How often does a septic tank need to be cleaned?

A technician takes a sludge sample during service, and the company recommends scheduling a cleaning when build-up exceeds 12 inches. On average that works out to a tank cleaning every two to four years.

How often should a septic system be serviced?

The company recommends a service contract covering preventive maintenance, with the system inspected twice a year and one free alarm call visit included.

Does the aerator have to run continuously?

Yes. Aeration is a critical part of the treatment process, so the aeration device must run continuously for the waste to break down and be treated properly.

What should be done when the septic alarm goes off?

Silence the alarm at the septic control panel if it is audible, then call the company to schedule the soonest available appointment. Until a technician arrives, water usage should be reduced to avoid a backup.

Septic & well inspectors

Suburban Septic Service

Suburban Septic Service Inc is a family-owned septic contractor based at 4229 Beck Road in Medina, Ohio, working across Northeast Ohio and naming Medina, Lorain, Cuyahoga and Summit counties. It installs, services and cleans household sewage treatment systems for residential and commercial properties.

Work covers septic system design and installation for new construction and replacement, annual maintenance contracts, tank cleanings, sewer line snaking, grease trap cleanings, sump pump replacement and septic inspections for owners and buyers. The company installs and services aerobic treatment units including Jet, Aqua Safe and Whitewater systems, and works on off-lot discharging systems covered by the NPDES general permit as well as on-lot drip distribution, spray irrigation and sand mound systems.

The business was founded in 1987 with one pumper truck. In the early 1990s it became a licensed and registered installer and service provider for household sewage treatment systems approved by the Ohio Department of Health, and in 1998 it became a licensed distributor for several manufacturers of residential sewage treatment systems. The founder still runs daily operations, providing installation quotes and septic inspections.

No prices are published, and the site's own pages give different counts of years in business. Current licensure for the specific system type and county is worth confirming before scheduling.

Best for

Owners of Northeast Ohio properties on aerated or discharging septic systems who need an installer that is also licensed to service and clean them, or a pre-purchase septic inspection.

What they do

Septic system design and installation
Septic tank cleaning and pumping
Annual septic maintenance contracts
Septic inspections for owners and buyers
Aerobic treatment unit service
Sewer line snaking
Grease trap cleaning
Sump pump replacement
Alarm and control panel troubleshooting

Details

Attribute	Value
Founded	1987
Ownership	Private
Offices	Medina, OH
Licenses	Licensed and registered HSTS installer and service provider (OH)

What stands out

Founded in 1987 and family-owned and operated since.
Licensed and registered installer and service provider for systems approved by the Ohio Department of Health.
Became a licensed distributor for several residential sewage treatment system manufacturers in 1998.
Serves Medina, Lorain, Cuyahoga and Summit counties in Northeast Ohio.

Common questions

How often does a septic tank need to be cleaned?: A technician takes a sludge sample during service, and the company recommends scheduling a cleaning when build-up exceeds 12 inches. On average that works out to a tank cleaning every two to four years.
How often should a septic system be serviced?: The company recommends a service contract covering preventive maintenance, with the system inspected twice a year and one free alarm call visit included.
Does the aerator have to run continuously?: Yes. Aeration is a critical part of the treatment process, so the aeration device must run continuously for the waste to break down and be treated properly.
What should be done when the septic alarm goes off?: Silence the alarm at the septic control panel if it is audible, then call the company to schedule the soonest available appointment. Until a technician arrives, water usage should be reduced to avoid a backup.