Had the septic pumped today

That's not the best theory to operate on unless you can inspect the inside of the tank periodically. When a septic system does break it is waaaaaay more expensive that just a pumping as the solids clog the field lines which will many times need replacing. Many times this becomes a nightmare especially if the inspector is involved and rules have changed since the tank/field lines have been installed. My SIL waited until the system failed and it took a larhe home equity loan and an elaborate septic system to meet codes.

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"Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self confidence"
Robert Frost

The round pipes on top of a septic tank are likely inspection ports, rather than pumping portals. I believe the standard inspection is to put a long measure down into the tank which will note the amount of slug on the bottom. After it reaches a certain height for the size tank pumping is recommended.

Now this assumes someone isn't dumb enough to use a product like Rid-Ex. The purpose of a septic tank is to act as a holding tank to allow bacteria to break down solids. Relatively clean water is then discharged into the drain field. Rid-Ex type products prevent this from happening, keeping the solids in suspension to be flushed out into the drain field, eventually clogging them. My understanding is it is illegal to sell Rid-Ex type products in some states. Your tank sludge level will look great, but at the expense of the drain field.

Spinner, with logic like that why should I ever have to change the oil in my pickup? Hey the truck runs so why change the oil? It ain't broke, don't fix it....right?

Anyways, very excellent response, Ken! Everyting you said is right on. The way that I check the sludge level in my tank is by making a "dipstick." The dipstick is simply a long stick with a light colored or white strip of rag stapled to the bottom three feet of the stick. Dip the stick into the outlet baffle inspection port (pipe), pull it out and see to what height the cloth is stained. The depth of sludge should be no higher than 12" from the bottom of the outlet baffle.

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This is the government the Founding Fathers warned us about.....

"The depth of sludge should be no higher than 12" from the bottom of the outlet baffle."

Added: The high water mark on the measure should be the bottom of the outlet baffle.

So we know what to look for when we have ours pumped, how do they swirl and mix the tank contents before they pump it out?

Thank you.

The septic pump generally will suck some water out of the septic tank into his truck until the tank is about 1/2 empty....or down to the sludge level. Then he will pump it back into the tank to start a swirling motion of the tank's contents. He may also break up scum (floating fats) and sludge with a pick or shovel. He is doing all of this work thru the 20" manhole which is usally in the center of the septic tank, He may also use your household hose to "pressure wash" sludge, scum and grit that is being stubborn. When he is finished, you should be able to look inside your tank and see that it is relatively free of any debris. The pumper should also check and see if your inlet and outlet baffles are intact and whether you have any cracks in your septic tank.

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This is the government the Founding Fathers warned us about.....

Thank you for the info, Cabin Fever.