Frequently Asked Septic Questions

Most households need septic tank pumping every three to five years, but the right interval depends on tank size, household size, and water usage. A 1,000-gallon tank serving a family of four typically falls in the three-year range, while a larger tank or smaller household can stretch closer to five. Garbage disposal use, frequent laundry, and flushing non-septic-safe items all shorten that interval. We can recommend a schedule that fits your specific situation when we pump your tank.

They're technically two different services. Septic pumping removes the liquid effluent and floating scum from the tank, while septic cleaning goes further — fully removing the heavier sludge at the bottom that pumping alone leaves behind. Most companies charge separately for the two, or only do one. At Advanced Septic & Pumping, we treat them as a single service: every pump job includes a complete tank cleaning at no extra cost. Leaving sludge in the tank just means it fills up faster and you're paying for another visit sooner — so we do the full job every time.

Common warning signs include slow drains throughout the house, gurgling sounds in pipes and fixtures, foul odors near the tank or drainfield, unusually lush green grass over the drainfield, soggy or pooling water in the yard, and — in advanced cases — sewage backups in lower-level drains or toilets. If multiple drains slow down at the same time, that's almost always a septic issue rather than a single clogged line. The most reliable way to know is to have your tank checked and the sludge level measured during a service visit.

YES — we know septic problems don't wait, and we respond as quickly as possible when something goes wrong. Call our office at (573) 636-2727 and we'll get you on the schedule for the fastest available service in your area. For active backups or overflows, mention that when you call so we can prioritize your job and route the nearest available crew.

“Advanced treatment system” — also called an aerobic treatment unit (ATU) — refers to a category of septic system that uses oxygen to break down wastewater far more thoroughly than a conventional tank-and-drainfield setup, producing effluent clean enough for difficult sites where standard systems aren't approved. (Note: this is a type of system, not to be confused with our company name, Advanced Septic & Pumping — we service every major brand of advanced treatment system.) You may need one if your lot is small, your soil percolates poorly, you're near a water source, or your county code requires enhanced treatment.

A Low Pressure Pipe system uses a pump to push effluent at low pressure through a network of small-diameter perforated pipes laid in shallow trenches across the drainfield. This even distribution allows the system to work on sites where a conventional gravity drainfield wouldn't perform well — typically due to shallow soils, slow percolation, or sloped terrain. Maintenance includes regular pumping of the tank and pump chamber, inspection of the pump and float switches, and periodic flushing of the lateral lines to prevent clogging. We service LPP systems throughout Central Missouri and can set you up on a maintenance schedule.

Common warning signs include slow drains throughout the house, gurgling sounds in pipes and fixtures, foul odors near the tank or drainfield, unusually lush green grass over the drainfield, soggy or pooling water in the yard, and — in advanced cases — sewage backups in lower-level drains or toilets. If multiple drains slow down at the same time, that's almost always a septic issue rather than a single clogged line. The most reliable way to know is to have your tank checked and the sludge level measured during a service visit.

Lift pumps are used when wastewater needs to move uphill — when your drainfield sits at a higher elevation than your tank, or when a building's plumbing runs below the main sewer line. Aerators are part of advanced treatment systems, pumping air into the tank to support bacteria that break down waste more thoroughly than a conventional system can. Both components are common on rural properties, sloped lots, and sites where soil conditions require enhanced treatment, and both need regular service to keep working.

When a standard conventional system won't fit or won't perform, alternatives include aerobic treatment units (ATUs), low pressure pipe (LPP) systems, mound systems, drip distribution systems, and holding tanks. Each has trade-offs in cost, maintenance, and site requirements — the right choice depends on your soil percolation rate, available space, local code, and how the property will be used. A soil test and site evaluation is the starting point for figuring out which option works, and we handle both as part of our installation process.

While not always legally required in Missouri, a pre-purchase septic inspection is one of the smartest investments you can make when buying a home with a septic system. A failing septic can cost tens of thousands to replace, and many issues aren't visible without a professional inspection — including tank condition, drainfield function, baffle integrity, and sewer line condition. A few hundred dollars upfront can save you from inheriting a five-figure problem after closing.

Our septic inspections include locating and uncovering the tank, opening the lid for visual inspection of the interior, checking sludge and scum levels, evaluating inlet and outlet baffles, examining the drainfield for signs of failure (soggy ground, surfacing effluent, vegetation issues), testing any pumps or aerators, and providing a written report on the system's condition. A sewer camera inspection of the main line can be added for a more thorough picture, particularly on older homes or properties with known issues.