Hemley’s Septic Tank Cleaning & Rooter Service

After an initial dealing with Hemley’s that got real weird real fast, I chose to deal with another company.

As usual, prompt and efficient service. Friendly workers. A Hemley customer for 25 years.

We used Hemley’s to pump and inspect our septic tank this summer. The pumping went fine. Fast forward to now, about 4 months later and we are smelling sewage. I look around it seems to be seeping from the pipe area between the septic tank and our drain field. I call them to have them check it out. They say they can and the cost for service call was $ 195 and $ 55/​half hour for digging. Let me repeat: they wanted $ 110/​hour for someone to dig the ground!
This being a messy job I decided to let them do it. They say they will be there two days later. The next day I get a call saying they have some questions. They say that they can save me the inspection money if I let them pump the septic tank. I explain to them a second time that they just did that. She says that is not possible because their files say our system is gravity fed and not pumped. I explain to them that it is pumped and I was there when their person went over it and pumped it. Well, she keeps arguing with me left and right.
While she was pushing me over and over on this, I asked if they can rule out that this is not a problem with our neighbor’s septic. At this time she went crazy telling me in no uncertain terms would they step on neighbor’s yard even if I got their permission and paid for that. I said fine. Just have them come and check out our system on our property. She said they would be there Thursday morning.
Thursday morning comes and no one shows up. At 1:00 pm I call and get their vmail. I leave a message. By 2:00pm no one has called. I call again and get a person. I give them my name and address and she comes back and says «you are not on schedule.» I ask why and she steps away and comes back with: «you told us to inspect your neighbor’s system and we don’t do that.» Before I could say a word she goes on with, «you need to get someone else» and hangs up on me! Unbelievable.
I paid nearly $ 400 for the system to be pumped that was supposed to be «free» per Pierce County incentive program. And these guys can’t even be bothered to come and inspect the system as they were supposed to and I was willing to pay $ 110/​hour for digging? And then just hang up on me? Please stay away from them. This company doesn’t care about customers.

Very poor business practices. Set appointments never called or came. When I called and asked was told I remember you but must have lost paper work.

We should have listened to the warning signs ! Never use Hemleys. But we did ! And what a mistake that was. Very dishonest about the price and work. Once they get started they find all kinds of problems and overcharge you. I will never use this company again !

My dad has always used these guys to pump his tank, so when my septic alarm went off, I gave them a call. On the phone, the rep was able to tell me what had already been done recently on my system by pulling county records. She quoted me a price for a full inspection and let me know that there may be additional costs to resolve the issue, once it is diagnosed. They were able to get a tech out same day and resolve the issue. The tech was very professional and very detailed. When he left, I had a good understanding of how the system worked. So far, my family has never had a bad experience.