Frequently Asked Questions

Frequency for pumping is dependent on your septic tank capacity and the number of occupants in your home. Contact our office to discuss your individual situation and we will help you with determining what’s right for your system.

Once it’s been determined that your septic system has failed, the first step in getting quotes for a replacement system is to file for a permit with the County Health Department. The Health Department will draw up requirements for your specific property which will be used in the quoting process. MODERN is happy to help every step of the way: questions on filing for the permit, meeting with the Health Department, explaining the installation process, and providing a written quote for your project.

Links to health department permits: 

Kalamazoo County

Barry County

Van Buren County

The average pumping takes 30-45 minutes. Call our office for current pricing or to make an appointment.

MODERN does not recommend flushing disposal wipes. Click here

It is recommended that the water softener discharge be routed away from the septic system. Give us a call to talk about other options.

When your septic system was installed, the number of bedrooms and whether a garbage disposal was present determined your septic tank capacity. By adding bedrooms to your home, it may cause your septic system to be classified as undersized, even if the number of occupants hasn’t changed. This can become an issue when it comes time to sell your home. Contact our office to discuss current sanitary requirements and a course of action to bring your system up to Code.

Too much water going into the septic tank can cause your system to fail prematurely. It is important to inspect fixtures periodically to ensure that they are working properly.

It is possible that you have an issue with your septic system. Contact our office to set up a time for one of our experienced crew members to evaluate your septic system to determine if it is functioning properly.

The liquid level in your septic tank should be 8-10” from the top of the tank if your system is functioning properly. This is called “operational level.” If the liquid level in your septic tank is higher than operational level, call our office to set up a time for a trained technician to evaluate your system to ensure it is functioning properly.

Pumping your septic tank regularly will help extend the life of your septic system. The goal with pumping is to remove the solid layer of waste or the “cap” in the tank, as well as the layer of solids on the bottom of the tank so that they don’t flow over into the drain field. Solids flowing over into the drain field can cause your system to fail prematurely. Call our office to discuss your individual household and we will help you with determining a maintenance schedule for pumping.

Depending on the septic system designed for your home, you may or may not have an alternator valve and/or an effluent filter. If those components are present, both should be addressed annually to ensure that your system continues to function properly. Contact our office for instructions on how to maintain these elements if you are unsure.

We do not recommend adding any sort of chemical additive to your septic system, as the system is designed to function properly with the bacteria found naturally in the system.