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Septic tank pumping and cleaning
Septic Masters pumps and cleans septic tanks for homes and businesses in Miami-Dade and Broward County. A pump-out removes the sludge and scum that build up inside the tank so wastewater can keep flowing to the drain field. The U.S. EPA says household tanks are typically pumped every three to five years.
Tell us the address and when the tank was last pumped, if you know.
Prefer to talk? Call (786) 282-8690
What a pump-out does
According to the EPA, a septic tank separates solids and floatable matter, like oils and grease, from the wastewater. Over time that leaves three layers in the tank:
Oils, grease and lighter solids that float on top.
Partly treated wastewater in the middle that flows out to the drain field.
Heavier solids that settle on the bottom and build up over time.
A vacuum truck draws the liquid, sludge and scum out of the tank through the access opening.
Most people use the word for the same job. When there is a difference, cleaning means extra work to break up and remove built-up solids.
Either way, the goal is an empty tank that can do its job again. Read more in the difference between septic pumping and cleaning, or see how a septic system works from the EPA.
Pumping schedule
The EPA's typical range is every three to five years for a household tank, but the right schedule for your property depends on four factors the EPA lists as the major ones.
More people means more wastewater and more solids reaching the tank.
Long showers, frequent laundry and leaky fixtures all send more water through the system.
Food waste and anything besides toilet paper adds to the sludge and scum layers.
A smaller tank fills faster than a larger one in the same household.
There is no single number that fits every household of the same size, because tank size and water use vary so much. A small household with a large tank can go longer between pump-outs than a large household with a small tank. The EPA also notes that if you use a garbage disposal, your tank will need to be pumped more frequently. For a Florida-focused guide, read how often a septic tank should be pumped in Florida.
The most reliable schedule comes from your own tank. The EPA suggests writing down the sludge and scum levels the septic professional finds at each visit, so you can see how fast your tank fills. Ask us for those levels after your pump-out, and keep them with your records. Not sure if it is time now? See how to tell if your septic tank needs pumping.
Customer Reviews
Real reviews from homeowners and businesses in Miami-Dade and Broward, pulled live from our Google Business Profile. Read what they say about the work, then decide for yourself.
Our Services
From routine pumping to repairs, new systems and commercial grease traps, Septic Masters handles residential and commercial septic work across South Florida.
We pump out the sludge and scum that build up in your tank so wastewater can settle and flow the way the system was designed to. Regular pumping helps prevent backups and bigger repairs down the road.
A clear look at your tank, lids, baffles and overall system condition.
Damaged lids and baffles, cracked tanks and broken or clogged pipes.
New and replacement systems planned around your property and permits.
Not sure which service you need? Describe the problem and we will point you in the right direction.
What to expect
A septic pumping visit from Septic Masters follows the same five steps at homes and businesses across Miami-Dade and Broward.
How long does it take? It depends on the size of the tank, how full it is and how easy the lid is to reach. See how long septic tank pumping takes.
Clear a path to the tank lid and keep pets inside. If you are not sure where the lid is, tell us when you book.
What to do before the pump truck arrivesThe crew opens the access and runs the vacuum hose from the truck to the tank.
The liquid, sludge and scum are pumped into the truck until the tank is empty.
With the tank open and empty, the crew can see things that stay hidden the rest of the time, like damaged baffles, cracks or water flowing back from the drain field.
Why so many of our jobs start with a pump-outThe tank is closed, and we tell you what we saw and when to plan the next pump-out.
Found a problem? If the pump-out shows damage, the same team handles septic tank repair, so you do not have to start over with another company.
Septic tank repair
Homes and businesses
Septic Masters provides septic tank pumping and septic tank cleaning for residential and commercial properties across Miami-Dade County and Broward County.
For single-family homes and other houses on septic, on a routine schedule or when something is not right.
For offices, shops and other businesses whose buildings are on a septic system.
Cost
The price of a septic pump-out in Miami depends on the tank and the property, so we quote each job once we know the details. These are the main factors. For more, read what affects septic tank pumping cost.
Larger tanks hold more to pump out.
A tank that has gone years without service has more built-up solids.
A buried lid or a tank far from where the truck can park adds work.
Commercial tanks and how the building is used can change the job.
Between pump-outs
What goes down the drains decides how fast the tank fills. These habits from the EPA's septic care guidance help a tank go longer between pump-outs and protect the drain field.
Source: U.S. EPA, How to Care for Your Septic System. For a printable routine, see our septic maintenance checklist for homeowners, and read what can go wrong when pumping is skipped.
Service Areas
Septic Masters is based in Miami and works on homes and businesses throughout Miami-Dade and Broward County. Not sure if your property is in our area? Give us a call.
FAQ
Straight answers to what Miami-Dade and Broward property owners ask most about septic tank pumping and cleaning.
It depends on the size of the tank, how long it has been since the last pump-out, how easy the lid is to reach and whether the property is a home or a business. Call (786) 282-8690 or send the form on this page with your address and we will follow up with a quote.
What affects septic pumping cost →The EPA says household tanks are typically pumped every three to five years, but your schedule depends on household size, how much water you use, how many solids go into the tank and the size of the tank. Using a garbage disposal means pumping more often. Tracking the sludge and scum levels at each visit shows how fast your tank fills.
How often to pump in Florida →Most people use the two terms for the same job: removing the liquid, sludge and scum from the tank with a vacuum truck. When there is a difference, cleaning means extra work to break up and remove solids that have built up in the tank.
Pumping vs. cleaning explained →It depends on the size of the tank, how full it is and how easy the lid is to reach. A lid that is buried or far from where the truck can park takes longer to get to than one that is already exposed.
How long septic pumping takes →If the backup is caused by a full tank, pumping relieves it. If drains back up again soon after a pump-out, the cause is usually something else, such as a blocked pipe, a damaged baffle or a drain field that is not draining, and it needs a repair.
Common causes of septic backups →Yes. Septic Masters pumps septic tanks for businesses and other commercial properties in Miami-Dade and Broward. Restaurants and commercial kitchens with grease traps need grease trap cleaning, which is a separate service.
About grease trap cleaning →Talk to Septic Masters
Call to talk it through with our team, or send a few details about your property and what is going on. We will follow up to confirm the service and a time that works for you.
Call to talk to the team, or send a quote request online.
Sewage backing up right now? Call us instead of sending a request.