Septic Tank Pumping And Garbage Disposals

Your home is filled with modern conveniences and one that you might take for granted it the garbage disposal. However, garbage disposals are also the most detrimental appliance to your septic system. If you’re not careful, you could cause septic tank pumping in Vallejo, CA to become necessary more often. You could even cause repair needs within the system.

It’s easy enough to be careful about using your dishwasher and washing machine in a spread-out manner so you don’t overwhelm the septic system, but garbage disposals can do even worse things. You might end up putting solids, fats, oils, greases, and other things down the drain. Those items can cause a whole new set of issues and none of them are good. Having a garbage disposal is par for the course in most homes. If you do already have one along with a septic system, it’s important to use it on a minimal basis.

One of the biggest issues septic tanks can have is if you use your garbage disposal as more of a trash can for food waste. Some people put anything that will fit down that drain and chop it up. That might include things like coffee grounds, food bits, fruit peels, and more. All of those things make their way to the septic tank and the bacteria there has to work overtime to break things down. Some items, like fruit pits, egg shells, and yes, coffee grounds, will never break down. The solids can overwhelm the tank and create sludge at the bottom. This puts an added strain on the system and leads to the need for more frequent pumping.

Instead of pouring waste down the drain, peel carrots over the garbage can. Dump coffee grounds there as well. Use the garbage disposal after you wash dishes and find that there are a few little things that have gone down. But scrape plates into the trash can, too. The key is using the disposal on a minimal basis. Never put stringy or fiber-filled foods down the drain because they can get clogged. Fats grease and oils will glide right down, but eventually, they harden and cool and that adds to the tank’s layer of scum and the issues you can have in the future. Even potato peels are dangerous because the starch, when combined with water, becomes like glue and clings to pipes to create clogs.

If you have questions about how to safely use your garbage disposal so you won’t need septic tank pumping in Vallejo, CA any more often than you already do, contact the professionals at American Sanitation Inc for advice. We can help with septic tank maintenance, repairs, and homeowner questions. Call us at (707) 554-8258 and we’ll help you figure out what you need to make the most from your system. We’re located at 1729 Action Avenue Napa, CA 94559 and we want to help you get the most efficiency from your septic tank as possible. Check out more about the services we offer at https://www.american-sanitation.com/

Portable Toilet Etiquette

There are etiquette rules to follow for everything these days. When you sit at a fancy dinner, you are to place your napkin in your lap and use all the right forks for the right courses. Did you know there are some etiquette rules that go along with portable toilets in Vallejo, CA? When you are going to visit an outdoor event and there are going to be portable toilets available, it’s good to know what to do and what not to do.

Portable toilets are conveniences and sometimes, they are something you need to utilize when you are out and about at an event that doesn’t have any indoor plumbing nearby. While attending to your needs in a portable toilet is never going to feel quite like taking care of things at home, portable restrooms are sometimes the only option. You can make the experience more pleasant for you and others around you by following the basic etiquette rules.

Rule 1: Keep It Moving

At home, you may take your time in the restroom and that’s fine. There’s no one waiting in line outside the door, right? But at a portable toilet, there may very well be others waiting so you should keep your business moving and get in and out as fast as you can. Do other things you would normally do in the bathroom at home in another location, like reapply lipstick, smoke, or text your friends.

Rule 2: Leave It How You Found It Or Better

No one likes to follow someone who left toilet paper stuck to the seat, a soda can next to the toilet, waiting to be spilled, or toilet paper strewn from the roll and onto the floor. Try to treat the bathroom like yours at home and clean up after yourself. Don’t leave a mess for someone else to deal with after you. You don’t have to get down on the floor and scrub, but be polite and don’t make a mess while you’re in there.

Rule 3: No Line Jumping

This is just common sense and a common courtesy. Unless you have a small child doing a dance and someone offers for you to go ahead of them, don’t jump and cut in line. Everyone is in that line for a reason and it’s best to be patient and wait your turn.

These are just a few of the etiquette rules that go along with portable toilets in Vallejo, CA. Use your common sense to get through your usage with as much style and grace as possible. If you need portable units for an outdoor event you are holding, contact the professionals at American Sanitation Inc to look over the options. There are plenty of choices on the market today and when you call us at (707) 554-8258, we can go over them with you to find the best choice for your event. You can also see the choices in person when you visit us at 1729 Action Avenue Napa, CA 94559. We’re here to help your portable toilet needs in any way we can.

The History Behind Septic Tanks

Have you ever wondered where septic tanks came from? If you have such a system, you have to get septic tank pumping in Napa, CA done every so often so that brings the system to your mind. If you’ve ever had trouble with your tank, you think about it a lot more often then as well. It’s interesting to figure out what’s behind it all.

Many early civilizations settled near rivers so they could have fresh water and get rid of waste. They would dump downstream and that was the way humans thrived for thousands of years with wastewater. After technology took people inland because water could easily be carried that direction, communities started to pop up farther away from water sources and new ways to deal with wastewater had to be developed. The Ancient Greeks were the first to create technology that allows people to travel inland, farther from water sources. They came up with underground pipes, and even flushing toilets. Romans used these inventions and then improved them for larger cities. Once the Roman Empire fell, people went back to a rural lifestyle that was more self-sustaining. Outhouses were the standard method for human waste, and they included deep holes dug into the ground.

The septic system came along in 1860 when a Frenchman was tired of going out into the cold weather and across the snow when he needed to use the facilities. He combined the concept of the Ancient Greek flushing toilet along with clay pipes that took the wastewater out of the house into a cesspool that collected the waste and then was emptied on occasion manually. He added a tank to the pit that allowed overflow into the cesspool so it would not fill up as fast. Once ten years passed and the tank had no issues, the inventor opened it up to see what was inside and the tank was nearly empty. A prototype was developed, and the design made its way across the country and into the US where it became prevalent.

Modern systems feature more advanced materials than the concrete and steel from the originals. Today, people use fiberglass, precast concrete, and other plastics. The systems are also more efficient for the environment, but now, consumers know these systems have to have regular maintenance to work properly for a long period of time.

If you are in need of septic tank pumping in Napa, CA, contact the professionals at American Sanitation Inc for details on how often this task should be done on the type of tank you have. It often depends on what you have, how many people are in your house, and how much the tank is used. We can help you figure all that out. Call us at (707) 554-8258 and we can schedule your septic tank for a checkup soon. You can also come in and ask questions about tank maintenance at 1729 Action Avenue Napa, CA 94559. If you need repairs, we can help with that as well. Visit our website for more details at https://www.american-sanitation.com/

Top Things That Cause Septic Tank Pumping Needs

When you’re a homeowner, you need to know the ins and outs of what operates your home. If you have a septic tank as part of the system, you need to know what causes septic tank pumping in Napa, CA to become necessary so you can avoid it. Keep in mind that every septic tank is going to need to be pumped out on occasion no matter what you do. But you certainly don’t want it to be more often than necessary. Here are some of the top things that cause pumping to become a necessity.

Lots Of Visitors And Guests

It sounds harsh, but you probably aren’t going to give every guest a septic tank lesson when they arrive. Not everyone you have over will know what’s okay to flush or how often water can run. Guests will increase your use of water and that could lead to an overuse very quickly if you’re not careful. Whether you’re running a load of towels while someone showers or they start flushing things they shouldn’t, a pumping of the tank might be what you have to do once everyone leaves again.

The Rainy Season

California is known for having nice weather virtually all year long, but there can be rainy times as well. If you hit a rainy situation, the saturation of the ground around your septic tank can cause some issues in the system. Try to use as little wastewater as possible so things don’t get clogged up, but you might need to have the tank pumped out.

Improper Care

Not everyone who has a septic tank understands how they operate. If you moved from a house on city water to a home with a septic tank, you may operate things are normal—but that won’t work for your septic system. You shouldn’t use bacteria-killing soaps and harsh chemicals and you have to be careful of how much waste water you create in short amounts of time. The improper care of the system can cause the need for pumping sooner.

Regular Maintenance

As mentioned, even the most careful homeowners have to have their systems pumped out on occasion as part of a regular maintenance schedule. IT’s good to think of having the pumping done every 3-5 years, depending on the size of your family and the size of the tank. Get regular maintenance checks to keep things in working order in the meantime.

The last thing you want is to have to have an emergency septic tank pumping in Napa, CA. It’s much more convenient to only have the pumping done on a regular schedule as part of your regular maintenance. If you need tips on how to care for your septic tank so pumping isn’t something you have to do as part of an emergency situation, contact the professionals at American Sanitation Inc by calling (707) 554-8258. We can also help you pump out the tank when that need does arise. We’re located at 1729 Action Avenue Napa, CA 94559.

Preparing For The Septic Tank Pumping

Whether you had a septic system growing up or you moved into a house recently that had one, it’s important to know how to care for the system so you can have as few problems as possible. Understanding maintenance tips and when you need septic tank pumping in Vallejo, CA is vital to the health of the system.

The first thing you will need to know before you have the system pumped is whether or not it needs to be pumped. In order to see these signs, you should know where everything is located. If you’re new to the house, you might not know everything there is to know about it. Ask former owners for a small ap or drawing or perhaps have septic professionals come out and show you around. You want to keep those locations for future reference, so you don’t plant trees or other things in the wrong places. IT also saves time if you need to have the tank pumped out.

If you are preparing for a septic tank pumping session, it’s also important to have a budget in mind. It costs several hundred dollars and up to have a tank pumped out and you will likely need to do so every 3-5 years so keep that in mind as you form your family’s budget. Taking good care of the system can help put you more in that 5-year range, but you will still have to get pumping done on occasion.

Knowing when you have to have the septic tank pumped can take some practice. Many people simply rely on septic tank professionals to tell them when they come out for maintenance checks. As long as you have a company you can trust, that is a good way to go. You know they will tell you the truth about the system’s needs. You can also watch for things like slow drains in your house, gurgling noises, and wetter than normal drain fields around the tank outside.

Once you have scheduled the septic tank pumping to occur, you don’t have to do much in order to prepare for the session. You might want to be home so you can supervise the work and lead the technicians around to your septic tank, but you won’t have to do any work on it yourself in advance.

When you are ready for septic tank pumping in Santa Rosa, or you need help in recognizing whether or not you need that done, contact the professionals at American Sanitation Inc. We can help you with all things septic-tank related, whether you need maintenance, advice, care tips, or pumping. Give us a call at (707) 554-8258 and we’ll answer as many of your questions over the phone as we can. You can also stop by our storefront to talk to us in person at 1729 Action Avenue Napa, CA 94559. We want to help you care for your septic system in the best possible manner so there are no surprises, no emergencies, and nothing seeping into your home.

portable toilets in Napa, CA

Do You Need Portable Toilets On Site?

If you are arranging an outdoor event, have a worksite, or have something else going on, there are a lot of details to tend to. If you’re wondering whether or not you’ll need portable toilets in Napa, CA, these questions can help you reach a logical answer.

Are There Facilities Nearby And Accessible?

If there are bathrooms in surrounding buildings, like on a fairground, and there will be easy access to those places, perhaps you don’t really need to have portable toilets on site. If you have an empty field for the event, on the other hand, there’s nothing around and portable toilets are a necessity. Even if there are facilities around, like at a nearby house on a work site, they might not be accessible to those working on the site. If there isn’t access, portable toilets can solve the problem at hand.

How Many People Will There Be?

Even if you are having just a few people, if there are no facilities or no access to facilities, it could be a problem. But the more people that will be at the event, or working on the site, the more portable toilets you will need to have available.

How Long Will People Be There?

If the event is open as kind of a come and go as you please sort of thing, people may not be there very long, and they may not need bathrooms at all. You can’t count on that at all times, however. But if you know people will be there for a long time, like all day at a work-site, that requires there to be something there to help them get relief.

Will There Be Food?

Many different types of events have food and where there is food, there are usually drinks as well. That increases the need for facilities over an event that isn’t serving anything at all. On a work-site, workers will likely bring their own drinks and lunch so the bathroom necessity will still be there.

If you have any doubts about whether or not you need portable toilets, the best idea is to get advice from professionals. The last thing you want is to desperately need them and not know it until it’s too late. You don’t want that for guests or employees, either.

When you are looking into options for portable toilets in Napa, CA, contact the professionals at American Sanitation Inc by calling (707) 554-8258. We can troubleshoot your event or worksite and help you figure out how many portable toilets you need, for how long, and even where to place them. If it’s a longer-term thing, we can clean them for you during their placement, so you don’t have to worry about that, either. To take a look at options we supply, including handicap and fully flushing portable toilets, visit us at 1729 Action Avenue Napa, CA 94559. We have what you need, whatever that might be. And we’ll work with you to figure out just what that is.

portable toilets in Novato, CA

The Factors Determining Portable Toilet Types

If you have the need for portable toilets in Vallejo, CA for some reason or another, it’s important to know there are lots of different options on the market today. There are standard toilets, like you might imagine and have seen in locations before, but there are also fully flushing options, handicap versions, and many others to consider. What version do you need for your event? Here are a few factors to help you determine the type that will work best:

The Type Of Event

Obviously, you don’t want to have a regular portable toilet at a fancy affair, like a wedding, a high brow wine tasting, or a formal class reunion in the park. The type of event can go a long way in determining the type of portable toilet you want to rent. Higher end events could call for the fully flushing option that has a sink included for hand washing afterwards. They feel completely like real bathrooms. For things like craft shows, pumpkin patches, concerts and other such events, standard portable toilets work just fine.

The People In Attendance

IF you know there are going to be handicapped individuals attending the event, or you want to make your facilities welcoming and accessible to them, that can help you determine whether or not to include a handicap stall. These portable toilets work well for individuals without limitations as well, they are simply larger and can accommodate all types. They work well, for example, for parents who have to go in to help a young child. Think about the audience attending the event when you decide what portable toilets to get.

The Longevity

If you just need portable toilets for the day, getting something normal and standard might work. If you are renovating a bathroom in your house or, better yet, in a business, you might want something you can use long-term that feels more like an operating bathroom does on a daily basis. The longer you have to use the portable toilets for guests, your family, or your customers, the more consideration you should put into the type you get.

The Location

Portable toilets that will sit out in the middle of the field will work fine and you can place a hand washing station outside. But if you want something that looks nice, like if you have to set up a portable toilet in a neighborhood as a house is being built or outside your home as you renovate, you will want to consider the options. The location will make a difference in what you choose as well.

There are lots of options for portable toilets in Vallejo, CA on the market today—more than you might realize. Before you assume you’ll get the standard issue portable toilet, check over the choices by contacting American Sanitation Inc at (707) 554-8258 and getting something that really suits your event. You can stop by our showroom at 1729 Action Avenue Napa, CA 94559 and see examples of what might work well for you.

Napa septic tank

Septic Tank Gurgling Troubleshooting and Fixing Tips

There are some noises you won’t even think about hearing until you hear them. And if your septic tank is gurgling, it’s not a pleasant noise. You might need septic tank pumping in Vallejo, CA or there could be other things causing the noise. But once you hear it, you can’t unhear it and you need to get to the bottom of what is making the noise before things get much worse. Here are a few things that can cause your system to make gurgling noises.

Why is My Toilet Gurgling on a Septic System?

With the warm weather we’ve been having lately, rainy days could cause a lot of bacteria to grow in the plumbing system. These storms create more sludge at the bottom of your septic tank, which disrupts the natural flow out. Consequently, air bubbles travel back into your toilet and you get that loud gurgling sound.

  • It’s usually a sign that the septic tank is full and needs to be emptied. When this happens, the septic tank will gurgle, burble or make other untoward noises below ground level for a few hours before eventually going back to silence. It may also be just one of those things that comes with living in an old house and it is nothing to worry about. If it doesn’t go back up after a day or two then it might need emptying.

This might be an indicator that it is time for a pumping. A professional can come in to pump out all of the built-up sewage from the pipes below to alleviate any further problems and clean your system with fresh water for good measure! This should make everything run smoothly after this point. It may be recommended that you have periodic servicing as well by a professional plumber.

How Do You Fix a Gurgling Septic Tank?

Fixing a septic tank is as simple as adding some bleach to your drains in order to kill any bacteria. You can also skim out the sludge, decompose it, and put it on your garden. The problem with gurgling or growling tanks is often either too many solids in the tank or not enough water pressure filling the tank back up. When you have more solids filling up a certain volume of water, there’s simply less space for that same level of liquid. So when you turn on just one faucet at a time or flush just one toilet at a time, there’s always going to be more air bubbles mixed in with the rest of the wastewater being treated for sewage disposal.

Gurgling Drains Septic System

There are various techniques on how to fix a gurgling septic tank that will depend on the reason for the noise, but generally, it takes three steps in order for the problem to be fixed:

  • Ensure there is no blockage in your home plumbing or toilet by making sure all water has flowed smoothly and without backup. This can often be done by doing a ‘flusher snake’.
  • Ensure all connections from your house and drain field pipes are sealed up securely.
  • Add enough new filter material to push down below 20 feet of water column pressure as well as adding some clean sand to improve its drainage capability. Having good quality filter material also assists with reducing bad odors coming from the tank.

Blocked Drains

If your drainage pipe is blocked, it could make the draining slower into the septic tank, which could give you a gurgle in your fixtures when they try to flow out that drain. That’s easy enough for a plumber to fix for you without too much of an issue.

Blocked Sewer Pipes

A bit more concerning is when the sewer pipes are blocked. These are the pipes that are used to connect your home’s plumbing to the septic system. Any blocks between them and the tank mean that larger amounts of water can’t get past the block at once, which causes the gurgling noise and a decreased drain speed. You might need a tank pumping or just a de-clogging.

Drain Vent Problems

The drain vents remove the sewer gas from the pipes, and they can also make a gurgling sound if they are having any issues. The system could be broken or not doing a proper job if you hear that noise when you shower, use the sink, or flush the toilet.

The Septic Tank Is Full

One of the most common causes for the gurgling is when the septic tank gets full. Tanks need to be pumped out every 3-5 years, depending on the size of your home and family. The tank won’t drain right if the water can’t flow out because there is too much in the tank for it to operate properly. Get the tank pumped out at a regular interval so you can avoid gurgling noises in the first place. If you hear them and it’s been awhile, consider getting the tank pumped.

Hear Gurgling? Act Now

If you hear a noise you know you shouldn’t’ be hearing, it’s not smart to wait around and see if it happens again or if anything else occurs. That can just make things worse in a variety of ways. Instead, you can try a few home remedies, like using a plunger on a few drains to get a clog to move along. Otherwise, you should call a professional as soon as you notice the problem to prevent the issue from spreading further. The experts at American Sanitation Inc are here to help with septic tank pumping in Vallejo, CA, or whatever else might be causing the gurgling noise to occur around your home. Call us at (707) 554-8258 or visit us at 1729 Action Avenue Napa, CA 94559 and we’ll help you get your septic tank working smoothly for the best interest of your home and family.

Septic Tanks in Napa

When Should You Get Septic Tank Pumping Done?

It’s easy enough to say that septic tank pumping in Napa, CA has to take place if you have one of those units connected to your house, how can you know when it needs to be done? The septic tank on your house allows you to dispose of wastewater safely and you want to keep it properly services so you can have a healthy, safe tank. There are many signs that you need to have septic tank pumping done. Here are a few to watch for:

A Flooded Drain Field

If you can’t see the wastewater that comes from your house, your septic tank is more likely working okay. But if there is pooling water in your lawn around the drain field, it’s time to have septic tank pumping done. Standing water can occur when solid waste has clogged up the pipes and the wastewater will then rise into the drain field in your yard. Whenever you see pools of water around the system, get the tank pumped by professionals to avoid further issues.

Slow Drains

Drains can be slow for a number of reasons ad you can try to unclog the drains in safe manners first. Try a plunger to get a clog that might be close by to move along. Consider putting some boiling water down the drain or baking soda followed by water. Those things can get small clogs out of the way without the need to call anyone. But if the drains are still slow, or if you notice all of the drains acting slow at the same time, it might be the septic tank filling up. Get it pumped out and the system should start running at a much faster speed.

Gross Smells

Trust your nose to be your guide and if you start to notice smells coming from your drains, it might be because the wastewater going down the drain isn’t getting into the tank since it’s full. Those smells could also come from the drain field around the tank so be aware when you are out working in the yard.

Sewage Backup

The most evident sign that you need your septic tank pumped is when you have sewage back up into your house. With any luck, you will notice other signs and get the pumping taken care of before this happens, but if you get sewage backing up into the sinks, toilets, bathtubs, or other areas, get pumping done by professionals right away.

These are a few ways to tell that you need septic tank pumping in Napa, CA. Most tanks have to be pumped every 3-5 years. If you have a regular inspection, you don’t have to watch as closely for the signs because the professionals will tell you how far off you are from that need. Contact the professionals at American Sanitation Inc by calling (707) 554-8258 when you notice any signs or want an inspection to make sure things are running well. You can also stop by with questions at 1729 Action Avenue Napa, CA 94559.

portable toilets in Vallejo, CA

Portable Toilet Myths To Dispel

When you see portable toilets in Vallejo, CA, do you cringe in fear? Do you feel like you’re watching the latest horror movie, complete with a scream caught in your throat? That’s probably because there are a lot of myths out there surrounding portable toilets that you believe, even if they aren’t really true. While some of the beliefs might have been true at one time, they aren’t any longer, but it’s hard to get past what you think, whether it’s true or not. Here are some details about portable toilets to help you get to the bottom of the real truth.

Myth 1: All Portable Toilets Are Hard To Look At

We’ve all seen portable toilets and winced at the sight of them. They aren’t always something you want to place in the middle of your own backyard party, right? But that doesn’t mean they’re all like that, either. If you are having an outdoor wedding, for example, you can get a fully functioning, fully flushing portable toilet complete with a sink that fits right into the event. Before you judge all portable toilets on what you’ve seen in the past, look into the options.

Myth 2-Portable Toilets Are Small

While it’s true that there are some portable toilets that are hard for mothers to fit into when they are helping young children go to the bathroom, that’s not true of every portable toilet. While some portable toilets are only as large as a bathroom stall in a regular public bathroom (or smaller) there are actually handicap options today as well as other sizes to consider, depending on your needs.

Myth 3-Portable Toilets Stink

Some of them do, yes, but only when they haven’t been maintained properly. When you get the right portable toilet that is clean when it arrives and well maintained throughout your event, it doesn’t have to be something you hold your breath to use. There are plenty of odor neutralizers on the market and with proper cleaning, the odor is held way down.

Myth 4-Portable Toilets Kill A Classy Event

A concert in the park is fine for a standard portable toilet, but what about an outdoor opera? A wedding? Something else of that nature? Modern portable bathrooms are quite high in luxury and offer the amenities you would see in a normal restroom. They can have hot and cold running water, sinks, flushing, and more to fit the event’s nature.

There are more portable toilets in Vallejo, CA on the market today than ever before. If you have the need of renting portable toilets and you automatically think some of these myths are true, look into the choices further before you believe them. You’ll be surprised at how nice the portable restrooms actually are today. The professionals at American Sanitation Inc can help set you up with your portable toilet needs. Call us at (707) 554-8258 to ask about details and set up specifics of visit us to see choices at 1729 Action Avenue Napa, CA 94559.