Frequently Asked Questions
There is an alarm going off that is for my septic, what is it for?
What happens if I do not pump the tank?
When is it time to pump my septic tank?
How do I know if I need a service contract?
Alarms for septics indicate you have a lift station or aerator/aerobic unit. When the alarm goes off it could be indicating one of the following things: a pump is no longer working and needs to be replaced, it is the high water alarm and you need to have your tank pumped, or filters in your unit can be clogged and may need to be cleaned or replaced.
Septic Pumping is a very important service to maintain the integrity of your septic system. Over time septic tanks build up with solids and sludge. When we pump out septic tanks it is to remove the solids and sludge from building up too much and causing damage. Some damage that can be caused from solid and sludge build up is clogged pipes and field lines resulting in septic field failures. During the septic pumping procedure, it may be necessary to back flush your system. This helps to further break down the solids that have built up over time, leaving you with a solid-free tank!
Depending on how many people are in your household, your septic tank should be pumped every 2 to 3 years. If it is not time to get your septic system pumped but notice any of the below issues occur, it may be time to call Helmer Septic. For more information, refer to the chart below to figure out how often your tank should be pumped based on your household and tank size.
- Odor is coming from your drains
- Water is draining slowly
- Pooling water on your property
- Sewer backup
- Lawn over drain field is noticeably more lush than the rest of the yard
If you have an aerobic or aeration system then you should have a service contract for bi-annual maintenance. Some townships and counties require us to report that this maintenance is being performed or it can result in the homeowner being fined.
What are the signs I need to call a septic company?
There are many things that can happen with a septic tank that would require us to come out and asses the situation. Here is a list of reasons you should give us a call:
- Odor is coming from your drains
- Water is draining slowly
- Toilets and or showers are bubbling or backing up in your home.
- Pooling water on your property.
- Lawn over the drain field is noticeably more lush than the rest of the yard
- You're new to the home or do not remember the last time you had your septic tank pumped.
- You are building a new property that requires a septic system.
What should I avoid if I have a septic?
Do not use excessive amounts of cleaning products, specifically bleach. Look for cleaning products and detergents labeled “septic safe”. Septic tanks need bacteria to breakdown waste to reduce solid and sludge buildup.
Do not discard feminine products, condoms, baby wipes (even flushable ones), cooking grease, cigarette butts, coffee grounds, dental floss, diapers, kitty litter, paper towels, cleaning wipes, etc. in your toilets!
Do not drive over septic tank or field with any heavy equipment or vehicles.
Do not overload septic with water. Make sure you have low flush toilets and water efficient shower heads. Do not have water softeners emptying inside septic.
Our Mission
Customer satisfaction is our number one goal. We take pride in our customer service and attention to detail at every job. It's our intention to educate the customer of their septic system needs in order to maintain a healthy and functional septic.
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Areas We Serve
- McHenry County
- Lake County
- Cook County
- Kane County
- Cary, IL
- Fox River Grove, IL
- Crystal Lake, IL
- Oakwood Hills, IL
- Trout Valley, IL
- Lakewood, IL
- Woodstock, IL
- Barrington, IL
- South Barrington, IL
- North Barrington, IL
- Lake Barrington, IL
- Barrington Hills, IL
- Lake Zurich, IL
- Inverness, IL
- Deer Park, IL
- Long Grove, IL
- Kildeer, IL
- McHenry, IL
- Wauconda, IL
- Island Lake, IL
- Algonquin, IL
- Lake in the Hills, IL
- Dundee, IL
- Sleepy Hollow, IL
- Bull Valley, IL
- Huntley, IL
- Holiday Hills, IL
- Prairie Grove, IL
- Johnsburg, IL
- Spring Grove, IL
- Marengo, IL
- Wonder Lake, IL
- Arlington Heights, IL
- Elgin, IL
- Hoffman Estates, IL
- Palatine, IL
- Schaumburg, IL
- Green Oaks, IL
- Fox Lake, IL
- Lakemoor, IL
- Libertyville, IL
- Mundelein, IL
- Tower Lakes, IL
- Volo, IL
- West Dundee, IL
- Carpentersville, IL
- Hampshire, IL
- South Elgin, IL
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We Work with the Best Clients
Tonia G.
Great service and they go the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction! We used Helmer to repair our septic system, when the septic company we had been using for years, failed to correctly fix the problem. Helmer came in and fixed the issue and saved us thousands of dollars! Highly recommend Helmer's services!
Joren B.
Fantastic service! Got an appointment the next day to have my septic tank sucked out. Aaron did a great job and gave me good info to keep my system running well. Will definitely continue to use for years to come.
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