Smitty’s Septic Service Changes Hands

Terry Smith, owner/operator of Smitty’s Septic Service of Barnesville for the past 30 years, recently sold the business to John Gibeaut of Morristown.

Smith started the company in 1994 when he purchased it from Harry Skinner, who launched the business a few years earlier as primarily a septic tank cleaning service.

Terry expanded the business into several related service areas. An inquiry by Laco Pickens of Pickens Hauling about renting a porta-john led to a highly successful rental business. Launching the business with six units, Smith expanded the inventory to over 350 that were almost always in use during the warmer seasons. The business was built on “a reputation of having very clean well serviced units,” Smith said.

Another area for expansion Smith said was in the electric snake drain cleaning service.

As technology in this area improved, a sewer line locator and TV sewer line camera were added allowing more precise pinpointing of problem areas.

As word got around about the excellent reputation of the business, Smith was able to employ up to four employees to keep up with demand.

During and after the Covid epidemic when it became increasingly difficult to find employees, Smith decided to break up the business.

In September 2022, the porta-john business was sold to Sparky Septic of nearby Lewisville as Smith continued to operate the septic pumping and the electric snake service and the TV camera line inspection business.

A year ago, however, Terry was diagnosed with lung cancer that resulted in the loss of one-third of a lung. This year additional testing revealed pancreatic cancer. Frequent trips to The James Cancer Hospital at The Ohio State University for radiation, chemotherapy and immunotherapy to treat this cancer, have shone some promise.

Terry and his wife, Nancy, decided to continue providing the excellent service Smitty’s customers expect, it was time to sell the business.

Earlier this year, John Giebeaut of Morristown approached the Smiths about purchasing it.

Gibeaut took ownership of Smithy’s Septic Service along with the sewer drain snake service and TV inspection of lines in September. The business will continue to operate as Smitty’s Septic Service and the phone number remains the same (740) 425- 1320.

After 30 years of dedicated work, Terry Smith offered “thanks to God for all his blessings as well as all of the family members, loyal customers, friends, business associates and the valuable past employees who had a huge hand in helping the success of Smitty’s Septic Service for the past 30 years”.