As a homeowner, there are many maintenance issues to consider, one of which may involve your septic system. Since your septic tank handles all the wastewater in your home, you need to keep it up-to-date and in compliance with safety regulations. After all, if it leaks, you can contaminate your soil or local wastewater. If you’re unsure how to find a good septic company, here are some guidelines to help you.
Consultations
Since 20% of other Americans use septic systems, according to The Washington Post, you should easily be able to find another homeowner who has the same maintenance problem. You may have friends and family in your network with a septic system to maintain. Plus, if you’re on friendly terms with your neighbors, you can always reach out to one of them as well. Consulting with people in your inner circle is a great way to get a direct referral, and the more referrals you can get, the more choices you’ll have.
Customer Service
Good professional customer service is important regardless of what type of contractor you hire. So, when you’re looking for a septic company, the last thing you want is rude service, which can include not responding to correspondence. Take note of how quickly the septic contractor gets back to you after your initial correspondence. Do they sound professional? Do they listen to you and professionally answer your questions? Or do they appear annoyed, frustrated, or talk down to you as if they don’t want to be bothered?
Reviews
Before hiring a local septic company, do your diligent research regarding customer reviews. Even if you received a direct referral from friends, check online reviews on social media and sites like TrustPilot and Reddit. Don’t forget about the Better Business Bureau. The BBB website is a site where you can see any unresolved customer complaints. They also rank any contractors with a letter grade ranging from A through F. Needless to say, try to find a contractor that has a rating no less than A-.
Licenses
Whatever you do, never let anyone work on your property without a legitimate license. A license tells you that the septic company is legally able to work within your state or local region. You know the contractors have the right training to work on your septic tank and do a safe and effective job. Any legitimate contractor should be willing to show you proof of their licensing. If they hesitate to do so, that’s usually a red flag, and you should move on to someone else.
Insurance
As with any other contractor, liability insurance is a must before hiring someone to work on your septic tank. This insurance protects both you and the contractor. Regardless of what type of work goes on in your home, accidents can happen at any time, even with a trained professional. So if your septic professional gets hurt, as long as they have liability insurance, the company will cover them for any injury or medical cost. In other words, you won’t be liable for that expense.
Types of Service
Be aware of the exact type of service a septic company provides. Some contractors may provide several levels of services, ranging from installation, inspection to cleaning. However, other septic professionals may focus on only one of those things.
Experience
Experience matters, especially when someone’s doing this type of work in your home. While every septic professional has to start somewhere, it’s best to find someone with as much experience as possible. So, if given a choice between three contractors, one who just started versus one that has 20 years of experience, most likely, you’ll want to go with the contractor who has years of experience along with good reviews.
Keeping a well-maintained septic tank is vital to the health and sanitation of your property. The last thing you want is for your septic system to back up and become clogged, as it can create a disgustingly smelly health hazard that can contaminate the local water supply. Therefore, do your due diligence and find the right company to do the job. If you need septic maintenance, repairs, installation, or cleaning, don’t hesitate to contact us at Sonlight Services LLC today.