FAQs

Our Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I locate my septic system? How can I learn more about my property's septic system?

    Obtain a copy of your property's septic system record drawing (usually called an "as-built"), a diagram showing your system components' location.


    Lentz can also locate your tank during a Home Septic Inspection or when we come out to pump your tank.

    Call to schedule your Maintenance.

  • How do I know my septic system is in good working order?

    Lentz Septic Tank Service performs a septic system evaluation when we pump your tank. Some health departments and districts can perform this service before pumping, usually for a fee.

    If you need to know if or when your septic system has had a Full Inspection, you may consider getting one soon.

  • What can my family do to keep our Septic Tank running better and longer?

    Be aware of what goes into the system, when waste is going into it, and how it gets there. Timing can help your septic system work more efficiently for you! See What You Need to Know About Your Septic System.

  • We seem to have issues during the Holidays – Why is that?

    Suppose you have extended-stay house guests or are sharing your home with several guests (or temporary residents). In that case, the additional stress on your septic system may show itself in various ways. Creating a schedule for bathing, laundry, and even cooking will ease the extra burden it will put on your septic system for the duration.

  • Why do I need to have my Septic Tank pumped out?

    Most conventional septic tanks built after 1975 feature two concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene containers buried underground. Solid waste accumulates most in the first compartment, settling at the bottom and forming sludge. Some solids also relax in the second chamber. Bacteria break down much of this waste, but they can't eliminate all organic material from the tank. It also saves money from costly repairs and protects your health and the environment from untreated sewage.

  • I've been in my house for 10+ years and never pumped my Septic Tank. Why should I be concerned?

    Over time sludge and scum build up in the septic tank, and unless removed, it will flow into the drain field, clogging the soil pipes. Once a drain field is clogged, it must be replaced, which is an expensive repair, costing anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 or more. Replacement can be 2-3x as much! It is also possible that you could leak the tank. In either case, you risk contaminating ground and surface water resources, which could affect your or your neighbor's wells or nearby streams and other water bodies. And finally, you may eventually have a plumbing backup in your home.

  • How often should I have the Septic Tank pumped?

    How often you need to pump depends on the size of the tank, the number of people in the household, the amount and type of solids, and your family's lifestyle & habits. A septic tank should be inspected regularly to check for needed repairs and pumped as needed, usually every 2 to 3 years based on our Modern Families.

  • How Can I Find Out What Size Tank Is On or Required On a Property I'm Buying or Selling?

    If the home has not been renovated or added, you can obtain an "as-built" record from the County Health Department. This will give you the original tank size & requirements for the home as it was originally built.


    If you are not sure if the home was renovated or if its "as-built" record is not available, the location of the septic tank and drain field can usually be determined with a copy of the permit and with the help of a septic contractor like Lentz Septic Tank Service or the local health department. *There may be a fee for this service.

  • Where Does Waste Go?

    Waste from your toilets and other fixtures/appliances in your home is flushed, washed, or dumped through your plumbing into the Septic Tank buried in the yard. It enters the tank, where heavier solids settle to the bottom, creating 'sludge.' Lighter particles, grease, and liquids float on top of the sludge—a layer of scum forms on top of the water and effluents. Your waste doesn't just sit in the tank. The waste flows in one end of the tank and out the other using gravity.


    The water near the center is released into the septic drain field through the lower outlet. Typically, properly designed tanks have enough space to efficiently store up to 3-5 years of accumulated sludge.


    Naturally occurring bacteria partially decompose the sludge. Over time, the sludge can build up and needs to be removed by professional septic tank pumpers. Your tank must be pumped out regularly to prevent problems within the tank, the drain field, or inside your home!


    When sludge levels increase beyond a certain point, waste has less time to settle properly (dividing itself into sludge and effluents) before leaving the tank. As the sludge level increases, more solid wastes escape into the drain field, aka the soil absorption system (SAS).

  • Does Your Tank Have an Effluent Filter?

    In NC, if your tank was installed in 1999 or after, it has an Effluent Filter. This filter has the ultimate purpose of restricting the passage of suspended solids into the drain field while not disturbing the flow of the effluent to the point where it backs up into your home. If your tank does not have one, it is easily installed with a retrofit kit.

  • What Should Not Go Down My Drains?

    All grease, meats, and other fatty foods should be disposed of in the trash and not sent down the drain! These FOG (Fat, Oil, Grease) harm your system. They can cause clogging and ultimate damage that can be costly. Other items not to send down drains are medicines, antibiotics, harsh chemicals and cleaning supplies, flushable wipes, feminine hygiene products, and more.

  • What Activities Should I Avoid to Protect My Septic System?

    • Long Showers
    • Frequent Tub Baths
    • Multiple Loads of Laundry per Day
    • Too Many Guests

To learn more about our services, call (704) 876-1834.

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