There are lots of things you will want to know about septic tank pumping in Sonoma, CA and the maintenance that goes along with having a septic system on your home. If you talk to the builder, or even a septic tank specialist, they might tell you that there are certain things you should never put down the drain. You should also run certain high ticket water items at intervals so you’re not draining too much water into the tanks at once. Another good recommendation is to have your septic tank inspected, maintained, and pumped out regularly. Here are a few reasons why that is the case.

Reason 1: Avoid Nasty Surprises

There are good surprises and then there are the kind of surprises that your septic tank can spring up on you. You do not want to have any kind of septic tank emergency because none of those surprises are good. Having your system checked regularly and pumped out on a schedule will help you to avoid those types of surprises. When you check things on a regular basis, you can keep prices down and allow your system to work longer and avoid long-term damage.

Reason 2: Maintain Efficiency

When you have regular checkups and you maintain your septic system well, you are able to keep things running not only effectively, which is very important, but also efficiently You want things to work well, so you don’t have a lot of energy waste or water contamination. It’s important to your home and the ease in which you use the system.

Reason 3: Increase Resale Value

There are lots of things that come together to make your home worth whatever value you put on it. If you are going to sell your home, having a septic system that has been well maintained and that you can prove has had regular inspections is going to be worth more. Having the tank pumped out and checked out as needed is a good way to increase value.

If you have never had a septic tank pumping or inspection before, you may wonder what will happen. The professionals will look everything over, both inside and outside of your home, and give you a report that outlines any issues they have found, what might need to be fixed right away, or what may need to be addressed later. The repots will help you figure out what steps to take and it’s something you can hold onto for proof of the inspection later.

When you are ready for a maintenance check and septic tank pumping in Sonoma, CA, the professionals at American Sanitation are here to help. We can give you advice whenever you need it if you want to call. We can also come to your home and see what you need to have done on your septic tank. It’s important to head off any huge issues when they are small so you can keep things as simple as possible for your home.

If you work at a thrift store, you are probably amazed at some of the things people try to donate. If you work in insurance, you might go home with stories of things people tried to claim. When it comes to septic tank pumping in Novato, CA, there are some pretty amazing discoveries there as well. While they might not be things employees talk about over the dinner table, you might find some of them interesting. Here are a few to intrigue you.

Experts Can Tell A Lot By A Person’s Toilet Paper

Most people learn about you by seeing what you wear, asking you questions, and getting to know you through conversation. But septic tank pumping can tell the professionals a lot about you based on the toilet paper you use. While there are lots of things in the septic tank when it is pumped out, there’s usually a thick layer of toilet paper on top. The professionals are going to see if you use the septic-safe brand or not. That’s the kind that will already be breaking down, as it should. Other brands that are too fluffy and thick are going to look like cotton chunks on top and they can fill up the tank faster.

Things That Are Flushed—Wow

There are lots of things that get flushed down the drain on a normal basis, like grease, that just shouldn’t be in the septic tank. Grease can harden and really clog things up. But it’s something not everyone knows and so down the drain it goes. But there are lots of other things that the professionals see. Goldfish? Yep, that’s pretty common…and also not a good idea. Diapers? Can you believe it? But yes, people have attempted to flush those as well. The septic system is meant to hold toilet paper (the septic-safe kind) and waste. That’s it. Everything else should be thrown in the trash. You might have to empty your bin more often to avoid smells, but it’s worth it to avoid having septic tank issues that are going to be way worse and possibly even way more smelly.

Don’t worry about the experts laughing at you if you have a septic tank issue. They have seen way more than you would believe. You might feel silly for having made a mistake, but everyone makes mistakes. It’s better to learn from it than to be ashamed of it.

When you need septic tank pumping in Novato, CA, whether it’s been 2-4 years since your last pumping or something went down the drain that shouldn’t have and now there are issues, the professionals at American Sanitation Inc are here to help you. We can give you advice on what to do or not do with your system and we can help you stretch the times between the pumping necessity as long as possible. Give us a call for maintenance, with questions, for advice, or for anything else you need. We’re here to help so you don’t have an amazing story for us to tell later.

You might understand, in theory, how your septic tank works and even why you have to get septic tank pumping in Petaluma, CA from time to time. But the more you know about this system, the better you can maintain it over the years and the less you will have to call the septic company. Your septic system is one expensive piece of utility in your home and it does a huge, very important job. Here are some of the things you might not know about your tank and the system as a whole.

Septic Tanks Are Like Layer Cake—In A Gross Way

If you love to create, or at least eat, layer cake, this is a strange comparison, but it’s the truth. Septic tanks have layers in them as well, but instead of deliciousness, it’s rather gross. There are three main layers in the tank. Solids and human waste drop to the bottom and become the sludge in the tank. The lighter waste items, like hair or grease form a scum layer on the very top. In the middle, there is bacteria that is naturally present in the system. The waste at the bottom can get broken down and released into the drain field. However, the sludge can also harden and become an issue if you aren’t servicing the tank soon enough.

Septic Tanks Have Good Bacteria

You may have heard of good and bad bacteria before. Good bacteria can be helpful while bad bacteria are what you think of when you get sick. It’s the bacteria (the good kind) in the septic tank that breaks down the sludge and solids in there. You don’t want to kill those bacteria off. It’s important not to use anti-bacterial in the house because they can make their way down the drain and kill the bacteria. You will need to get your tank pumped out a lot more often without that bacteria working for you. For an example, just two gallons of bleach can completely wipe out all of the bacteria in a septic tank that can hold 1,000 gallons. And it can take five full days, if not more, for the tank to build up more bacteria and recover.

These are just a few things you might not know about your septic tank. While it’s recommended that every tank get septic tank pumping in Petaluma, CA every 2-4 years, depending on the size of your family and the average use, you don’t want to have the service company come out for pumping more often. If you need advice on how to keep your tanks in as good a shape as possible, contact the professionals at American Sanitation Inc. We can pump your tank out when the time comes, help with maintenance, give advice, and answer questions. We want your system to ask as long as possible and operate as well as it possibly can for your family, so you barely remember it is there, for the most part.

If your home isn’t hooked up to the public sewer, you will likely have a septic pump. Depending on your soil conditions, you could have a different distribution system. All septic systems need septic tank pumping in Novato, CA from time to time and it’s a good idea to have regular inspections as well. Here are some critical tips to keep the system as healthy as possible for as long as possible.

Pump As Needed

The septic system is always working, even when you aren’t using water or flushing. The system is always working to break down waste. The more water you use, the more it has to work. But even if it’s used at a reasonable level, every septic tank is going to fill up and will need a thorough pumping every now and then. The average is every 2-5 years, but check with your inspector to see what the right interval for you may be.

Don’t Flush Wipes Of Any Kind

In the bathroom, you should flush waste and toilet paper. That’s it. Never flush wipes of any kind, even the wipes that say they are flushable. These wipes don’t break down and they can get stuck in the pipes. That can cause things to back up into your house, which is the last thing you want. Even if they do make it into the tank, they still don’t break down, which makes the tank fill up faster.

Use The Trash More

Make sure that everyone in your house knows not to flush anything but toilet paper. Anything else should go into the trash can. Similar rules are important in the kitchen. Even if you have a garbage disposal, it’s best to throw things away instead of letting them go down the drain. You especially want to avoid putting oil down the drain. It can harden in pipes and cause blockages. Let those things cool and throw them into the trash can as well.

Avoid Anti-Bacterial

Bleach, chlorine, or any item that is an anti-bacterial (even anti-bacterial soap) should not be used in your septic system. You don’t want those things going down the drain because they can kill off the good bacteria in your septic system that is working hard to break down waste. Without that bacteria, the system will fill up and need pumping much faster.

There are other rules that pertain to your septic system and keeping the septic tank pumping in Novato, CA to a minimum over the years. The professionals at American Sanitation Inc can help you understand those rules so you can keep the system in good working order without too many issues between pumping and maintenance checks. We understand that not everyone knows the ins and outs of septic systems and that’s okay. We’re here to help with every aspect of septic tanks, whether you need help, want maintenance, or are completely new to owning such a system. Give us a call and ask whatever questions you have about septic systems in general.

Whether your house is large or small, if you have a septic system, the tank on that system is limited. No tank has unlimited space, right? You will have to get septic tank pumping in Sonoma, CA done on occasion to clear the tank out and keep things operating smoothly, but that should only have to be done every few years. In order to avoid further maintenance and repair issues, you don’t want to overburden the septic tank itself. Here are a few ways you can do that.

Using Too Much Water At Once

Whenever you run the dishwasher, take a shower, or flush, that water goes into the septic tank. If you do a lot of things that use water at the same time, the tank will have trouble processing it all. It’s best to spread out the big-ticket water items. Instead of showering while the dishwasher and washing machine are running, shower in the morning and run the washing machine at night. Space out your water usage so you don’t overwhelm the tank.

Keeping Heavy Items On The Tank

You don’t want to place vehicles, gardening tools, outdoor furniture, or other heavy things on top of the septic tank. Know where it is in your yard and then keep the heavy things away from it. That can overwhelm the tank as well and the grass in the area is probably often wet anyway so keep things away from that area.

Planting Foliage That Isn’t Septic Safe

You can plant things around the septic tank, but if they aren’t septic safe items, they can do more harm than good. Planting a tree, for example, that is known for shooting roots out all over could harm the septic tank or even move it. You will want to plan water-wise, septic safe plants that don’t interfere with what the tank is trying to do. If you want to do some planting around the tank, talk to your local landscapers or septic professionals to get ideas for what works best.

Flushing/Draining Things You Shouldn’t

It’s always wise to be careful about what you put down the drain, but when you have a septic tank, that’s even more the case. You want to make sure you don’t flush anything but toilet paper and waste, for example. And there are certain things you don’t want to wash away down the drain, like cooking oils and fats or anything anti-bacterial. Avoiding some of those things you shouldn’t do will keep the system from being overwhelmed.

There are other things you need to know about over burdening your septic tank so you don’t have to get septic tank pumping in Sonoma, CA as often and if you want the full list of dos and don’ts, the professionals at American Sanitation Inc can help you. Give us a call with any questions you have, whether you have had a septic tank before, or you are new to these kinds of systems. We’re here to give you advice, tips, and maintenance help.

There are a number of things you can do to your septic tank, but you know that if you make the wrong moves, septic tank pumping in Sonoma, CA could become necessary at a faster pace than normal. What about additives? Can they help you in your goals for keeping things running smoothly or do they hinder those goals?

The bottom line is really quite simple. Nothing is good for the septic system other than professional inspections, maintenance, and pumping. That’s a good rule of thumb to live by. It’s best to only get off the shelf additives if the professionals tell you to do so under certain circumstances. Don’t treat your septic system on your own, only by their advice.

Here are some of the common additives and what they do:

Biological Additives

These additives are natural compounds, like bacteria and enzymes. They are supposed to give you peace of mind in making sure that your system is working well, and the bacteria is working the right way. But if the system has been unused for a few months, like if you go away for the winter, there’s no reason to add those things. Your system should be producing the elements naturally on their own. The only reason to add is if your professional septic tank experts tell you as much.

Chemical Additives

Chemical additives are used to break down solid materials and remove clogs, but they are not natural or organic. That means they could actually do more harm than good when it comes to breaking down the matter in your septic system. Chemicals often kill bacteria, which is not what you want. They can also harm the groundwater and the environment as a whole.

If you are having septic issues, of course it’s tempting to fix things on your own in a cheap, easy, DIY way, but that’s not the way you should go. Instead, ask professionals for an assessment and the real solution so you don’t end up costing yourself more than you should. For best practices, maintenance, and other tricks, call the experts and get advice you can trust. The last thing you want to do is cause more problems than you already have…or make them worse.

Septic systems can last for a long time and you only have to pump them out every few years if you treat them right. If you need septic tank pumping in Sonoma, CA, call the expert at American Sanitation Inc. If you aren’t sure what you need, call us anyway and we can help you figure that out. You can get a septic cleaning, pumping, and inspecting schedule set up so you know what is needed and when. That will help you recognize when the time is coming. If things go wrong before that, you know something else is going on. While you might still want help right away, we’re here to help you figure out what you need so you can get things running smoothly yet again.

When you buy a house with a septic tank and you’ve always been on city sewer before, you might have questions about what you can and cannot do. One thing to know is that no matter how good you are to your system, you will still need septic tank pumping in Petaluma, CA every few years. However, the better you are to the system, the more infrequent those pumping needs will be. You want to take the best care of the system so it will take good care of you and your family as well. Here are a few things you don’t want to put down the drain since you know it will end up in your septic tank:

Solid Waste

While you might have a garbage disposal in your sink, that doesn’t mean you should use it constantly. Put any solid waste in the trash. Run the garbage disposal as you wash dishes and crumbs and other things go down the drain. But don’t count on it to cut everything up. The more solid waste that goes down the drain, the slower your septic system is likely going to run. You don’t even want something small like coffee grounds going down, if you can help it.

Anti-Bacterial

There are lots of chemicals that kill bacteria and while you may want to use those on kitchen counters, you do not want to use them in your septic tank. The tank works by using bacteria to break down the waste that is in the tank. If the bacteria are killed off, there’s nothing left to break down the waste. The tank will fill up and need to be pumped out sooner than it would have otherwise, which will cost you more.

Lots Of Water At Once

The septic tank can only process the waste water so fast. You will want to space out what you do in your home with the water. While it might be convenient to run the washing machine and dishwasher at once, that’s too much water doing into the drain field at one time. Instead, space things out and do only one at a time so the system isn’t overloaded.

Grease/Fat

Putting grease or fat down the drain is an easy way to get rid of it, but it can cool and then clog the drains, causing slowdowns in the entire system. If it makes it down the pipes and to the septic tank, the same thing happens there. It’s best to wait for those things to cool and then put them in the garbage.

When you are in need of more advice about septic systems, whether you need septic tank pumping in Petaluma, CA, or you want to understand the rules of the road a bit better, the professionals at American Sanitation Inc are here to help. Give us a call and ask questions whenever you have them. We’re here to help you keep things running well.

Have you heard about flushable wipes? They have been readily available for a few years and they allow you to get cleaner, so you don’t feel uncomfortable after you use the rest room. But while flushable wipes might be okay for certain systems, they can cause septic tank pumping in Petaluma, CA to be necessary a lot faster if you have a septic system. Here’s a professional take on these products from people who know what septic systems can handle.

Do Not Flush Flushable Wipes

IF you have a septic system, it’s not a good idea to flush flushable wipes down the drain. It sounds like you should be able to, given their name, but the good marketing of the product does not mean that they are a good idea for everyone. Regular toilet paper, when it comes into contact with water, will immediately start to deteriorate and pull apart. The weave in that kind of paper makes it break down in sewers are well as in the septic tank. Wet wipes, on the other hand, stay wet and together. You are sending a solid substance into the septic system when you flush a wipe of this nature.

Septic systems rely on bacteria to break down the things that go into the tank. Toilet paper is able to break down all on its own, so the bacteria is not as needed for that substance. Wet wipes, however, have a mix of different fibers, some of which aren’t organic. The bacteria can’t break it down. Any wipes that go into the tank, stay there. That can fill the tank up a lot faster than you want, causing you to need pumping sooner than you should.

Flushable wipes can gather together and form a clump in the pipes or, if they make it to the tank, they can form a mass there. That mass can cause backups in your pipes or a sludge layer in the bottom of the tank. It won’t dissolve and the tank will have to be pumped out a lot more often, especially if you are using them regularly. You’re adding to the solid waste in your tank every time you use a wipe and flush it.

If you really appreciate the effects of the flushable wipes, by all means, use them. But dispose of them in a trash can instead of flushing them down the toilet and to your septic tank, no matter what the packages say.

No one wants to have to have septic tank pumping in Petaluma, CA done more often than absolutely necessary. The professionals at American Sanitation Inc can give you more tips on what you should and shouldn’t do with your septic system to keep things in good shape so you can space the pumping sessions out as far as possible. Give us a call any time you have questions or if you need maintenance or repairs. We’re here to help you with any issues that arise over the years you own your home with a septic system.

Everyone wants to be as friendly to the environment as they can these days in every way possible. So what does it say about your home if you have a septic tank? When you think about your septic tank and things going wrong, you think about backups, slow running toilets, foul odors and other things you don’t want happening. But if your septic tank needs septic tank pumping in Novato, CA, there are also serious environmental risks.

Septic systems are more friendly to the environment than public sewage systems, in general. Sometimes city sewer systems use chemicals to treat water so it can be discharged. Experts agree that for the environment, septic systems are the better choice. But failing septic systems can give issues as well. Groundwater can be contaminated, and it could even have an impact on nearby bodies of water.

As long as you care for septic systems, they operate well. But here are some of the leading causes of failure within that system that can cause issues for you, and the environment:

An Overwhelmed Tank

If it’s been way too long since you’ve had septic tank pumping done or the tank has filled up faster than normal for whatever reason, the system may be overwhelmed. Another way to overwhelm the tank is to run a lot of laundry, do a lot of dishes, and have a lot of people taking showers all at once. You have to space things out with the septic system.

Damage To The System

Whether something broke down in the house, in a pipe, or in the tank itself, if anything is damaged, it can cause the whole system to fail in some way or another.

Faulty Construction Or Design

You only want professionals to design and install your septic systems. IF there’s an issue with the way things were put together, you could have a myriad of problems over the years that could lead to a complete replacement at some point.

Improper Attention

Any septic system is going to meet attention and maintenance over the years. If you ignore it, it will eventually fail. One thing that has to be done is septic tank pumping.

You may not know why our septic tank is failing, only that you are having issues within the system. You don’t want to harm the environment and you don’t want to problem to come back in the future. That’s why you need professionals to diagnose and care for the problem as soon as possible. With any luck, a simple septic tank pumping in Novato, CA will do the trick. But whatever is needed, American Sanitation Inc can figure it out for you, explain it all to you, and help you get things in order. We’re here to help answer questions about maintenance as well so if you have anything you want to know, just give us a call and ask. If you’re new to your home and don’t know much about septic tanks, we’re here to help you get things situated as well.

If you’ve owned a septic tank for long enough, you know that septic tank pumping in Novato, CA is something you have to do from time to time. The tank gets full, no matter how well you treat it, and septic tank pumping is something that goes along with having a septic system. While your septic system isn’t the most pleasant thing to think about, it’s an important part of the house. There are times when things are running slowly, and you need to pump the tank out. There are other times when the whole tank might need to be replaced. Here are some signs that tell you to replace the tank.

Sign 1: Tank Issues Continue

If you have your tank pumped out and still have problems, or there are issues that follow issues and it seems to be continuous, the tank probably needs to be replaced. The tank might be overflowing, and the contents might not be broken down inside in the right manner. It can sometimes be easier to replace the tank than to try and fix things, especially on an older tank. Consult with professionals to see what is best.

Sign 2: Puddles Of Water

When your septic system is working right, there shouldn’t be standing water in the yard. It could be sewage ad that will have a rather unpleasant scent to it. The puddles can be a health concern so you’ll want to have a professional take a look at it as soon as you can. It might mean that you need septic tank pumping, or it could be that you need the whole tank replaced in order to take care of the issue for good.

Sign 3: Back Ups And Clogs

If your pipes are draining slow, it could be because of a clog. But sometimes, those backups and clogs are signs of a larger issue. Again, it could be that your tank needs to be pumped out or, it might be that you need a new tank completely. You never want sewage to back up into your home so if you see the drains slowing down, it’s important to get things checked out.

It can be hard for most homeowners to tell the difference between when you need septic tank pumping in Novato, CA and when you might need the whole tank or system replaced. If your septic system is relatively new, chances are when you see signs like those above, you need a pumping. But if the tank is old, it could need replacement. The best thing you can do is call the professionals at American Sanitation Inc whenever you see anything of concern and ask questions, have them come out and check things out, and give their professional assessment and opinion. We treat your home as our own and we only recommend to you what we would do if we were in your situation. We’re here for septic advice, pumping, replacement, and more to keep your home operating well.