Having clogged drains is a fact of life. Even if you are diligent about keeping foreign things out of the drains, hair can add up, dirt can build up, and clogs can happen. Many homeowners that have septic systems know that septic tank pumping in Napa, CA is a regular maintenance need. But they want to prevent that maintenance need from occurring too frequently when possible. They might, when a clog occurs, turn to chemical drain cleaners to wash those clogs away. However, even though commercials say that’ll take care of any issue, it’s important to know with a septic system, the opposite is true.

Bacteria is an integral part of running a septic system. What that means for drain cleaning is that any chemicals you pour down the drain could potentially kill off bacteria, which has an impact on the entire system. Within the septic tank, it’s the bacteria that breaks down the waste and releases it into the drain field. When the bacteria are killed off, nothing breaks down and tank pumping becomes a necessity.

The biggest problem with drain cleaners and unclogging agents is that they often have ingredients with high levels of bleach and other things that bur away clogs, but kill bacteria at the same time. Instead of reaching for what the commercials say will work, there are safe methods that can maintain your septic tank without problems.

You might want to first try boiling water. It can clear small clogs like hair and grease that might be getting in the way and it won’t damage the pipes or the septic system in any way. If that doesn’t work, you can use the harmless trick of vinegar and baking soda. Pour the baking soda down first then a little vinegar. It will bubble and can take clogs down with it when you then flush hot water down half an hour later.

If the clogs are close by, you can also try to remove them manually with a snake. If that doesn’t work and the drain is still clogged up, you might need a professional to assess what’s going on.

Having a septic tank can be the best solution for homes in certain regions, but you also need to know how to care for it and what you can and can’t use. When clogs get really bad, septic tank pumping in Napa, CA might be the only solution. For advice on what to do with your system, contact the professionals at American Sanitation Inc. You can call us with questions at (707) 554-8258 or set up a time for us to come out and take a look at your system and tell you more about what’s going on and how you can maintain it well. You can also visit with us in person, if you’d like. We’re located at 1729 Action Avenue Napa, CA 94559 and we’re more than happy to go over cleaners with you, what works, what doesn’t, and what you should never use. We want your septic system to operate well!

If you just moved into a house with a septic system, you may not know that much about it. Research will show you that septic tank pumping in Vallejo, CA is something you will have to do at some point. All septic tanks get full and need that kind of maintenance. But, of course, you want to avoid the pumping as much as possible and only do it when it’s absolutely necessary. For that, it’s important to learn more about your septic tank system and how you should use it. If you have a cat, one thing to know is that kitty litter going down the drain is one of the largest risks you can pos to your septic system.

Having a cat gives you a furry companion to pet. You might enjoy the purrs and company, but no one really likes having to clean out the litter box. If you like to watch out for the environment, the idea of throwing away plastic bags with clay-based litter in them every week might not suit you. Neither are biodegradable, after all, right? So, some owners turned to flushable kitty litter as a solution. However, even things that are labeled flushable should not really be flushed. In fact, if you use flushable or any kind of kitty litter and put it down your drains, it can lead to a whole system failure.

Think about the purpose of kitty litter. The litter is clay-based and absorbs liquid, which can control the smells in the littler box. Most litters clump so you can remove the clumps and keep the majority of the litter in the box for longer. When you combine those features and place them in your septic system, it can eb a catastrophe. Say you dump the box of litter down the toilet and flush. It clumps up, as it’s meant to do, and cogs the drain instantly. If it makes it to the septic tank, it clumps there and never breaks down as other things do in that environment. That also causes issues.

When you are new to having a septic tank, it’s important to find out what you can and cannot put down the drain. As a rule of thumb as you get started, don’t put anything down the toilets but human waste and toilet paper. You can find out more details about how to care for your tank with professionals who do septic tank pumping in Vallejo, CA. Contact the experts at American Sanitation Inc. when you need maintenance, have issues, or just wat to know more about how to care for your system. You can call us at (707) 554-8258 with questions or to set up any appointments to come out and look things over for you. We are located at 1729 Action Avenue Napa, CA 94559 if you’d like to speak to us in person about your concerns. We’re here to help you understand the septic system and maintain it in the best possible manner.

When you think about what goes into a septic tank after it’s been a long time since septic tank pumping in Vallejo, CA, it makes sense that something might smell eventually. But the septic tank is there to dispel those odors and break things down before it sends anything back out. Certain gases coming out of the system can actually be very dangerous so if you notice a scent that isn’t usual, you should get it checked out right away.

Septic gases that leak into the yard are bad enough, but when something is wrong and those gases leak into the home through your plumbing fixtures, that can be even worse. These gases are often toxic, so you never want them in your house. If you notice a scent, there could be a number of issues arising:

The Septic Tank Is Full

If your tank is full, the things going into it will have to go somewhere. That means that you might start to have backups in your house and/or scents you don’t appreciate. Have septic tank pumping done as soon as you can to get things back in working order.

Gargling Sounds Are Arising

When you hear the system making gargling sounds, that’s another sign that the tank needs to be emptied. Gargling and scents are not a good combination and you need to get help as soon as you can. Whenever the sounds the plumbing system make change, it’s a sign that you should at least get things checked out.

Poor Initial Installation

If you are moving into a new house and inherit a septic system, you had no control over who installed it and how good the job was. Poor installation can leave you with all sorts of issues, including scents you don’t want. If you get to hire an installer, make sure you find someone reputable.

If you notice those scents, check the manhole over your septic tank and make sure it is fitting properly or the sewer gases can leak. But really, the best thing to do is contact professionals to see what action needs to be taken, if anything. You shouldn’t’ just live with this problem and try to deal with it. IT can be dangerous and serious.

If you think you might need septic tank pumping in Vallejo, CA because you are smelling things you didn’t before, contact the professionals at American Sanitation Inc for information on maintenance and possible pumping. Call us at (707) 554-8258 and we can talk about your issues over the phone and then come out and see them in person to diagnose and fix the problems at hand. We’re happy to help you with questions you might have about septic tanks and we can get you up to date if you don’t know much about the dos and don’ts, maintenance, and other such things. You’re welcome to stop by with questions. We are located at 1729 Action Avenue Napa, CA 94559 and we’re here to help

Most people will cook with oil or grease in the kitchen on occasion. And if you also have a septic tank, putting that oil or grease down the drain can force you to need septic tank pumping in Napa, CA more often. Every septic tank will need pumping on occasion, but you want the length of time between those maintenance jobs to be as long as possible. One way you can maintain the system well is to make sure you don’t put grease and oil down the drain.

When you put grease or oil down the kitchen sink drain, it mixes up with all the stuff that is also down there. Grease and oil, when you pour it, is probably hot or at least warm. It will stiffen and harden as it cools and that can lead to clogs. As it mixes with other things, it can back things up and cause all sorts of issues along the way. It might not happen the first time you pour the grease down, but eventually, if you make it a habit, it will.

There are a few things you can do with grease and oil once you are done using it. One would be to put the grease into a container and then place it under the sink in the kitchen to let it cool. Once it cools and hardens, just throw it in the garbage can. You could also reuse the grease if it wasn’t cooking something that would transfer the taste to another different item. If you cook for a living in your home, you can also take the grease to a landfill or oil recycling center to get rid of it.

When you move form a regular system to a home that has a septic tank, you might not know all of the rules you have to follow. There’s more to it than just putting grease somewhere other than down the drain. If you want some tips, consult with professionals, have your septic tank checked over, and keep track of how often you need to have things pumped out on a regular basis, so you don’t have issues that pop up unexpectedly.

Finding a new way to rid your kitchen of the grease and oil you use is a great place to start when you want to avoid frequently septic tank pumping in Napa, CA. When you do need that maintenance, any other repairs or hear septic system gurgling, you can contact the professionals at American Sanitation Inc. We can answer first time homeowners of septic tanks might have on how to care for the system in the best possible manner over the years. Call us at (707) 554-8258 and we’ll help however we can. You can also visit us with your questions or to learn everything you need to know about septic tank care. We’re located at 1729 Action Avenue Napa, CA 94559. If you want to find out more about our company and the services we offer, visit us online at American-sanitation.com

If you are new to having a septic tank, you have a lot to learn. You will want to learn as fast as you can, so you don’t damage the system or cause undo repairs. You will need to have septic tank pumping in Vallejo, CA done at regular intervals, but there are other pieces of maintenance you can handle on your own between these pumping systems. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you learn the ropes in your new home with the new system.

Don’t Flush Anything

In the past, perhaps you flushed whatever you wanted down the toilet and it was fine. Now, that might not have been the best thing for your system, but with a septic tank, it can be catastrophic. When you have a septic system, you can flush toilet paper and waste. That’s it. Anything else can cause damage to the system or back things up very quickly. Make sure everyone in your house knows not to flush anything else. This preventative measure is a huge help to maintaining your septic system.

Don’t Rinse Things Away

Like the toilet, you might assume whatever goes down the sink drain and even through the garbage disposal will be fine. However, some things can’t degrade in a septic tank and that can cause issues down the line. Cooking oil, for example, hardens and causes issues in the pipes and in the tank. Throw it away once it cools and don’t throw it down the drain.

Stagger Water Use

Your septic system can only transfer so much water at a time. When you wash clothes, run the dishwasher, and take a shower all at once, that can be a problem and the system can become overwhelmed. Space these things out so it all operates better. Shower in the morning and run the wash at night. Do one load today and another tomorrow instead of back to back loads and so on.

Get Septic Tank Pumping

No matter how careful you are, every septic tank will need to be pumped out on occasion. Make sure you keep tabs on how often is recommended for you and them make those appointments so you can get the process done at the right intervals. This is one of the biggest maintenance items you can do to prevent problems within your house.

If you have questions about septic tank pumping in Vallejo, CA, or any other septic tank maintenance or repair concerns, contact American Sanitation Inc. for your answers. You can call us at (707) 554-8258 and ask things or you can have us come to your house to assess your situation and offer you advice. We’re located at 1729 Action Avenue Napa, CA 94559 and you’re welcome to come get details from us in person as well. If you’re new to having a septic tank, get the information sooner rather than later so you can start off on the right foot with the system.

There are a lot of things that can make your toilet overflow and backup. The last time it happened in your house, did you enjoy it? Of course not! Who would? So it only makes sense that you would want to prevent it from happening again it at all possible. Here are a few ideas, including septic tank pumping in Napa, CA, to help you avoid this messy situation in your bathroom.

Tip 1: Know What Not To Flush…Then Don’t

There are certain things that should never be flushed down any toilet, but if you have a septic tank, they are even more susceptible to issues if certain things are flushed. Know what you can and cannot flush and then stick to that list. The best rule of thumb is to flush waste and toilet paper—and that’s it. You might think you can flush paper towels, baby wipes, facial tissues and other such items, but you really shouldn’t.

Tip 2: Know Your Toilet Care Products

In a regular toilet, most products are fine for cleaning, but when you have a septic tank, you need to do some research before using the chemicals. You won’t want to, for example, use anything with antibacterial stuff in it. That can mess up the septic system, cause things to back up there, and eventually, come out through your toilet. Take care in what you use to clean the toilets on a regular basis.

Tip 3: Run Septic Tank Maintenance

Even if you are completely careful about what you flush ad what you use to clean, you can still have a toilet backup if you don’t maintain your septic tank properly. Every septic tank is going to need to be pumped out on occasion and if you ignore that, once it’s full, the sludge in the tank has to go somewhere… and may end up making its way to your home through the toilet. Talk to septic tank professionals about how often you need to have your tank pumped and them stick to a regular schedule, so you don’t see your pipes slow down or, worse, your toilet backup.

If you’re starting to have to use the plunger more often than not or hear septic system gurgling, you’d better contact American Sanitation Inc. about septic tank pumping in Napa, CA sooner rather than later. When you call us at (707) 554-8258, you can tell us about the symptoms your house is having and we can inspect your septic tank and make recommendations. A simple pumping is often the solution and it’s easy enough to do as well. Perhaps you need repairs or even just tips on maintaining the system properly. Whatever you need, we’re here to help. Stop by and see us at 1729 Action Avenue Napa, CA 94559 and we can talk about ensuring that your toilet water stays where it should, so you don’t have any messes to clean up that you dread. We’d love to help you with maintenance, pumping, questions, and anything else.