Skipping regular septic tank cleaning leads to system failure, and it’s expensive. When solids accumulate beyond the tank’s capacity, they flow into your drain field, clogging the soil and preventing proper wastewater absorption.
Once your drain field clogs, you’re looking at sewage backups in your home, standing water in your yard, and potential contamination of groundwater. Repairing or replacing a failed drain field typically costs $5,000-15,000—much more than regular maintenance.
Illinois regulations require septic systems to be evaluated every 3-5 years specifically to prevent these failures. Regular pumping removes accumulated solids before they cause permanent damage to your system’s most expensive component.