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Career Details : Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners

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Description

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.

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a drywall installer might benefit from experience installing drywall, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be an installer with little difficulty.

Education

These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.

Training

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.

Tasks

  • Requisitions tools and equipment and prepares records showing actions taken.
  • Breaks asphalt and other pavement, using airhammer, pick, and shovel.
  • Installs rotary knives on flexible cable, mounted on reel of machine, according to diameter of pipe to be cleaned.
  • Rotates cleaning rods manually with turning pin.
  • Operates sewer cleaning equipment, including power rodder, high velocity water jet, sewer flusher, bucket machine, wayne ball, and vac-all.
  • Notifies coworkers to dig out ruptured line or digs out shallow sewers, using shovel.
  • Starts machine to feed revolving cable or rods into opening, stopping machine and changing knives to conform to pipe size.
  • Covers repaired pipe with dirt and packs backfilled excavation, using air and gasoline tamper.
  • Taps mainline sewers to install sewer saddles.
  • Inspects manholes to locate stoppage of sewer line and repaired sewer line joints to ensure tightness, prior to backfilling.
  • Cleans and disinfects domestic basements and other areas flooded as result of sewer stoppages.
  • Measures distance of excavation site, using plumbers' snake, tapeline, or length of cutting head within sewer, and marks trenching area.
  • Drives pickup trucks to haul crew, materials, and equipment.
  • Communicates with supervisor and other workers, using radiotelephone.
  • Services, adjusts, and makes minor repairs to equipment, machines, and attachments.
  • Updates sewer maps and manhole charting.
  • Cuts damaged section of pipe with cutters, removes broken section from ditch, and replaces pipe section, using pipe sleeve.
  • Withdraws cable and observes residue for evidence of mud, roots, grease, and other deposits indicating broken or clogged sewer line.
  • Cleans sewage collection points and sanitary lines and repairs catch basins, manholes, culverts, and storm drains.

    Important Abilities

    General Work Activities

    Important Skills

    Frequent Work Context

    • Outdoors
    • Consequence of Error
    • Using Hands on Objects, Tools, Controls
    • Standing
    • Common Protective or Safety Attire
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