tank Pumping for Burgaw Homes and Businesses
Burgaw is close to home for Coastal Septic Solutions. We are a family-owned septic company based in Willard with more than 20 years in the business, and we pump residential and commercial septic tanks in Burgaw and across Pender County. When a tank backs up, we answer the phone 24/7.
Tell us when it was last pumped and how many people use it, and we can say whether it is time. Call 910.271.2008 to set up a pump-out, or request a free estimate online.
What Is Different About Septic Systems in Burgaw
Burgaw is an incorporated town, one of six on Pender County's municipalities list, and a county courthouse history records that an 1877 election made it the seat of the county. The Town's Public Services Department maintains the water and sewer lines around town, with drinking water from deep wells. Past the town lines, septic takes over: NC State University puts the share of homes on septic near 80 percent in the state's dispersed coastal areas.
The soil is the second difference. Pender County's soils are mapped in the USDA soil survey, and NC State Extension explains that gray spots in a soil often mark ground where groundwater rises close to the surface in the wet months. NC State's Department of Crop and Soil Sciences says coastal areas have quick-draining sandy soils and, in many places, perennially high water tables. Inside the town limits the largest units are Grantham loam, Exum loam, Aycock loam and Grifton loamy fine sand; Aycock is well drained and Exum moderately well drained, while Grantham and Grifton are poorly drained.
Water is the third. The Town's flood page says parts of Burgaw can flood in a major rainstorm, and that the Special Flood Hazard Area along Burgaw Creek and Osgood Canal covers 14.5 percent of the town and its extraterritorial jurisdiction. NC Sea Grant adds that groundwater is rising in inland parts of the coastal plain and that a septic system needs dry soil to treat wastewater. NC State Extension warns that solids left in the tank eventually overflow into the drain field and clog it, damage that pumping cannot undo.
How Often a Septic Tank Should Be Pumped in Pender County
For a typical home, the Division of Public Health says to have a state-permitted pumper remove the solids every three to five years, or as the permit requires. State rules make 1,000 gallons the smallest tank for a home of four bedrooms or fewer, and in NC State Extension's table that tank goes about 12 years with one person using it, three years with four and one year with eight; a garbage disposal usually doubles the solids.
The rule that governs the pump-out is 15A NCAC 18E .1303: when the settled and floating solids together exceed one third of the liquid depth, the entire contents of every compartment have to come out. So we measure first.
Not sure what type of system you have, or how big the tank is? The Division of Public Health suggests asking the local health department for a copy of your septic permit and soil evaluation sheet. Pender County's On-Site Wastewater Program takes those requests on its Request for Septic Permit Information form, returned to the Pender County Health Department.
Signs Your Septic Tank Needs Pumping
Call us when you see any of these:
- Sewage backing up into a toilet, tub or sink.
- Fixtures that drain slowly, particularly during and after rain.
- A sewage smell with soggy ground over the tank or drain field.
- Standing water in the yard near the tank.
- Gurgling in the toilet or bathroom drains.
- A red light or beeping alarm on the septic panel, if the system has a pump.
Request a Free Estimate
Tell us what you need and we will respond quickly with a free estimate.
Check out what our customers have to say
Angela Bartlett
Google review
Had an unknown emergency with our septic tank during Hurricane Debby. Tracy quickly confirmed it was an emergency, had the crew out within 1.5 hours. When they got there, they were efficient, informative, professional, & honest. Thank you Tracy, Ej & Josh. I highly recommend.
Candice Thomas
Google review
Coastal Septic Solutions was contracted to fix an issue caused by another company. They were super professional and polite and extremely helpful anytime I needed to call to find out the process and when I would expect or could expect the repairs to take place. The day they arrived everybody was in and out very quickly and took into account that I work from home and managed to keep the noise to a minimum and most of the time I forgot they were even outside my house. Definitely recommend their services.
Cristina horrell
Google review
I contacted Coastal about coming out to take a look at my septic tank lines. I had a issue with roots growing into the lines causing them not to drain properly. When I contacted them they were very understanding and came right out to look at the issues. They corrected the problem and even put out grass seed where they had to dig up the lines!
M
Marysusan Rice
Google review
Our septic tank wasn't draining properly and Jonathan came and assessed the situation quickly that we needed a new drain field. He obtained the necessary permit, all the materials needed were delivered the next day, and he and his crew came the next day. They laid a 55ft drain field, cleaned up the yard and were done by mid afternoon. He and his crew work well together and do a beautiful job!!! They are all very personable and we highly recommend Coastal Septic Solutions for any septic problems. Charles and Marysusan Rice.
D
deb woody
Google review
This company stepped in and installation was perfect. The yard was left in beautiful shape, ready for finishing touches. They were honest, hard-working and great to work with. Strongly recommend coastal septic solutions.
D
Darin Boswell
Google review
Sam and Josh showed up on time and were very polite and knowledgeable with my overload of questions about how the system functions and ways to better maintain our system. They found our tank, inspected the system, cleaned the system out, and cleaned up the area with ease and speed. I highly recommend these guys for your next service. I was able to learn alot also. Thanks and be safe.
What Happens on Pumping Day
- Locating the tank. A permit drawing saves time, but we can find it without one.
- Uncovering the lids. Under state rules a tank has two compartments with an access opening above each. We dig to both, and a crumbling lid can be replaced on the spot.
- Measuring. We check the solids depth before pumping and tell you the numbers.
- Emptying every compartment. The Division of Public Health says to have the pumper check both sides of the tank, and that a pump tank may need pumping too. We do both.
- Roots and the filter. We clear roots that have worked into the system, and 15A NCAC 18E .1303 requires the effluent filter to be rinsed, or replaced if needed.
- Hauling. North Carolina law permits septage firms and limits disposal to state-approved wastewater systems and sites.
- Closing up. Lids back on, soil back in place, yard left the way it was.
The tank refills over the next few days, by design: NC State Extension describes it retaining the solids, which settle while greases float, and sending the liquid out through the outlet.
What Pumping Does Not Fix
A pump-out resets the tank, not the drain field. NC State Extension says that once the drain field soil has completely clogged, pumping buys only a few days before the tank fills again and will not rejuvenate the system. State rules treat a system that needs pumping more than once a month to keep sewage from surfacing or backing up as malfunctioning, and the owner has to contact the county health department.
When the tank tells us the trouble is downstream, we say so and lay out the choices: line jetting for lines packed with buildup, a D-box repair for a deteriorated distribution box, or a repair permit from Pender County Environmental Health for a failed drain field. We recommend a repair or replacement only when it is necessary.
Pumping Systems With Pumps, Filters and Lift Stations
Some systems have more parts. The EPA notes that low-pressure pipe systems, which began in North Carolina and Wisconsin, were designed to overcome problems such as a high water table, and that poor tank maintenance lets solids clog their small orifices.
- Pump tanks and lift stations. We pump the pump tank on the same visit and service lift station pumps. NC State Extension says a flashing red light or beeping alarm means the pump is not working properly or the pump tank is too full.
- Effluent filters. NC State's Owner's Guide notes that they have been required on systems installed since 1999, and its maintenance bulletin puts servicing at roughly every two to three years.
- Businesses. Under 15A NCAC 18E .1303, grease traps and grease tanks must be pumped no less than yearly, with records kept on site. We pump commercial septic tanks and grease traps.
Between Pumpings: Caring for Your Septic Tank
A few habits keep solids down and the drain field dry:
- Fix dripping faucets and running toilets. The EPA says one running toilet can send as much as 200 gallons a day into the system.
- Nothing down the toilet but human waste and toilet paper. The Division of Public Health names wipes, diapers, tampons, cat litter, cigarette butts and paper towels as things not to flush.
- Grease, oil and fats go in the trash. NC State Extension explains that grease hardens in the tank until it blocks the inlet or outlet.
- Use the garbage disposal sparingly. The Division of Public Health factsheet says not to install one at all.
- Keep the tank cover reachable, as the same factsheet asks. A riser does that.
- Keep vehicles, downspouts and sump pump discharge off the tank and drain field, and keep grass growing over it.
- Skip the additives. NC State Extension reports that the bacterial additives studied showed no reduction in solids buildup.
- Write down the date of every pump-out and the solids levels we found.
Why Hire Coastal Septic Solutions
- Family owned and operated for more than 20 years.
- Licensed and insured.
- Know-how with Burgaw soil and system requirements.
- 24/7 emergency pumping for backups.
- We measure before we pump, and we do not recommend a repair or replacement unless it is necessary.
- Roots cleared and crumbling lids replaced at the time of service.
- State-of-the-art equipment that keeps the job efficient and the site clean.
- Quick responses and free, no-obligation estimates.
Related Septic Services
- Line jetting. Pressurized water pushes buildup out of the lines. We suggest it about every other pump-out.
- Septic tank risers and replacement lids. Warsaw and new style lids, replaced at the time of service.
- D-box repair. Septic gases wear down a concrete distribution box; we repair or replace it.
- Emergency services. 24/7 for backups after heavy rain, clogged filters and failing drain lines.
- Septic system installation in Burgaw. When the drain field is past saving, we install the system named on your Pender County Construction Authorization.
Nearby Towns We Serve
Besides Burgaw, our pumping trucks run to Rocky Point, Currie, Wallace, Maple Hill, Hampstead and Rose Hill. The full list is on our service areas page.
Our septic tank pumping service covers all of Pender and New Hanover counties, and parts of Brunswick, Onslow, Duplin, Bladen, Columbus and Sampson counties.
Septic Pumping Questions From Burgaw Property Owners
How often should I pump my septic tank in Burgaw?
Plan on every three to five years, which the Division of Public Health recommends for most tanks. Household size moves the date: NC State Extension's table gives a 1,000 gallon tank six years with two people and two years with six. Under state rules, the tank must be pumped whenever the settled and floating solids pass one third of the liquid depth.
Should I have my tank pumped before a hurricane?
Not all the way. The Division of Public Health says never fully pump a tank before a flood, because an empty tank can float out of the ground, and the EPA says not to pump while the drain field is saturated. Use less water during the storm, shut off power to any septic pump, and wait for the ground to dry; the EPA then advises pumping the tank and lift station to clear silt.
Do I need to find the tank and dig up the lids before you come?
No. Finding the tank and uncovering the lids is part of the job. A permit drawing helps, and if you do not have one, the Pender County On-Site Wastewater Program takes requests for the permit on file. Once the tank is found, NC State Extension suggests measuring the distance from the house to the access port and writing it down.
Will pumping fix a backup or slow drains?
Only when a full tank is the cause. NC State Extension is clear that pumping a tank behind a clogged drain field gives a few days of relief at most. Measuring the tank shows which problem you have. If it was well below the one third line and still backed up, the trouble is in the lines or the field, and we will say so.
Should I pump the tank before selling my house?
A pump-out with a written record shows a buyer the system has been cared for. The EPA tells buyers to have the system inspected before they purchase, covering pumping records, solids levels, the tank and its pipes, and the distribution box. It also points buyers to the health department for the as-built drawing; in Pender County, the On-Site Wastewater Program takes requests for the permit on file.
Get a Free Estimate for Your Burgaw Septic Tank Pumping
Call 910.271.2008 or contact us online to schedule a pump-out or get a free estimate. For a backup, call; we are available 24/7.
