Cesspool & septic tank pumping on Long Island

Long Island homes use two kinds of systems. A cesspool is a concrete ring with an open bottom and holes in its sides: liquid soaks out into the sand while solids settle inside. A septic tank is a watertight tank that holds the solids and sends the liquid on to one or more leaching pools.

JET pumps both. With a cesspool, pumping removes the sludge on the bottom and the waste in the pool. With a septic system, we empty the tank and check the leaching pools behind it, pumping them too when they are holding water. Not sure which one you have? Our guide to cesspools vs. septic tanks explains the difference, and the technician can tell you on the first visit.

• Locate the cover. If you don’t know where it is, we find it, using electronic locating equipment when the cover is buried.
• Open and check. The technician checks the liquid level and the inlet from the house before pumping.
• Pump it out. Our high-capacity vacuum trucks empty the cesspool or septic tank, sludge and all.
• Look for problems. With the system empty, the technician checks the walls, cover and pipes for cracks, collapse or other early warning signs.
• Explain and close up. You hear what was found and whether anything else is worth doing, then the cover is closed and the area put back.

Most residential pump-outs are done in a single visit. See how long it takes to pump a septic tank for what affects the timing.

There’s no single schedule. How often a system needs pumping depends on how many people live in the house, the size of the cesspool or tank, how much water goes down the drains, and how high the groundwater sits around it. The U.S. EPA says a typical household septic tank should be pumped every three to five years. Cesspools on Long Island often need it sooner; every two to three years is common.

If the system fills faster than it used to, pump it sooner, and ask about cesspool cleaning, which removes the hardened buildup that pumping leaves behind. For more detail, see our guides on pumping frequency and septic tank sizes.

• If you know where the cover is, mark it or tell us when you call. If it’s buried under lawn, a patio or a driveway, we’ll locate it and uncover only what’s needed.
• Make sure the truck can park nearby and the hose can reach: clear a path and move cars if needed.
• Keep pets inside while the cover is open.
• Go easy on water while the system is being pumped. Wondering what’s safe? See can I shower if my septic tank is full.

Pumping solves a full system. It won’t fix everything:

• Fills up again fast: buildup is sealing the bottom and walls. Cesspool cleaning is the next step.
• Damaged cover, rings or pipes: see cesspool and septic repair.
• A system that has failed: in Suffolk County, a failed cesspool is now replaced with a septic tank and leaching system. See installation and replacement.
• One slow drain inside the house: that’s usually a clog, not the system. See clogged drain service.

If sewage is backing up right now, call (631) 260-3640 for 24/7 emergency pumping.

Restaurants, offices, schools, houses of worship and multi-family buildings fill their systems faster than a single home. JET sets up scheduled pump-outs that work around your hours, and our high-capacity trucks handle larger systems in one visit. Kitchens also need regular grease trap cleaning. See commercial cesspool services for more.

• Flush only toilet paper. Wipes (even “flushable” ones), paper towels and feminine products don’t break down.
• Keep grease, cooking oil and coffee grounds out of the sink.
• Spread laundry and dishwasher loads across the week, and fix running toilets and leaky faucets.
• Point gutters and sump pump discharge away from the cesspool or leaching pools.

Some owners add a bacteria treatment to their routine. Ask the technician whether it makes sense for your system.