Septic Tank Pumping in Currie, NC
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Septic Tank Pumping for Currie Homes and Businesses
Currie, NC homes and businesses on septic can call Coastal Septic Solutions for pumping. We are a locally owned family company from Willard, in business over 20 years, we cover all of Pender County, and emergencies get answered 24 hours a day.
Call 910.271.2008 to book, or ask for a free estimate online. Tell us the last pump-out year and the household size, and we can say whether it is due.
What Is Different About Septic Systems in Currie
Currie has no town government. Pender County's 2012 Currie Small Area Plan calls it an unincorporated community in western Pender County. That plan found all existing development there on private wells and on-site septic, and the county's 2025 Fact Book says residents outside the county's own wastewater facilities rely on private providers or on-site septic.
On the USDA soil survey, Rains fine sandy loam is the largest soil around Currie, then Murville muck, Goldsboro fine sandy loam and Muckalee loam. USDA calls Rains poorly drained, with a seasonal high water table 0 to 12 inches down from December to April; Murville very poorly drained and wet at or near the surface most of the time except in summer or where drained; Muckalee a flood plain soil that floods frequently for brief periods; and Goldsboro the only one of the four moderately well drained. Several of the main soils here sit wet near the surface in winter.
You need dry soil to process contaminants from wastewater, NC Sea Grant says, and it warns that rain-saturated soil stresses the system. NC State Extension adds that solids from an unpumped tank clog the soil in the drain field, and once it is completely clogged, pumping will not rejuvenate the system. Citing the National Hurricane Center, the county's Fact Book records that during Hurricane Florence, high water in the Cape Fear River backed up the Black River and Moores Creek into exceptional flooding in the Currie and Canetuck communities.
How Often a Septic Tank Should Be Pumped in Pender County
The Division of Public Health factsheet's advice for a typical home is a pump-out by a state-permitted pumper every three to five years, or as the permit requires. Tank size and household size largely set the interval: state rules set 1,000 gallons as the floor for four or fewer bedrooms, and on NC State Extension's table a 1,000 gallon tank runs about six years with two people, three with four and two with six.
The rule is about depth. 15A NCAC 18E .1303 requires every compartment emptied whenever the settled and floating solids together exceed one third of the liquid depth in any compartment. We measure before we pump.
Not sure when it was last done? The Division of Public Health homeowner page says to ask the local health department for your septic permit and system layout. In Pender County, the On-Site Wastewater Program handles those requests with its Request for Septic Permit Information form, returned to the Pender County Health Department.
Signs Your Septic Tank Needs Pumping
Call us if you see:
- Soggy ground, puddles or a sewage smell around the tank or drain field.
- Sewage coming back up into tubs, toilets or sinks.
- Drains that slow down, especially after a rain.
- Gurgling or bubbling in the plumbing.
- A red light or alarm on the septic panel, if there is a pump.
- Greener, spongier grass over the system in dry weather.
The Division of Public Health spells out the stakes: let the tank fill and sewage can end up in the yard or back inside the house.
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
A pump-out, step by step:
- Locating the tank. Have the permit or as-built drawing out if you have one; otherwise the EPA suggests looking for lids in the yard or calling a service provider to find it.
- Uncovering the lids. State rules call for an access opening above each of a tank's two compartments. Buried lids get dug up; cracked ones can be swapped during the visit.
- Measuring, then pumping everything. The settled and floating solids are measured first. Then both compartments come out, plus the pump tank where there is one, as the Division of Public Health factsheet asks.
- Checking the outlet. NC State Extension says to check the effluent filter, or the outlet baffle on an older tank, and state rules require that filter rinsed, or swapped out, so solids cannot back up or clog the system. Roots get cleared at the same time.
- Hauling. North Carolina law requires a state permit for the hauler and a state-approved wastewater system or site for the septage.
- Closing up. Lids go back on, the ground is put back, and you get the solids levels for your records, as the EPA advises.
The tank refills afterward, by design: the EPA describes its job as holding wastewater until solids settle, with the liquid flowing on to the drain field.
What Pumping Does Not Fix
Pumping empties the tank; it does not unclog a drain field. NC State Extension says that once the drain field has completely clogged, pumping the tank will not rejuvenate the system and buys only a few days. State rules draw a hard line: needing the tank emptied more often than monthly to stop sewage surfacing or backing up falls under the rule's definition of a malfunctioning system, and the owner must then contact the health department.
When the measurements say that, we tell you and lay out the options: line jetting to open the lines, a D-box repair, or a repair permit from Pender County Environmental Health when the drain field has failed.
Pumping Systems With Pumps, Filters and Lift Stations
Per the EPA, the low-pressure pipe system originated in North Carolina and Wisconsin for problems such as a high water table, and that a poorly maintained tank sends solids out to clog its small openings.
- Pump tanks and lift stations. A pump tank needs emptying as well; the Division of Public Health factsheet says so. We do it on the same visit and service lift station pumps. A flashing or beeping alarm, NC State Extension notes, points to a pump not working properly or a pump tank running too high.
- Effluent filters. NC State Extension's Owner's Guide notes that systems installed since 1999 must have one, and its maintenance bulletin puts servicing at about every two to three years.
- Commercial kitchens. State rules require grease traps and grease tanks pumped no less than yearly, with the records kept on the premises. We handle commercial septic tanks and grease traps.
Between Pumpings: Caring for Your Septic Tank
Between visits:
- Watch water use: run full loads and fix leaks fast, says the Division of Public Health.
- Toilet paper and human waste only, as the EPA puts it: no wipes, diapers, tampons, cat litter, cigarette butts or paper towels, says the Division of Public Health.
- Keep grease and cooking oil out of the sink; NC State Extension says hardened grease builds up in the tank until the inlet or outlet clogs.
- Use the garbage disposal sparingly; the EPA says it means more frequent pumping.
- Keep vehicles off the system, grass over the drain field, and downspouts and sump pumps pointed elsewhere, per the Division of Public Health.
- Skip additives: NC State Extension reports that research to date has not shown them cutting solids buildup or the need for pumping.
- Add a riser if the lids are deep. State rules require one over each compartment of a new tank whose openings sit more than six inches below grade.
Why Hire Coastal Septic Solutions
- Locally owned and operated family business with more than 20 years in septic.
- Fully licensed and insured.
- 24/7 emergency service for backups, heavy rain, clogged filters and failing drain lines.
- We measure first, and repairs are recommended only when necessary.
- Roots cleared while the tank is open; a crumbling lid replaced during the same visit.
- State-of-the-art equipment and a clean site.
- Quick to respond, and estimates are free with no obligation.
Related Septic Services
- Line jetting. Pressurized water flushes roots, sludge and solids out of the lines; recommended on every second pump-out.
- Septic tank risers. Required by code on a tank deeper than six inches; no more digging.
- Replacement septic lids. Warsaw and new style lids, swapped in during the same visit.
- D-box repair. Septic gases wear a concrete distribution box down over the years.
- Emergency services. Around the clock for backups, blockages and drain line failures.
- New septic installation. If the drain field cannot be saved, we install what the county's Construction Authorization names.
Nearby Towns We Serve
From Currie, our pumping trucks also cover Rocky Point, Burgaw, Leland, Wilmington, Wallace and Porters Neck. See all service areas.
We offer septic tank pumping throughout Pender and New Hanover counties and in parts of Brunswick, Onslow, Duplin, Bladen, Columbus and Sampson counties.
Septic Pumping Questions From Currie Property Owners
How often should a septic tank be pumped in Currie?
The Division of Public Health's answer for most tanks is three to five years; NC State Extension says a large household or a garbage disposal means sooner. In its table, four people on a 1,000 gallon tank land at about three years and two people at about six. If the last pump-out date is a mystery, have us measure.
Should I pump the tank before a hurricane?
Not all the way. Currie saw exceptional flooding in Hurricane Florence, per the county's Fact Book, and the Division of Public Health's flood page warns that a fully pumped tank can float out of the ground. Stop using the system during the storm and cut power to pumps and alarms. Afterward, the EPA says to pump tank and lift station as soon as possible, but not while the drain field is saturated.
Do I have to find the tank and dig up the lids first?
No. Locating the tank and uncovering the lids is part of the job. A permit or as-built drawing shortens the search; NC State Extension notes that the permit and soil evaluation sheet from the local health department show the approximate location of each component, and Pender County's form is how you request yours.
Will pumping fix a backup?
When the tank is simply full, yes. When the drain field is clogged, no: NC State Extension warns that pumping behind a clogged drain field buys only a few days. Measuring shows which you have, and state rules call a system that must be pumped more often than monthly malfunctioning, which points to a repair.
Should I pump before selling the house?
It is a smart move. The EPA's homebuyer guide tells buyers to have the system inspected before purchase, checking pumping records, solids depth, the tank with its inlet and outlet pipes, the distribution box and the drain field. Pumping before you list, with the permit on file from Pender County, leaves the buyer with paperwork and a map.
Get a Free Estimate for Your Currie Septic Tank Pumping
Call 910.271.2008 or reach us online to book a pump-out or ask for a free estimate. Backing up right now? Call. We answer 24/7.
