What Do Septic Tank Servicers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Septic Tank Servicers clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or drains. May patch walls and partitions of tank, replace damaged drain tile, or repair breaks in underground piping. They also communicate with supervisors and other workers, using equipment such as wireless phones, pagers, or radio telephones.

Other tasks include:

• Drive trucks to transport crews, materials, and equipment.
• Inspect manholes to locate sewer line stoppages.
• Operate sewer cleaning equipment, including power rodders, high-velocity water jets, sewer flushers, bucket machines, wayne balls, and vac-alls.
• Prepare and keep records of actions taken, including maintenance and repair work.
• Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or related structures such as manholes, culverts, and catch basins.
• Measure excavation sites, using plumbers’ snakes, tapelines, or lengths of cutting heads within sewers, and mark areas for digging.

We asked Septic Tank Servicers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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63% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 56% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Septic Tank Servicers communicate with supervisors and other workers, using equipment such as wireless phones, pagers, or radio telephones. They drive trucks to transport crews, materials, and equipment.

A typical day for a Septic Tank Servicer and Sewer Pipe Cleaner will also include:

• Prepare and keep records of actions taken, including maintenance and repair work.
• Operate sewer cleaning equipment, including power rodders, high-velocity water jets, sewer flushers, bucket machines, wayne balls, and vac-alls.
• Service, adjust, and make minor repairs to equipment, machines, and attachments.
• Clean and repair septic tanks, sewer lines, or related structures such as manholes, culverts, and catch basins.
• Measure excavation sites, using plumbers’ snakes, tapelines, or lengths of cutting heads within sewers, and mark areas for digging.

We asked some Septic Tank Servicers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	77% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	43% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	83% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	33% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	6% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	39% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Septic Tank Servicers also break asphalt and other pavement so that pipes can be accessed, using airhammers, picks, and shovels. They may also locate problems, using specially designed equipment, and mark where digging must occur to reach damaged tanks or pipes.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Septic Tank Servicers Withdraw cables from pipes and examine them for evidence of mud, roots, grease, and other deposits indicating broken or clogged sewer lines. They might also Inspect manholes to locate sewer line stoppages.

In addition, they Cut damaged sections of pipe with cutters, remove broken sections from ditches, and replace pipe sections, using pipe sleeves.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Ensure that repaired sewer line joints are tightly sealed before backfilling begins.

To some Septic Tank Servicers, it is also their responsibility to Tap mainline sewers to install sewer saddles.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Septic Tank Servicer and Sewer Pipe Cleaner, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes474071.htm