Monthly Archives: July 2020

portable toilets in Napa, CA

Your Dishwasher And Your Septic Tank

It’s nice not to have to wash the dishes after dinner every night and, in reality, using a dishwasher saves water over running the sink constantly to clean dishes. But if you have a septic tank, you know that you can’t just put anything down the drain. And that includes dishwasher soap. You don’t want to have to get septic tank pumping in Vallejo, CA more often because of what you put down that drain.

Here are a few tips that help you figure out what you need for your dishwasher and your septic tank.

Dishwashers, similar to washing machines, use a lot of water. You won’t want to run the dishwasher at the same time as the washing machine, for example. But the detergent is also important. If you get detergents that say anti-bacterial on them, that might sound like a good thing. Normally, it would be, but not for a septic tank. When you get anti-bacterial matter in the septic tank, it can kill off the good bacteria that is working hard to break down the solid waste in the tank. Then, the tank fills up quickly and you have to get pumping done way sooner than you would have otherwise.

Without bacteria, your septic tank fills up, backs up, causes unpleasant odors, and can have all sorts of other issues. You also want to keep an eye on detergent that has phosphates in it. These elements can kill the enzymes in the tank as well as bacteria. Phosphates are chemicals that help to get grime and food from the dishes, but the chemicals are a threat to the septic system. They are also very toxic so it might be better overall not to use them anyway.

So, which of the dishwasher detergents are best? Look at the labels, just as you would your food and find something that is phosphate-free, non-antibacterial, and eco-friendly. IF it says it is biodegradable, that is great. The boxes should be labeled with those terms and once you find a brand and type that works, you can simply buy it over and over again.

It is always best to run your dishwasher when it is full, so you don’t have to run it very often. Make the most of the water it uses. It’s going to use the same amount of water no matter how many dishes are in there, so run it full, even if you have to wait a day to fill it the rest of the way.

septic tank pumping in Napa, CA

If you have any other questions about dishwashers, laundry machines, or anything else in your house as it pertains to septic tank pumping in Vallejo, CA, the professionals at American Sanitation Inc are here to help. We can give you tips and tricks to keep your septic tank in the best possible conditions, so you are able to limit the times you have to have it pumped out as the years go by. You’ll need it eventually, but it’s nice to space things out when you can.

Dishwasher Detergent for Septic Systems

With so many dishwashing detergents available in the supermarket, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your septic system. They come in many forms such as cartridges, gel, liquids, pacs, powders, and tablets so it might be difficult to find the best for you. Water is the primary ingredient in liquid soaps, while alkaline salts such as sodium carbonate are used in powder soaps. Detergent is the principal active component. Thickening and stabilizing ingredients are included in many products.

Question: Is dishwasher detergent or dish soap harmful to the septic tank or drainfield of a septic system?

Answer: The amount of dishwashing detergent used in sinks that reaches the septic system is so small that it is extremely dilute when it reaches the septic tank. It is diluted enough that it will not affect the bacteria in the septic tank at regular levels of household dishwasher consumption.

Dishwasher Pods and Septic Systems

Septic systems are safe when using non-toxic, organic manufactured detergent pods. They are easily dissolved in water. They don’t clog the pipes and don’t affect the stain. Look at the label or pack of detergent pods that are labeled as “green” or “environmentally friendly.”

portable toilets in Napa, CA

Knowing Handicap Accessible Portable Toilet Rules

If you need to place portable toilets in Napa, CA for an event, a job site, or a business, it’s possible you will need handicap accessibility in those toilets. If that is of concern to you, you will want to know the differences between regular and handicap accessible toilets so you can get the right fit for your situation. There are, of course, specially made handicap accessible portable toilets that will be everything you need, but there are also some regular portable toilets that can pass for handicap accessible toilets. Here are some of the requirements that handicap accessible portable toilets need to follow:

A Door Wide Enough For A Wheelchair

Not all handicapped individuals have a wheelchair, but you need to make sure the door is wide enough for a wheelchair to get through it. That way, someone with a walker or someone on crutches also has extra space to maneuver. You can measure a wheelchair and then measure the portable toilet doors to make sure it is a good fit.

A Ramp Entrance

Portable toilets in Santa Rosa sit pretty low to the ground, but there can be a little lip at the entrance that people have to step over. It’s wise for the portable toilet to have at least a small ramp so handicapped individuals can get over that lip or step without having any trouble. Some of the portable toilets will come with that or you might have to fashion something.

Enough Interior Space

If you were to go into a portable toilet in a wheelchair, you would go in one direction, but need to come out the other direction. The portable toilet needs to have enough room for someone inside to turn around in a wheelchair. This is also helpful for those on crutches who need extra space for their cast and for maneuvering. This interior space can also be helpful for parents of young children. They might have to take a child in and help them and that extra space can be very helpful.

portable toilets in Napa, CAThere might be some occasions where you have to have handicap accessible toilets available. The Americans with Disabilities Act outlines regulations and have details that can help you understand what you need. In addition to the above, they also want you to have magnetic doors for easy closing, grab bars inside that are reinforced, and 1 handicap toilet on site for every 20 regular portable toilets.

If you have the need for any kind of portable toilets in Napa, CA, the professionals at American Sanitation Inc can help you figure out just what to rent. We’re here to help with placement after you decide what you need for your situation as well. We can set up a cleaning schedule and be with you every step of the way to ensure you meet every need that might be present at your event, work site, or business. We can show you various options and help you decide what’s best for your circumstances that are coming up.

septic tank pumping in Vallejo, CA

What To Expect And When You Need Septic Tank Pumping

Routine septic tank pumping in Napa, CA is essential for keeping your system healthy and running well. But if you are new to owning a septic tank, you may have no idea when you need a pumping and what happens when that pumping occurs. Here are tips to help you figure both out so you can stay on top of your home’s septic tank needs.

First, it’s important to know when you need a septic tank pumping whenever you have a septic tank on your property. IF you notice slow draining or flushing, that’s an early sign that can tell you that the need is coming. If you notice a lush drain field area where the grass is extra green and fluffy, the excess waste could be leaving your tank and fertilizing that area of the lawn. If you notice a stink in the toilets, drains, or even in the yard, that’s another sign that pumping is necessary. Or, if water is pooling in your yard, the tank could be full. If you also have a well, you will want to check up on nitrate levels. If you notice that the nitrates are high, your septic tank might be seeping into that water and you want to get pumping done immediately.

Once you know that your septic tank is getting full and you need pumping, it’s smart to give the septic pumping company a call. They can talk you through everything they are going to do, but you may want to know what to expect as well. Here are a few things that will happen when they arrive on your property.

septic tanks in Napa, CA

They will locate the tank lid first. If you know where it is, you can tell them, but if you don’t, they can easily find it for you and show you where it is. It’s good to know for the future. They will then remove the lid, which is something you should let the technicians do and not do yourself. They will check the tank’s liquid level and see if there are any other issues that need to be addressed, like leaking or problems in the drain field. They will them pump the tank by inserting a hose that sucks out the solid waste and liquid. Once the waste is pumped, they’ll pull the line out and check for backups or other issues. They will wash the tank out with clean water and inspect everything, then, cover it back up.

Having septic tank pumping in Napa, CA done once every few years is the best thing you can do for your system. It’s a necessary item that you have to do when it’s needed. If you aren’t sure what kind of a pumping schedule you should be on, watch for the signs or call American Sanitation Inc and we can help you estimate based on how large your family is, how much water you use, and when the last time pumping was done.

portable toilets in Vallejo

Businesses That Might Need Portable Toilet Rentals

Small businesses might offer quite a few amenities to their customers and workers. But having portable toilets in Vallejo, CA is something that can add a little extra to the company. If you work with one of these types of businesses, you need to have a good relationship with a portable toilet company so you can get your needs met each and every time a need arises.

Septic Companies

Septic companies go out and help homeowners and others with their septic tanks. At times, that means the home’s plumbing has to be shut down. When that’s the case, the family or business may need a portable toilet to get them by. It’s nice for them to be able to get that rental taken care of through the septic company.

Party Rental Businesses

Many party rental businesses will rent things like tables and other party needs, but they will also want to have access to a portable toilet company so they can make recommendations based on experience for those needs. Not every party will need portable toilets, but anything outside very well might.

Agricultural Operations

Farmers and those who run agricultural businesses are going to likely need portable toilets for their workers. Those that are open for customers, like apple picking places or pumpkin patches, will also need options for people who come to enjoy the outdoors and their facilities. The needs may change from year to year and the operations may only need the portable toilets during certain seasons, along with cleaning options and maintenance.

Wedding Planners

Wedding planners are supposed to take over the event, follow the couple’s directions, and get everything in place for the big day. No bride or groom really wants to think about portable toilets in Napa, CA when they could be picking out flowers and other such things. So, it’s a good idea for wedding planners to have a relationship with a portable toilet company so they can take care of needs at an outdoor wedding or reception without any problems.

Construction Companies

Construction workers often have to be on the job site for long periods of time with no running water. Wherever they are sent, the company that sends them needs to have portable toilets arranged for that site. There are a certain number needed per worker on site and the right construction company will be able to work with a portable toilet company on a regular basis to get things delivered at the right time and in the right location.

portable toilet in Santa Rosa

There are many other companies that can work on getting portable toilets in Vallejo, CA, either on an on-going basis or temporarily. If you see a need for your business, reach out to American Sanitation Inc and we can assess your needs and help you get things ready for whatever situation you are facing. We can show you a variety of different options and help you decide where to place the portable toilets on your location for the best fit for everyone involved.