31 Essential Septic Tank Tools to Pump up Business for 2025

The Septic Tools List

First, a quick look at the list of 31 best tools for septic tank service providers. 

There’s information on each below, so you can dig into the details and see what your septic service still needs to succeed.

Septic service vehicles

• Septic service truck: A vehicle with a mounted pump for waste removal and transportation to a dump site.

• Jetting truck: A vehicle outfitted with high-pressure water jets to clean pipes and remove blockages.

Septic tank locator tools

• Metal detector: Locates buried metal components such as tank covers and pipes.

• Flushable septic tank locator: This small device is flushed into the toilet and then tracked to locate a tank. It works on non-metallic piping.

• Electronic septic tank locator: This uses electrical signals to locate underground tanks without excavation. 

• Plumbing cleanout snake: A rotating, long, flexible tool inserted into pipes to clear internal debris and blockages.

• Ground-scanning radar: Advanced sonar equipment to locate disturbed-earth sites that indicate underground infrastructure.

Septic tank probes

• Soil probe rod: A long hollow rod used to probe the ground to find tanks or determine soil conditions by taking samples.

• Steel probe rod: Stronger probing rod made from steel for pushing through dry soil and gravel.

• Septic tank probe rod: A T-shaped probe rod with a pointed tip is designed explicitly for tactile feedback to find septic tank lids.

Septic tank inspection tools

• Long wooden pole or sludge judge: Measures the depth of the sludge and scum layers inside the septic tank.

• Visual inspection of baffles, tees, and walls: Basic inspection tools to view and access septic system components. 

• Video inspection equipment: Sends real-time video capture devices into pipes and tanks for visual inspection where technicians can’t fit. 

• Thermal imaging camera: Detects leaks and underground temperature variations.

• Remote-controlled crawler camera: Provides advanced video inspections for hard-to-reach areas.

Septic tank cleaning tools

• Pump truck: A vehicle with a powerful suction pump to remove waste from the septic tank.

• High-capacity vacuum: Extracts viscous material like sludge layers more effectively.

• Sewer jet, or high-velocity water jet: Uses a narrow nozzle to direct high-pressure water streams into tanks and pipes for cleaning.

• Muck rake: A handheld tool for breaking up thick scum layers on the top of septic tanks.

• Wayne ball: An inflatable rubber ball with spiral grooves designed for hydraulic cleaning of blocked pipes.

• Wrecking bar: A heavy-duty bar for prying open stubborn septic tank lids.

• Power rodding (aka ‘plumbing rodding’): A mechanical tool is fed into pipes to dislodge blockages in preparation for hydro-jetting. 

• Septic tank risers: An extension added to the top of a deep septic tank to make them easier to locate.

• Portable Sludge Sampler: Compact tool for quick sludge measurements on-site.

• Backflow Preventers: Ensures sewage doesn’t back up during cleaning operations.

Septic tank maintenance products

• Alarms and control panels: To monitor and trigger alerts at specified thresholds in larger and more complex systems.

• Effluent filters trap the solid components in wastewater before they exit the tank, preventing ingress to the drain field.

• Vent pipe odor filters: Filters volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and unpleasant odors from septic system vent piping.

• Septic business software: Software such as ServiceTitan, designed for septic technicians and businesses to manage jobs, inventory, and customer details.

• Septic Tank Treatment Tablets: Maintain bacterial balance to reduce solid buildup.

• Bio-Enzyme Products: Break down grease and organic matter in drain fields.

Septic Service Vehicles

Your septic service vehicle is the heart of your operation. Without it, septic tank work simply can’t get done.

These specialized vehicles come in two main types:

• Septic service trucks

• Jetting trucks

Choosing the right one depends on the type of jobs you’re handling, the terrain, and your business's waste disposal requirements.

Septic service truck

These heavy-duty workhorses come equipped with a slide-on vacuum tank and a mounted pump designed to do one thing—extract and transport waste. Septic services often choose trucks with high-capacity tanks to handle large jobs or multiple smaller jobs within a single route.

When building your service truck, the tank material is a key feature to consider. Stainless steel tanks provide durability, especially if you’re hauling hazardous or corrosive waste.

Consider trucks with multi-compartment tanks that separate solids and liquids, streamlining the disposal process.

Jetting truck

These trucks have high-pressure water systems for unclogging pipes, cutting through roots, and flushing out debris. 

For septic technicians, high-pressure jets must blast away grease buildup in lines or eliminate tough blockages. They’re designed for precise but powerful cleaning, and most models allow you to adjust the PSI to suit specific tasks such as residential cleaning (requiring less pressure) and commercial drain lines (requiring very high pressure).

Both vehicles are invaluable assets to have on-site, and a combination of the two should form a large part of your overall septic business plan.

Septic Tank Locator Tools

Typically buried underground and constructed from concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene, a septic tank serves as a holding tank or separation chamber for wastewater flushed down drain pipes. 

Solid matter sinks to the bottom and forms sludge, while fats, oils, and grease rise to the top as scum. The remaining liquid effluent flows out of the tank into a drain field.

Some visual clues can serve as a simple septic locator, such as:

• Snow melt

• Rectangular depressions in the soil

• Areas with varied grass growth

• Pipes sticking out of the ground

Septic tanks are usually located 10 to 25 feet from the house and typically no closer than three feet away.

If visual clues fail, it’s time to try using other septic tank locating equipment. For instance, here are some tips on how to find a septic tank with a metal detector:

• Metal septic tanks or metal septic tank covers can be found with a metal detector.

• A concrete septic tank can be found using a metal detector to locate its steel reinforcement bars.

• Some septic tanks don’t have enough metal to detect, so you may need to run a plumbing cleanout snake down the sewer line. The cleanout snake stops once it reaches the septic tank, and you can use a metal detector to locate the end of the snake.

Other options used as a septic tank locator device include:

• Flushable septic tank locator: Flush an electronic septic tank locator down the toilet and track its signal with a receiver. Typically, you’ll locate the septic tank wherever the signal on the septic locator transmitter is strongest.

• Ground-scanning radar: Often used by companies to locate buried oil tanks, radar can also be used as a septic tank sensor. However, this service may cost customers more.

A note of caution: When using metal detectors or electronic septic tank locator tools, be aware of older properties with multiple buried wires and pipes that can produce false readings. 

Also, do not use backhoes, wrecking bars, or jackhammers to excavate in areas where dangerous utility lines may be buried or in areas weakened by septic tank failure.

Septic Tank Probes

In general, septic contractors use a soil probe rod or ground probe rod to detect buried drain lines on a customer’s property. 

Once a septic contractor determines where the sewer pipe exits the home, they typically insert a thin metal rod or steel probe rod into the ground 10 to 15 feet away from the foundation to find the drain lines. Then, they follow the lines to the buried septic tank. In some cases, they may use an electronic probe to locate the tank.

Be careful when using a septic tank probe rod in soft or wet soil. Probing or digging over a failing septic tank can cause a fatal cave-in, send effluent to the surface, or possibly release dangerous, toxic odors.

A septic probe can also be used to determine how to locate septic tank field lines. Find the tank’s end opposite the house, then follow the drain lines to the leach field. Possible septic tank failure signs include lush vegetation, soft, spongy ground, a sewage odor, or effluence at the surface.

Septic Tank Inspection Tools

Once the tank is located and accessed, a septic contractor measures the liquid levels before deploying any septic tank cleaning tools. The levels can be measured by inserting a long wooden pole into different areas of the tank.

The amount of sludge and scum on the wooden pole when you pull it out indicates the level of cleaning needed. You can also buy a sludge judge (a long hollow plastic tube with a check valve in the bottom) for about $75.

A T-shaped outlet in the septic tank prevents sludge and scum from entering the drain field. According to the EPA, if the bottom of the scum layer is within 6 inches of the bottom of the outlet or if the top of the sludge layer is within 12 inches of the outlet, the tank needs to be pumped. Household septic tanks usually need to be pumped every three to five years.

Septic tank inspection also involves checking the condition of the baffles and tees (which prevent sewage backflow into the inlet or outlet pipe) and any signs of cracks in the tank's walls. Some companies may use video inspection equipment to thoroughly inspect the tank and other septic system components.

Sometimes, a simple visual or video-aided inspection cannot find the root cause of blockage and leakage issues. In these particular cases, especially when excavation is disruptive, contractors can turn to more advanced tools like the following:

Thermal imaging cameras

These are advanced cameras that display temperature fluctuations as different colors on the screen. 

For example, colder areas in the field of view appear as cooler colors, such as blue or green, while warmer areas, such as those containing fresh effluent or decomposing waste, will appear as yellow or orange. Dangerously hot areas, such as electrical faults on panels or inside tanks, will appear red. 

These cameras are an efficient way to determine leakages quickly without excavation. 

Remote-controlled crawler camera

Sometimes referred to as ‘ROVs’ (Remotely Operated Vehicles), these remote-controlled crawlers are used for hard-to-reach areas like the inside of pipes and tanks.

They are compact and feature a camera mounted on the front that can self-clean and illuminate the immediate area so technicians can get an accurate picture of the cause of blockages and leaks.

Septic Tank Cleaning Tools

Septic tank service providers use a pump truck with a high-capacity vacuum to remove waste from a septic tank. They also might use other septic tools, such as a sewer jet or high-velocity water jet, to remove clogs or hard-to-reach areas of the tank.

Other septic tank tools used on the job include:

• Muck rake: A long, hoe-like tool used to break up scum and sludge during pumping.

• Wayne ball: A spirally grooved, inflatable, semi-hard rubber ball used as a septic pipe cleaning tool with hydraulic jet action.

• Wrecking bar: A long, steel bar typically used for opening septic tank covers.

• Power rod: A high-tech version of the basic drain snake. It uses a flexible, thin metal cable that doesn't overstress delicate plumbing when threaded through pipes.

• Septic tank risers: A pipe made of either plastic, fiberglass, or concrete that creates a vertical portal to the septic tank at ground level. Contractors often suggest installing this septic equipment to provide easier access for their septic tank pumping tools.

• Portable sludge sampler: These compact tools allow technicians to quickly grab small sections or multi-sections of sludge at different levels for sampling. These samples can quickly determine a tank's readiness for emptying without removing tank covers.

• Backflow preventers: Devices installed on-site to prevent tank contents from backflowing into the septic inflow piping. They protect both the household and workspace from contamination during maintenance and repair.

Septic Tank Maintenance Products

Keeping your customers’ septic systems running requires more than just cleaning and pumping. These maintenance products ensure longevity and efficiency.

Alarms and control panels are installed in complex septic systems to measure the levels of the main and overflow tanks and report system failures of submerged pumps. These help prevent costly system repairs in the event of individual component failure.

Effluent filters are placed at the tank outlet, preventing floating solid waste from entering the drain field. This minimizes the risk of clogs and unpleasant odors.

For homes where in-line air traps have failed to address odors, activated carbon vent pipe filters can be placed on vent stacks to absorb VOCs and odorous gasses.

Additionally, septic tank treatment tablets can be added to the septic main tanks and use bacteria to break down solid waste, reducing the likelihood of blockages and increasing the time between pumping-down visits. 

Bio-enzyme products can also be added to break down organic material in drain fields, improving system efficiency and preventing blockages. 

What Should I Look for When Choosing Septic Tank Tools?

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow your septic service business, choosing the right septic tank tools can make or break your operation.

Search online, and you’ll see many options available. But there are a few things to look out for when selecting tools.

• Durability: Septic tools must withstand harsh conditions, including rugged terrain and corrosive waste. Look for tools made from high-quality, corrosion-resistant materials like stainless steel or heavy-duty plastics. 

• Precision: Accuracy is essential when dealing with septic systems. Probes and cameras should provide precise measurements and accurate diagnostics to prevent costly mistakes and misidentification of infrastructure. 

• Ease of use: Tools that are easy to operate and don’t require long preparation time improve job efficiency and reduce downtime. Look for intuitive designs that don’t require extensive training.

• Compatibility: Choose tools that work with your existing equipment and don’t require you to be locked into proprietary systems. Universal fittings and adaptable tools can save time and money when switching between tasks.

• Safety: Septic work involves exposure to harmful gasses and dangerous waste. Choose tools with built-in safety features such as insulated handles, ventilation, or pressure relief valves to keep your team safe. 

• Innovative technologies: The septic industry is always evolving, and so are the tools of the trade. To stay ahead of the curve, take advantage of modern innovations such as wireless and remote-control tools and high-definition cameras.

Beyond choosing the right tools, managing your septic service business with the right software is just as important.

Beyond Just Tools: Streamline Septic Service Operations with ServiceTitan

Running a successful septic service business requires many physical tools, but efficiency, organization, and customer service are also important, which means you need the right software tools.

That’s where ServiceTitan steps in. With real-time scheduling, GPS tracking, digital estimates, and automated invoicing, ServiceTitan’s cloud-based field and admin software streamlines every aspect of your septic service business.

Take Van Delden Wastewater Systems, a fourth-generation Texas septic business, for example. After implementing ServiceTitan’s software, their efficiency improved by 100 percent. ServiceTitan’s automation allows them to grow service offerings, increase customer satisfaction, and simplify day-to-day operations.

For septic service companies looking to grow their business in 2024, ServiceTitan is the ultimate tool for streamlining operations and boosting profitability. 

Business Valuation Calculator 

Want to know the current value of your septic service company? The free ServiceTitan Business Valuation Calculator can help you identify key metrics to track growth and profitability or show you how much your local septic business might be worth if you decide to sell it. 

Invoice Generator 

Supply your septic crew with a mobile tool to easily create and save invoices. Then, email or text them from the field using ServiceTitan’s free Invoice Generator Tool. Eliminate paperwork, streamline invoicing, and give customers a convenient, professional digital invoice they can pay online or on the job site.

Labor Rate Calculator 

See how much each employee truly costs your septic service company and determine how much to charge customers with ServiceTitan’s free interactive Labor Rate Calculator. Plug in critical metrics, such as overhead costs and ideal net profit, to tabulate the billable hourly labor rate required to cover the cost of doing business and maximize profitability.

Pipe Volume Calculator 

Calculate how much liquid waste a piping section can handle and tally how much those pipes weigh when full with the free ServiceTitan Pipe Volume Calculator. Septic tank specialists can easily convert pipe volume and mass using six different measurement units to save time, reduce waste, improve accuracy, and confirm appropriate pipe size for any septic job.

ROI Calculator

With our complimentary ServiceTitan ROI Calculator, your septic business can fully capitalize on all of ServiceTitan’s field management platform's features and yield a positive return on investment. Discover your profit potential with higher average tickets and an increase in daily calls, booked appointments, estimates, and jobs sold.

Service Business Grader 

Measure the performance of your septic service company with ServiceTitan’s Service Business Grader Tool. In less than a minute, discover how your septic tank service techs and dispatchers stack up by evaluating average ticket sales and other key metrics.

Mobile App & Tablet

Make it easy for customers to order, buy, and pay for your company’s septic services with a simple tap, click, or swipe on a mobile tablet. Using ServiceTitan’s Mobile App, techs build tiered estimates out in the field with vibrant photos, manufacturer videos, and detailed product information so customers can browse and buy at their own pace—just like shopping online.

Give your customers the mobile-driven service they prefer by adding ServiceTitan’s Mobile App to your techs’ arsenal of tools. Other key features include:

• Data Access: Techs have access to all CSR-collected information, such as customer names, addresses, contact information, outstanding estimates, job histories, property details, prior invoices, call recordings, notes, and more.

• Customization: Upload your own forms and pricebooks, and manage pricing and product updates easily across the entire ServiceTitan cloud-based system.

• Job Automation: Automatically trigger certain forms to appear as the job progresses, so techs know which steps to take at every stage—from diagnosis and repair to invoicing and requesting a review.

• Mobile Payments: Get paid faster by capturing checks and credit cards via the mobile tablet camera or adding a credit card swiper. If customers prefer to pay with cash, techs can also accept that and automatically document payment in the field.

The Bottom Line

Equipping your septic service technicians with the right tools can improve efficiency, safety, customer satisfaction, and business growth.

When choosing tools for your septic business, remember that the right software can streamline your operations, boost revenue, and improve your team’s performance.

ServiceTitan is the leading software solution for home service businesses, offering tools for scheduling, dispatch, invoicing, and more. Ready to grow your septic business? Learn more today.