Septic Services near you

In the tank, heavy solids sink to the bottom as sludge while fats, oils and grease rise to the top as scum. Bacteria break down part of the solids, but not all of them, which is why the tank fills up over time and has to be pumped. The clarified liquid in the middle, the effluent, leaves through the outlet, often past a filter, and is spread through perforated pipes into a bed of stone and soil that filters and treats it before it reaches groundwater.

In Quebec, section 13 of the Regulation respecting waste water disposal systems for isolated dwellings (Q-2, r. 22) sets the minimum: a septic tank used year-round must be pumped at least once every two years, and one used seasonally at least once every four years. The ministry defines seasonal use as 180 days or less a year. Where the municipality takes charge of pumping, a tank may instead be pumped when measurement shows the scum layer has reached 12 cm or the sludge layer 30 cm. Some municipalities organize pumping themselves on a set schedule, so check with yours before booking a contractor.

Ontario's SepticSmart guide recommends having a licensed sewage hauler or onsite sewage system professional open the tank and inspect the system every three to five years, pumping out the solids and scum when required. Household size, water use and the tank's volume all affect how fast it fills, so keep a record of every pumping and inspection.

Quebec's environment ministry advises calling a qualified professional as soon as one or more of these signs appear, so the source can be found and the repairs planned. Catching a problem early can mean fixing a pipe or a baffle rather than rebuilding the field.

Some products harm the bacteria in the tank, others add sludge and grease that fill it faster and clog the filter and the field, and some can end up in groundwater. Quebec's good practice guide for owners suggests using the toilet only for what it was designed for, and lists what to keep out of the system, whether through toilets, sinks or the tank itself. Spreading laundry over several days also helps, since a surge of water stirs up solids and pushes them toward the field.

The field works only if the soil stays loose, drained and supplied with oxygen. Quebec's owner guide lists precautions to take above the system to avoid compacting the soil and damaging the pipes.

A general pre-purchase inspection usually stops at the house, so the septic evaluation is a separate job, ideally done within the offer's inspection condition. Ask the seller for the permit, the as-built plan of the system, proof of pumping and, for an advanced treatment unit, the maintenance contract. The municipality may also have the permit file.

A thorough inspection locates the tank and the field, has the tank pumped or opened to check the liquid level, the inlet and outlet baffles and any filter, and walks the field looking for soggy ground, odours or unusual growth. Some inspectors add a camera inspection of the pipes or a check of the distribution box. A home inspector can flag concerns and refer you to a septic specialist; for a system with no permit on file, a professional may need to assess whether it meets current rules.

In Quebec, section 4 of Q-2, r. 22 requires a permit from the local municipality before building a home served by a septic system or installing, rebuilding or modifying the system itself. The ministry explains that the application must include a characterization study of the site and the receiving soil, prepared by a member of a professional order competent in the field; the system is then designed to suit the soil, the slope and the required distances from wells and water.

In Ontario, the Building Code governs nearly all rural septic systems. Its Part 8 sets design and construction requirements, and the Code determines who may do the work, including the licensing of designers, installers and inspectors. The municipality usually issues the permit and inspects the installation, and some also run maintenance inspection programs for existing systems. In either province, hire a licensed or qualified installer, and a civil engineer or other qualified designer where the site or the rules call for one.