Where is Hartigan located?
Our offices are in Stowe, Vermont.

Is Hartigan part of a big national corporation?
No. Hartigan is locally owned and owner-operated.

How much do municipal services cost?
We taylor service programs to accomodate your municipal budgetary constraints.

What is your availability and response time?
Response time to any emergency is the highest priority. Our fleet of service vehicles are constantly in transit throughout Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont and are able to be rerouted to your location — within hours of your call.

What is a septic system?
A septic system is actually a small sewage treatment and disposal system with two main components: a septic tank, and a soil absorption area (also commonly called a “leach field.”) More.

What happens in a septic tank?
When household waste enters the tank, organic solids float to the surface. Inorganics sink to the bottom.

Bacteria decompose the organic matter, and relatively clear water flows out of the tank into the soil absorption area.

Why should I have my home's septic tank serviced?
A septic tank is just one component of your home's larger septic system. Failure to service the tank regularly can cause the entire system to fail.

How often should my tank be serviced?
We recommend every three years for a system that has no problems.

What signs would tell me if my system is in trouble?
Sluggish toilets and drains. Backups. Gurgling pipes and rains. Nasty odor outside. Pooling water, mushy and saturated ground, or greener grass in the leach field area.

What could cause my septic system to fail?
A wide variety of things. Incorrect installation and/or placement. Overloading—exceeding the system's designed limits. Introducing harmful chemicals (including bleach and water softeners) or inorganic materials like sanitary napkins and garbage disposal waste.

Should I be putting special additives into my septic tank?
Acids and chemicals can kill the helpful bacteria in a tank. Yeast and baking soda can harm the tank's bacteria by altering pH levels.

What kinds of maintenance do I need to do to keep my system working properly?
Two things. One: Sludge that gathers in the bottom of the septic tank has to be pumped out on a regular basis. Frequency depends on tank size, intensity of use, and system health. Two: don't introduce chemicals into the tank that can kill bacteria, which digest solids. The list is long, but in most households includes bleach, water softeners, ammonia, chemical cleaners, detergents, disinfectants, toilet cleaners, polishes, sink and tub cleaners, and caustic drain openers.