The invoice from your septic services company should include the following:

• The septic services contractor’s name, physical address and state license number.
• A complete list of all work performed.
• An itemized list of all materials used.
• The total cost for the septic services services, including the itemized amount charged for labor.
• A written explanation of any warranties or guarantees provided by the product manufacturers and the septic services company.

Once the work is completed, your Santa Clara County septic contractor should give you a detailed invoice including the above items. Ask your septic service provider to talk through the work with you and tell you what the results of the service were. Ask any questions about the services, maintenance, future steps and other details. If anything is amiss or confusing to you, now is the time to get answers.

Written warranties are important for any type of home improvement or commercial improvement or maintenance project, including septic services. These warranties are your promise that your septic service provider did a good job, provided the services as promised, and that he or she will stand behind the work provided by the company.

Not all septic services in Santa Clara County, including those in San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Mountain View and Milpitas, provide warranty coverage on their services and materials they’ve used. However, the best companies do, and they’ll be glad to provide you proof of their guarantees in writing.

The following items should be included in any written guarantee document:

• The Santa Clara County septic services company’s name, physical address and state license number.
• A description of what exactly the warranty covers. This should include whether the contractor will repair or replace any faulty materials or workmanship.
• Any exclusions must be explicitly stated.
• Your responsibility in the case of a problem and what you need to do in order to redeem the warranty.
• How long the warranty is valid, and whether it expires on a specific day or is prorated (meaning, the warranty coverage and amount owed for repair or replacement diminishes over time).
• If the warranty coverage is transferable to the new owner if you sell the home or commercial building in which the septic services work was done.
• Any actions on your part that may invalidate the warranty.

Top Septic Service Requests in Santa Clara County and Beyond
Good septic service companies in Santa Clara County are known for taking care of their customers and doing what it takes to get the job done right the first time.

Here, you can learn more about the most commonly-requested septic services in Milpitas, Palo Alto, Cupertino, San Jose, Sunnyvale, Gilroy and other areas near you. This isn’t a complete list of septic services available, just those that are provided most often by professional septic tank services in the Greater Bay Area.

Septic System Pumping / Septic Tank Pumping
Septic tanks and septic systems need pumping every three to five years (or more or less, depending on the specific system and use factors of each septic tank and system) to stay functional and avoid problems. Septic tank pumping and septic system pumping includes emptying of the waste that isn’t naturally decomposed by anaerobic digestion process within the tank. These solids and sludge must be removed so that the tank doesn’t fill up and discharge untreated wastewater into the septic system’s drainage field. Septic system pumping is the process of pumping out accumulated sludge by a specialty vacuum truck. The waste is then removed to a treatment plant for treatment.

Septic System Maintenance
Like all home systems, septic systems also need regular maintenance to function properly and prevent the system from failing. Septic system maintenance includes pumping, inspection, tree root removal, removal of biofilms and drain field maintenance, and may also include the changing of daily behaviors to keep the system functioning well, such as not disposing of cooking oils or chemicals down the drain, avoiding use of the garbage disposal, not flushing salted water, avoiding flushing of non-biodegradable waste items such as cigarettes and hygiene products, and being mindful of how much waste water is pushed into the system.

Septic System Inspection in Santa Clara County
Septic system inspection is the process of inspecting an existing septic system for potential issues, malfunction or other problems. Inspections should occur once a year or when problems surface. It is also recommended that home sellers and home buyers arrange for septic system inspection to prove the system they’re selling or buying is functioning correctly. Septic system services in Gilroy, Cupertino, Campbell, Palo Alto, Milpitas and other areas routinely provide septic system inspections.

Leach Field Inspection
The leach field, also known as a septic drain field, is the drain and associated piping and filtration field that helps remove impurities and contaminants from septic tank liquids. A leach field inspection proves that the septic tank filtration field is functioning correctly and filtering wastes from the liquid coming from the septic tank. This ensures local waterways, wells, watersheds and aquifers are protected against contamination.

Septic Filter Cleaning
Septic system filters may need regular maintenance and cleaning to keep them clear and functioning at peak performance. Septic filter cleaning may include degreasing, pressurized cleaning, flushing and scrubbing depending on the type of filter and amount of build up.

Holding Tank Pumping
Holding tanks are wastewater tanks that hold sewage. Unlike septic tanks, holding tanks do not leach into a field or mound where the water is broken down and eventually released as filtered water. Instead, holding tanks hold sewage that is stored until it is removed. Sewage from holding tanks must be pumped out by vacuum truck and removed to a municipal treatment plant for treatment. These tanks must be serviced much more often than septic tanks due to their nature.

Septic Grease Trap Cleaning
Commercial kitchens, restaurants, food establishments and other buildings with kitchens or facilities that may create extra grease content in waste water may have separate grease traps located in their septic systems. These septic grease traps must be cleaned to remove the grease, as it can cause traps and filters to clog and back up.

Root Removal from Septic Systems
Trees, shrubs and other plants that are planted to close to septic systems, septic tanks, leach fields and septic pipes can invade the systems with their roots, causing clogs, backups and other problems. Septic systems aren’t buried very deeply, so  root clogging is common. Root removal services remove roots from pipes and repair damaged areas.

Septic Odor Control Services in Santa Clara County
Most well-functioning septic systems don’t allow sewage odors to escape. However, sometimes commercial and residential septic system require odor control services. These can include investigation and diagnosis of the odor, repair of broken lines or equipment, installation of filtration devices, vents, filtering vent covers, and other specific services required.

Septic System Additives and Enzymes
Septic system additives can include chemical, organic, inorganic, biological, yeast, bacteria and enzyme septic tank additives. While these additives have been long marketed to homeowners as necessary for reducing sludge build-up and odors, studies show that most additives are expensive and have very little to no effect on septic system effectiveness. Septic systems that are functioning and maintained correctly should have the right balance of biological additives, enzymes and organic material to function well without additional additives and enzymes.

The following glossary terms and definitions can help you better understand your septic services provider and can help you communicate with them more effectively.

absorption area
The absorption area is the area where waste water from a septic system is emptied for filtration and release into the ground.

Also known as: drain field, absorption field, drainage trench, septic drainfield, septic system drainage bed, leachfield, soakaway bed, leaching bed, on-site sewage facility seepage bed…

The following glossary terms and definitions can help you better understand your septic services provider and can help you communicate with them more effectively.

absorption area
The absorption area is the area where waste water from a septic system is emptied for filtration and release into the ground.

Also known as: drain field, absorption field, drainage trench, septic drainfield, septic system drainage bed, leachfield, soakaway bed, leaching bed, on-site sewage facility seepage bed

blackwater
Blackwater is waste carried off by toilets and urinals. This water is raw sewage and must be treated before it can be released into the environment.

Also known as: septage, black water, raw sewage

capacity
The volume of wastewater, both blackwater and greywater, that an onsite septic system can handle. Septic system capacity is usually described in terms of daily volume allowed.

Also known as: available capacity, allowed capacity, wastewater capacity, septic system capacity

drainfield
A drainfield (also known as a drain field, absorption area, drainage bed, seepage bed, or leach field) is the area where perforated piping is set in drainage trenches to distribute effulent and wastewater from septic systems.

Also known as:  drain field, absorption area, drainage bed, seepage bed, leach field

effluent
Effluent is the partially treated liquid that leaves a septic tank after filtration of solids in the tank and on the way to the absorption field or drainage field for continued treatment and release into the environment.

Also known as: septic effluent

failure
Septic system failure is some kind of failure of a septic tank or septic system. Failure may be signified by sewage visible on the ground, baking up into the home or business, leaking, seeping, contaminating ground water or ground surface, and a failure to meet permit and code standards.

Also known as: septic system failure

graywater
Any water from a residential or commercial building excluding sewage (blackwater) and water from toilets. Gray water includes bathtub and shower water, tap water, washing machine water, and other rinse water. Kitchen sink water is not considered graywater because of the presence of food solids. Graywater systems reduce the load of water on septic systems by separating water from sinks and showers from blackwater from toilets.

Also known as: gray water, greywater, grey water, graywater septic systems

grease trap cleaning
Commercial kitchens, restaurants, food establishments and other buildings with kitchens or facilities that may create extra grease content in waste water may have separate grease traps located in their septic systems. These septic grease traps must be cleaned to remove the grease, as it can cause traps and filters to clog and back up.

Also known as: septic grease trap cleaning, grease trap cleaning services

holding tanks
Holding tanks are wastewater tanks that hold sewage. Unlike septic tanks, holding tanks do not leach into a field or mound where the water is broken down and eventually released as filtered water. Instead, holding tanks hold sewage that is stored until it is removed. Sewage from holding tanks must be pumped out by vacuum truck and removed to a municipal treatment plant for treatment. These tanks must be serviced much more often than septic tanks due to their nature.

Also known as: holding tank pumping services

leach field inspection
The leach field, also known as a septic drain field, is the drain and associated piping and filtration field that helps remove impurities and contaminants from septic tank liquids. A leach field inspection proves that the septic tank filtration field is functioning correctly and filtering wastes from the liquid coming from the septic tank. This ensures local waterways, wells, watersheds and aquifers are protected against contamination.

Also known as: leach field, septic drain field inspection

root removal
Trees, shrubs and other plants that are planted to close to septic systems, septic tanks, leach fields and septic pipes can invade the systems with their roots, causing clogs, backups and other problems. Septic systems aren’t buried very deeply, so  root clogging is common. Root removal services remove roots from pipes and repair damaged areas.

Also known as: septic system root removal, septic tank root removal, septic line root removal services

septic filter cleaning
Septic system filters may need regular maintenance and cleaning to keep them clear and functioning at peak performance. Septic filter cleaning may include degreasing, pressurized cleaning, flushing and scrubbing depending on the type of filter and amount of build up.

Also known as: septic filter cleaning services, septic system filter services

septic odor control
Most well-functioning septic systems don’t allow sewage odors to escape. However, sometimes commercial and residential septic system require odor control services. These can include investigation and diagnosis of the odor, repair of broken lines or equipment, installation of filtration devices, vents, filtering vent covers, and other specific services required.

Also known as: septic system odor control, septic odor investigation

septic sludge
Septic sludge is settled solid waste that sinks to the bottom of a septic tank. Septic sludge is semi-solid organic waste and must be pumped from the septic tank from time to time to free up space for new waste.

Also known as: sludge, organic sludge

septic system
A set of components that receive, store treat, and disperse blackwater and sewage at residential and commercial properties. Septic systems usually consist of a septic tank to receive and hold solid waste, a treatment system to sanitize and dispose of septic effluent and wastewater (usually in the form of a leach field, drain field or septic mound), and the pipes that move wastewater from the building to the system and from the septic tank to the drain field or mound.

Also known as: complete septic system, septic tank system, on-site sewage system, OSS

septic system additives
Septic system additives can include chemical, organic, inorganic, biological, yeast, bacteria and enzyme septic tank additives. While these additives have been long marketed to homeowners as necessary for reducing sludge build-up and odors, studies show that most additives are expensive and have very little to no effect on septic system effectiveness. Septic systems that are functioning and maintained correctly should have the right balance of biological additives, enzymes and organic material to function well without additional additives and enzymes.

Also known as: septic system enzymes, biological septic system additives, septic tank additives

septic system inspection
Septic system inspection is the process of inspecting an existing septic system for potential issues, malfunction or other problems. Inspections should occur once a year or when problems surface. It is also recommended that home sellers and home buyers arrange for septic system inspection to prove the system they’re selling or buying is functioning correctly. Septic system services routinely provide septic system inspections.

Also known as: septic tank inspection, septic inspections

septic system maintenance
Like all home systems, septic systems also need regular maintenance to function properly and prevent the system from failing. Septic system maintenance includes pumping, inspection, tree root removal, removal of biofilms and drain field maintenance, and may also include the changing of daily behaviors to keep the system functioning well, such as not disposing of cooking oils or chemicals down the drain, avoiding use of the garbage disposal, not flushing salted water, avoiding flushing of non-biodegradable waste items such as cigarettes and hygiene products, and being mindful of how much waste water is pushed into the system.

Also known as: septic tank maintenance, septic maintenance, care for septic systems

septic system pumping services
Septic tanks and septic systems need pumping every three to five years (or more or less, depending on the specific system and use factors of each septic tank and system) to stay functional and avoid problems. Septic tank pumping and septic system pumping includes emptying of the waste that isn’t naturally decomposed by anaerobic digestion process within the tank. These solids and sludge must be removed so that the tank doesn’t fill up and discharge untreated wastewater into the septic system’s drainage field. Septic system pumping is the process of pumping out accumulated sludge by a specialty vacuum truck. The waste is then removed to a treatment plant for treatment.

Also known as: septic tank pumping, septic vacuuming, septic system cleaning

Q: Why choose Diamond Certified septic services?
A: Diamond Certified helps you choose a septic services with confidence by offering a list of top-rated local companies who have passed the country’s most in-depth rating process. Only septic services rated Highest in Quality earn the prestigious Diamond Certified award. Most companies can’t pass the ratings. American Ratings Corporation also monitors every Diamond Certified company with ongoing research and ratings. And your purchase is backed by the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee. So you’ll feel confident choosing a Diamond Certified septic services.

Q: What services do septic companies provide?
A: Septic services include camera inspections; jetting and steaming of clogged septic lines; pumping of flooded basements and well pits; sand trap, grease trap, and spill pumping; septic tank cleaning; septic tank inspection; septic tank installation; septic tank pumping and more.

Q: Why do septic systems need pumping?
A: Septic systems need pumping because non-biodegradable materials in the system must be removed to keep the septic system functioning correctly.

Q: Why should I worry about septic system or septic tank maintenance?
A: Yes. You’re smart to think about septic maintenance before you have problems. Maintenance for modern, well-functioning systems is usually as simple as regular pump outs (usually every three to five years), monitoring bacteria levels to ensure proper breakdown of organic wastes. It may also include having a professional inspect the tank, the leech field or secondary treatment system, and any lines and connections.

Q: What are signs that my septic system needs servicing?
A: Signs of a failing or clogged septic system include toilets flushing slowly, sinks and bathtubs draining slowly, gurgling or bubbling sounds in the plumbing pipes, water backing up in the plumbing or septic system, standing water or wet areas of the yard (you may see standing gray water or black water), sewage odors in or outside of the home, contamination of well water, and sinks and toilets backing up into the home.

Q: I had my septic system pumped very recently. Why is it already full?
A: Septic systems are built to work when they are full. This is the way septic systems work—they filter water and liquid from solids, and they work best when full.

Q: How should I care for my septic system?
A: Caring for your septic system between services is fairly easy if you know what to do. Most septic care tips are common sense—take it easy on your septic system and only put water and organic waste down your pipes. Specific tips include these:

• Use water sparingly. Take care to not overload your septic system with too much water. Turn the tap off between uses, invest in water-conserving appliances and conserve where you can.
• Only run your washing machine and dishwasher when they have full loads.
• Run appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines at off-peak times if possible. (Avoid running both at the same time and/or while family members are showering.)
• Use toilet paper that is rated as safe for septic systems.
• Never rinse kitchen grease or oil down the drain. Instead, wipe pans with paper towels and throw them in the trash or put used cooking oil in disposable containers and throw it away.
• Never flush down the toilet cigarettes, feminine products, diapers, baby wipes, paper towels or inorganic materials.
• Never dispose of gasoline, anti-freeze, paint, paint thinner, oil, pesticides, or other toxic or inorganic liquids down your drains.
• Use your garbage disposal rarely and only for small bits of kitchen waste (what’s left in the sink strainer after doing dishes) . Never use your garbage disposal as a compost disposal or for egg shells, potato skins, large pieces of food waste or other items.
• Regularly check plumbing fixtures for leaks to limit wasted water.
• Watch out for tree roots that may clog pipes. Call your septic service provider if you think tree roots are intruding into your plumbing lines
• Limit your use of water softener if possible. Water softeners can increase your need for septic system maintenance services.

Q: How often should I have my septic system pumped?
A: Recommendations vary depending on the size of your system, number of people in your household, age of the system and other factors. Your septic service provider should be able to help you ascertain how often your system needs servicing. However, every three to five years is a good estimate for most average households with average use.

Q: Do I need to add anything to my septic system to keep it functioning properly?
A: Most septic systems are designed to function well on their own with no additives. However, septic systems and septic tanks that are overloaded, or have been flooded with organic material that isn’t breaking down fast enough due to volume. This can happen in systems that are too small for the size household they service, for homes that have extra guests for extended periods, or systems in buildings that frequently host large gatherings. In this case, you may benefit by adding enzyme or bacteria additives to your system. Talk with your local septic service about the additives they recommend for your system and unique situation.

Q: Are septic services expensive?
A: Septic services are probably more cost-effective than you’d expect. Most septic pumping services cost between $200 and $500, depending on the system’s size, age and other factors. Having your system pumped regularly is the best type of maintenance possible and will keep your system running well for as long as possible. Not pumping your septic system can cause it to fail, and replacing a septic system can be $15,000 or more. So you’re wise to have your system pumped regularly. The little you spend in maintenance will likely save you a lot in replacement costs.

Q: What should I do if I’ve moved into a house with a septic tank?
A: Learn what you can from the previous property owner or realtor. Where is the tank? When was it installed? When was it last pumped? What are the construction and maintenance details? Then, start by calling a good local septic service company and having them come and provide an inspection of the septic tank. They should be able to confirm for you tank location, size, age, condition, and maintenance suggestions.