Monthly Archives: January 2022

portable toilets in Novato, CA

Portable Toilets for Family Reunions

It’s exciting to get the family together again now that people can travel a bit more freely and feel better about being in groups. The outdoors is a wonderful place to have a large group together and people will more likely feel comfortable attending. While the outdoors gives everyone the space they need, there’s one problem that you might have to face: the restroom situation. If you need to provide something, portable toilets in Novato, CA are an option to consider.

How Many People Will Attend?

While you may have asked everyone in the family to be there, it’s possible not everyone can make it and you will want to have a head count so you have a basic idea of who to expect. If you are providing food, you need to know what to bring for that anyway and it’s also good to have an idea so you can have a portable toilet (or toilets!) on site for those who need them during the process. Take that head count to the professionals along with the length of time you are gathering and they can help you figure out how many units you need.

Are There Any Toilets Around?

If you are having a reunion in a park, there may be a building nearby with one or more toilets. But you also want to think about how many people you have on-site and whether that building Is feasible for everyone attending. Perhaps you have a large group and you don’t want a large line to build up. Or, the building might be a distance away and you want something more convenient. Think through those options, even if there are toilets around the park.

What Are You Serving?

If you are gathering in the park for a few hours, but aren’t having food and drinks, you may not have to worry about as many portable toilets as you would have otherwise. However, most family events are celebratory in nature and are going to have food and drinks, even if you have everyone bring their own items. If people are going to eat and drink, more toilets are necessary to keep everyone comfortable. You want the family to be together for as long as they can be without people having to leave early to find a restroom.

portable toilets in Novato, CA

If you are planning that summer family reunion now, it’s a good time to think through and work through some of the details, including what you need in terms of portable toilets in Novato, CA. The professionals at American Sanitation Inc work with groups all the time and can help you figure out how many you need, where they should be located, and other such things. Keep in mind there are also plenty of options available. You can get standard units, but there are also full flushing units that feel like real bathrooms. And, there are larger units that are good for mobility issues or even for parents who are in there helping kids with their business.

septic tank pumping in Novato, CA

What Your Septic Tank Is Trying To Say

Most of the time, your septic system is going to operate well and you can get used to that norm and the status quo. However, there may be times when you notice your septic system isn’t acting as well. In those times, you might need septic tank pumping in Novato, CA, or there might be something else going on. The septic system can tell you a lot of things about what is going on if you are willing to pay attention. Here are a few things it might be trying to get across to you.

There’s A Blocked Pipe

If you have a clog in your pipes somewhere, the septic system can tell you that’s what’s going on by causing a backup. Things can’t go down the pipes if there is a clog that is causing items to sit in the drains and pipes instead. Eventually, that pipe will fill up and things will start to come back up the drains instead of going down. When the pipe is truly blocked, you will have a backup and that will need to be addressed.

There’s A Partial Clog

When you have a pipe that is partially clogged, you might see that your drains are running slowly. Things will still go down and you can pass water through the pipes, but you might notice water sitting in the sink, waiting to drain, or you might see water in the tub when you shower because it can’t drain fast enough. While a partial clog isn’t an emergency, the faster you address it, the easier it will be to clear things up.

The Septic Tank Needs To Be Pumped Out

If your septic tank is filling up, you can see slow-running drains and, eventually, a backup into your house. While the septic tank doesn’t have to be pumped out every year, you do want to keep an eye on things as you will want to have it pumped out on a regular basis. Even if you treat your tank well and don’t put things down the drain that shouldn’t be in the tank, it is going to fill up and need attention. Giving it that attention can help you to keep things running smoothly.

septic tank pumping in Novato, CA

If you have any of these things that your septic system is trying to show you, it’s best to have professionals come out and assess what’s going on. One option is to have septic tank pumping in Novato, CA done and that can help you to clear things up and start off fresh. Keep track of how often you do this and make sure you don’t go five years without having the tank pumped out. If you have questions about your septic system and how to treat things, or how frequently you need pumping done, the professionals at American Sanitation Inc are here to help. Give us a call for a consultation, assessment, or for advice to operate your system well. We want things to flow well within your house.

septic tank pumping in Petaluma, CA

What To Do In A Septic Tank Emergency

Your septic tank isn’t something you think about on a regular basis. In fact, it might not even cross your mind until you have a problem or, worse yet, an emergency. Replacing a septic tank system is going to cost you a pretty penny and it’s really in your best interest to keep up with maintenance, getting septic tank pumping in Petaluma, CA on a regular basis, and to know warning signs in case something was to occur.

Signs Of Septic Emergencies

Since most of the septic system components are underground, it can become a bit of an ‘out of sight, out of mind’ situation. But there are signs to watch out for that can show you things are bad and that you need help right away. Here are a few:

-Blackwater Overflow Or A Backup

If your toilets or drains are flowing up instead of down, that’s a huge problem and considered an emergency. It could mean the tank is blocked or that there is a clog somewhere along a pipe. You are going to want to stay away from the blackwater that is coming into your home and get the professionals out to remedy the problem as soon as possible.

-A Flooded Drain field

You might notice the drain field in your yard being wet from time to time, but if the area is completely flooded, that’s an emergency situation. There might be a broken pipe or the drain field might be failing. Either way, you don’t want to wastewater or have the septic tank receive further damage because of the issue. Have professionals check things out.

-Slow, Clogged, Gurgling, or Bubbling Drains

While your drains running in a slow manner isn’t an outright emergency, it can quickly lead to that if you don’t address things. It’s better to stay on top of these problems instead of waiting for them to get worse. They aren’t often going to work themselves out on their own so it’s a waste to wait.

What To Do In Emergency Situations

If you notice any of the above things occurring, you are going to want to call a trusted septic provider for an emergency visit. They can assess the problem, give you an estimate, and get things solved quickly and efficiently. The longer you wait, the worse the issue can become.

septic tank pumping in Petaluma, CA

Stop Using Water

It’s best that you stop using water as soon as you notice a problem so you aren’t putting even further stress on your septic system. The more water you use, the worse the problem can become.

If you notice something that is out of order, or if you have an emergency situation with your septic system, septic tank pumping in Petaluma, CA may be the answer to your problem. Give the professionals at American Sanitation Inc a call and you can have peace of mind that your system is in good hands. We’re here to help things run well in every circumstance for the duration.

portable toilets in Petaluma, CA

Managing Portable Toilets In Inclement Weather

The winter months can bring a lot of things to this area of the country. You know the temperatures are going to be cooler and there could be rain, icy conditions, or even snow. If you have portable toilets in Petaluma, CA on your property for events or for your business, you need to know how to manage and care for them so you can make the most of them for any customers or guests you have in the area. Here are some things to consider.

The Toilet Location

The location of your portable toilets in the summer months might be different than a good location during the winter. You need to have the toilets on a hard surface so they aren’t going to shift or sink in the rain. That might mean placing plywood under them so the surface is protected. You also want to make sure they are out of the wind, which might mean placing them by a wall so they have a windbreak. You don’t want them to blow over in a storm, for example.

You may also want to consider having the toilets placed somewhere that is sheltered, like under an overhang or somewhere else with a roof that goes over the top of it. That can help you to avoid exposure to the elements as much as possible.

Maintenance and Cleaning

Portable toilets might take a beating if there’s a lot of mud and dirt being tracked through them. They can also get slippery in the wet weather. Consider drainage mats outside them to allow rain to drain through, but mud to stay at bay. You might even place some mats inside the toilets to prevent slippery conditions. You can rinse these mats regularly to ensure mud doesn’t pack up and cake on.

It’s always good to have a set schedule for the maintenance and cleaning of your portable toilets, but it might need to be more frequent than it was before. You want the facilities to be nice for everyone who needs them and wiping things down during damp weather can help you to do just that.

portable toilets in Petaluma, CA

You may also want to increase the pumping schedule from the professionals. If there is concern that things will freeze, emptying the toilets more often can help. You don’t want dangerous bacterial growth when things thaw out in the spring.

There are other tips you might want to consider when you have portable toilets in Petaluma, CA on site over the winter months. Weather is going to come and go and if your portable toilets are there to stay, caring for them is important. You will want to do different things in the summer than you would in the winter. The professionals at American Sanitation Inc can offer you tips and advice for any season of the year. Give us a call and we can help you get the portable toilets you need along with the maintenance those units have to have for the duration of their placement with you.