Septic Tank Cleaning Melbourne - The Ultimate Guide

What Every Melbourne Septic Owner Should Know

How a Septic System Works (Made Simple)
Common Septic & Treatment Systems in Melbourne
Finding & Accessing Your Tank
Pumping the Right Way (and the Wrong Way)
Do Tanks Need Refilling with Water?
Pumps: No Priming, But Handle with Care
Detergents & Cleaners: Keep the Bacteria Happy
Warning Signs Your Septic System May Be Failing
Checklist for Choosing a Septic Service Provider
Questions Your Service Provider Will Ask
When Things Go Wrong: Emergency Pump-Outs
Quick Care Checklist
Wrap-Up
Sources & Further Reading

How a Septic System Works (Made Simple)

Every flush leaves your home, but it doesn’t just disappear. How your septic system is cared for affects not only your household but also the soil, groundwater, and environment around you. Regular maintenance is the key to keeping things flowing smoothly — and avoiding nasty surprises.

Here’s the life of your wastewater, step by step:

In it goes – All the water from your toilet, shower, kitchen, and laundry heads into the septic tank.
Layers form – The tank acts like a slow cooker:
- Fats and oils float to the top (scum)
- Solids sink to the bottom (sludge)
- The clearer liquid sits in the middle (effluent)
Treatment happens
- In traditional tanks, effluent trickles into trenches or sand filters, where good bacteria in the soil finish the job.
- In treatment plants (Biocycle, Taylex, Septech, Turbojet), the effluent goes through extra chambers with bubbling air and settling stages, producing much cleaner water.
Back to nature – Finally, the treated water disperses safely into your garden soil or irrigation field.

The sludge and scum don’t magically vanish — they just keep piling up. That’s why regular pump-outs are essential (generally every 2–4 years, or more often for treatment plants).

Common Septic & Treatment Systems in Melbourne

Traditional concrete tanks – simple, tough, gravity-fed.
Biocycle (AWTS) – multiple chambers; must be pumped in stages. Needs refilling with water afterwards.
Taylex (AWTS) – Australian favourite; clear manuals for servicing.
Septech/Turbojet – detailed chamber layouts; often around 7,000 litres in total.
RELN poly tanks – lightweight plastic; watch out for “floating” issues with holding tanks.

Finding & Accessing Your Tank

Know where it is – older systems might have buried concrete lids, while modern tanks often have risers at ground level.
Clear the way – make sure a truck can get close enough to run its hoses.
Save time – Locate the lids and make them accessible. You might need to dig them out if buried.

Pumping the Right Way (and the Wrong Way)

❌ Wrong: Some cut corners by pumping just from the inspection hatch, leaving solids behind. This is like cleaning only the gravy off your plate but leaving the mashed potato stuck on.

✅ Right: Open all lids, break up scum, fully empty sludge, and give walls a rinse down. Treatment plants must be desludged carefully, chamber by chamber, according to their manuals.

Do Tanks Need Refilling with Water?

Biocycle systems – YES. Always refill after pumping to stop the tank “floating” out of the ground and to keep the pump wet.
Taylex & Septech – NO automatic refill required, but always check the pump chamber is re-submerged before restart.
Traditional concrete tanks – Never.
RELN holding tanks – Sometimes kept at ~50% to prevent flotation.

Pumps: No Priming, But Handle with Care

If your system has a submersible pump, good news: it doesn’t need priming. But it does need to stay wet. Running it dry will burn it out fast.

After a pump-out, your operator should:

Check the pump is submerged
Test the floats

Detergents & Cleaners: Keep the Bacteria Happy

Your septic relies on good bacteria to do the dirty work. Don’t wipe them out with harsh chemicals.

✅ Best choices:

Low- or no-phosphorus detergents
Biodegradable, septic-safe cleaners
Liquids (less residue than powders)
Vinegar & bicarb for general cleaning

❌ Avoid:

• Bleach and antibacterial sprays
Ammonia-based cleaners
Heavy-duty powders
Wipes, oils, nappies, or sanitary items down the loo

Warning Signs Your Septic System May Be Failing

A healthy septic system runs quietly in the background. But when things go wrong, the signs are usually hard to miss. Keep an eye out for:
• Slow drains or gurgling pipes – A sign your tank may be full or your trenches blocked.
• Odours near the tank or drains – Strong sewage smells around the yard or inside the house aren’t normal.
• Wet patches or lush green grass – Soggy ground or unusually green strips near the absorption area can mean effluent is surfacing.
• Toilets backing up – One of the clearest red flags that your system is overdue for pumping.
• Alarm sounding (for AWTS) – Many treatment plants (Biocycle, Taylex, Septech) have alarms that signal pump or aerator issues.
• Frequent need for plunging – If blockages keep returning, it could be your septic, not your pipes.

🌳 Tree Roots: Roots can crack lids, invade pipes, and choke trenches. Avoid planting willows, gums, or poplars near your system.

Checklist for Choosing a Septic Service Provider

Not all pump-out companies are the same. When selecting a provider, look for:
• ISO Certification – Proof they meet internationally recognised standards for safety, quality, and environmental management.
• Decades of experience – A long track record shows reliability and the ability to handle different tank types and tricky situations.
• Fleet capability – Modern, well-maintained vehicles (from small access trucks to large vacuum tankers) that can suit your property.
• Environmental commitment – A team that disposes of waste only at authorised treatment facilities and minimises environmental impact.
• Professional reputation – Customer reviews, referrals, and a history of delivering on promises.

Questions Your Service Provider Will Ask

When was your last pump-out?
Do you know where the tank is? Are lids accessible?
Can the truck park close by?
What type of system do you have (Biocycle, Taylex, Septech…)?
How many litres does it hold?
Preferred date/time?
Can pets be secured away from the work area?

When Things Go Wrong: Emergency Pump-Outs

At Stows, we often get calls on weekends from property owners, event organisers, and even wedding venues who suddenly discover their septic tank is full — right in the middle of a big gathering. Few things can ruin a day faster than overflowing toilets at an event.

The best approach is to organise a pump-out before your big event so everything runs smoothly on the day. Whether it’s a backyard party, a festival, or a sporting event, making sure your system is ready avoids the risk of embarrassing overflows — and keeps your guests comfortable.

Quick Care Checklist

Pump every 2–5 years (or as per system type)
Always open all lids and remove all solids
Desludge AWTS chambers carefully, in stages
Refill Biocycle systems with water after pumping
Use septic-safe detergents
Keep lids clear, pets away, and truck access open
Don’t drive or build over your tank
Watch for warning signs: odours, slow drains, soggy patches

Wrap-Up

Your septic might be out of sight, but it should never be out of mind. Regular care means fewer surprises, lower costs, and a system that lasts for decades.

If you’re in Melbourne and need professional septic tank pumping, Stows Waste Management has been helping households and businesses for decades — with the right gear, know-how, and focus on compliance and the environment.

📞 Call us today to book your Septic Tank Pump-out and keep things flowing smoothly.