Five Signs That Your Septic Tank is Ready for Service

Septic tanks are integral to a self-sufficient home. You need to manage your sewage and well water effectively to keep your place clean and healthy. It is easy to overlook the septic tank and let it fill, but failing to keep to regular maintenance can be very costly. You don’t have to be an expert to recognize the warning signs. Here are five common tells that you need to empty the tank.

1.The Smell

Septic tanks deal with waste and sewage. The most common and obvious sign of an issue is when the tank can no longer hold the stench at bay. If you don’t normally smell your tank and a sudden smell erupts, it is probably time for a pump. There is no reason to live with pungent odors.

2. A New Pool

This is perhaps the most common sign of a full tank. While you may be considering a new pool, this is obviously not the way you want it. Keep an eye on the land in and around the drain field. This is where you are most likely to see pooling, and a sharp eye can prevent a gross mishap.

3. Slower Draining

If you sinks start to empty a little more slowly, it is a good indicator that you need a pump. Some clogs can be localized, but if the entire house is noticing the issue, you should think to the septic tank first. Getting the tank serviced will get those drains emptying fast again.

4. High Levels of Nitrate

If you are on well water, you should consider regular tests of your water anyways. If you notice high nitrate concentrations, it is likely related to a full septic tank. Full systems enable bacteria and nitrates to bleed into the soil, affecting the well supply. This indicator is also a compelling reason to stay on top of septic maintenance.

5. Extra Green Grass

When everything is working as expected, the grass above the tank should be as healthy as anywhere else. When the tank gets too full, it can affect the color and health of the grass adjacent to the system. In some cases this can kill grass, but in most it will deepen the green shade of the grass. Don’t be tempted with this alternative fertilization method.

These major signs can help you avoid disastrous overflows. For more information on septic tank pumping in Santa Cruz, check out this website.

Contact a Plumber If You Have a Leaky Drain

Any time you spot a leak in your plumbing fixtures is a good time to call a plumber. Unfortunately, too many homeowners try to fix the problem themselves, which could result in a greater problem if they don’t know what they’re doing. The good news is a professional has the tools, materials and knowledge it takes to ensure the job gets done right.

Your drain is one of the common places you may find a leak. If you notice water on the floor surrounding a sink, or if you open up the cupboard beneath the sink and find a puddle, the problem is likely your drain. Contacting a plumber immediately is the best way to ensure the leak gets fixed without incurring further problems. Some of the issues that may be wrong with the drain include a clogged pipe, a broken pipe or an unsecured fitting.

If the pipe underneath your sink is clogged, it could put undue stress on the pipes and the fittings. When this happens, and food and debris are building up inside the pipe, there’s more of a chance that rot is happening or fittings are becoming loose. Both of those problems could cause the water to come spilling out. A plumber can clear the clog and then make any of the necessary repairs the clog caused.

A broken pipe could have happened due to a clog, but could also just happen. Older homes will sometimes need their pipes replaced simply because of age. If your home is well beyond its prime, a plumber can stop the leak of the broken pipe and then replace that and other pipes that need replacing.

If your fittings are not secured properly, they could leak. A professional plumber will know how to make them secure and how to make sure they are sealed properly. It takes strength and the right tools to make it happen so you don’t run into any more leaks. Sometimes the wrong fittings get put on the pipes, which is another common cause for a leaky fitting in your drain.

As you can see, there are some serious issues that could arise if you do not have a plumber to your home to take care of your drain. Whether you have a leak or are worried the installation was not done properly in the first place, contacting a plumber is one of the best moves you can make. Visit this website to learn more about plumber service in Scotts Valley.

Resolve Your Clogged or Burst Pipe With Trenchless Cleaning

When a pipe becomes clogged, or even when they burst, many homeowners groan at the thought of digging up the yard to fix the issue. The good news is that trenchless cleaning is a technology that can take care of the problem without creating more. The following are some reasons to choose trenchless cleaning.

1. Cost – Because the entire yard will not need to be dug out, and because it will not need to be replaced after the pipe repair, the cost will go way down. There will be less labor than other repair methods, which also helps to cut the cost.

2. Mess – The mess is minimal during trenchless cleaning when compared to other methods. There will only be a couple small holes at most in order for the technician to get the clog or burst pipe under control. This saves your yard from an undue mess.

3. Quality – This technology is something that provides the highest quality to customers. The materials used are some of the best in the industry.

4. Time – Because of the all the hands-on work that is eliminated, trenchless work takes less time than other repairs might.

As you can see, there is an easy way to resolve a clogged or burst pipe in your yard. With minimal costs and mess, as well as high quality work and a short time frame, you’ll be glad you went trenchless. Visit this website to find out more about trenchless sewer repair in Santa Cruz.

Keep Your Septic Tank Running Smoothly

Your septic tank sees a lot of use every day from your toilet, your washing machine and every single faucet in your house. Ordinarily, you never give this a second thought. If you notice a strange smell in your house, however, you might want to start thinking about it. The smell could mean that you need to call a septic tank technician.

When waste enters your septic tank, it separates, with the heavy materials sinking to the bottom and the rest rising above. The liquid between them is full of chemicals and bacteria and flows into your drain field, which absorbs it. The other waste materials, sometimes called sludge, stay in the tank till they’re pumped out. If they don’t get pumped out, however, they could spill into the drain field and block your entire system. It’s this blockage that causes the odor you notice.

A septic system technician will pump out your septic tank and take all the sludge to a waste treatment facility. It’s usually a good idea to have your tank inspected when it’s pumped out. Most units only need pumping about every three years and you may find that problems have arisen since the last time you had your tank pumped.

Before removing the sludge, a technician usually checks the amount of liquid in your tank to make sure it’s not leaking. When the water level is normal, he’ll add more water to make sure it’s flowing properly. Your tank will be pumped after this so that the technician can check for blockages. If he finds one, typically he’ll stop pumping out your tank so that he can take care of the blockage.

There are a few things you can do to decrease the chances of a blockage in your septic tank. Pump out your tank before you host guests or an event at your home. Additionally, have an expert regularly maintain and inspect your tank. This will not only keep it in good shape but may also increase its lifespan. Make sure all of your inspections are done by a certified professional, as this keeps problems from arising in the future. Finally, be careful about what you put into your tank. If it’s not toilet paper, don’t flush it.

It’s important to take care of your septic tank so that it stays in good condition. For more information about your septic tank or if you need a septic system technician in Santa Cruz, visit this website.

Hiring a Repairman for Your Furnace

When your furnace begins to act up, it can be a huge frustration, especially if it is during the colder months. When things start to go awry, it is important to hire the right professional to fix your problem rather than attempt a fix yourself. There are several reasons why hiring a professional repairman is a good call to make.

Make Sure of the Problem

The best thing to do when you find something is off in your home is to do the right amount of research. A little understanding can help you to see what issues your furnace or heating unit might be dealing with. Without attempting to touch anything, try and see if you can understand what the problem might be. The more information that you have, the easier it will be for you to explain what you need from your repairman.

Call Immediately

It is a good idea to take action immediately when your furnace begins acting up. First, this will ensure that a professional can reach you in a timely manner to fix your broken furnace. Second, it will also prevent the current problem you are facing from getting any worse due to the passage of time.

Stay warm when the weather drops and make sure your furnace is in good working condition. Visit this website for additional information on heating installation in Oceanside. 

 

A Cleaner Grease Trap for a Better Kitchen

Everything in your kitchen needs to operate at its optimal level in order for you to best serve your customers. However, if your grease trap is backed up, that’s not going to happen. To keep your customers happy and to keep everything in your kitchen flowing smoothly, think about having your grease trap professionally cleaned out. Here are a few things to consider.
 
1. Professional is Always Legal

Your first inclination may be to say, “Oh, I can clean that myself.” But depending on where you operate your business, this might not be legal. Some counties require that only a professional company clean out grease traps and get rid of the oils and grease accumulated.

2. Grease Traps Need Frequent Cleaning

Your grease trap should get cleaned more than once a year. Manufacturers typically suggest that you clean it every few days. However, most of the time monthly cleaning suffices. When you work with a professional company, they can schedule your appointments in advance so that you can have your grease trap cleaned on a day when your restaurant won’t be busy.

3. Professional is More Thorough

When you work with a professional company, your grease trap is cleaned more thoroughly. This means that even the hardened grease is removed. Intense cleaning usually results in fewer odors and means that your grease trap may require less frequent servicing.

Keep your kitchen running smoothly by making sure your grease trap is always clean. For more information about grease trap service in Santa Cruz, visit this website.

Three Signs Your Water Heater Needs Service

When your water isn’t warm or gets cold too fast, you can bet the water heater is responsible. Warm water is an absolute necessity these days, and being without it to service or replace the heater can be a massive inconvenience. Recognizing early signs that your heater is in trouble can save you aggravation and money.

1. Abnormal Noises

If you hear strange sounds around the heater that you’ve never heard before, pay attention. This can be a sign of sediment build up and adds strain to your water heater’s functions.

2. Rusty Water

If you see rust in the water, pay attention to if it always appears or is only there when you run the water hot. Water heaters are a common source of rusty water, and recognizing the signs of rust quickly can prevent you from dealing with complete corrosion.

3. Water Near the Heater

Moisture buildups on or around the heater can be the first sign of small leaks or fractures. Puddles and pools usually follow behind these early signs. Dealing with them quickly can prevent an unfortunate flooding catastrophe.

Water heaters don’t last forever. Recognizing when they need service is very important. For more information about water heaters repair in San Marcos, follow the link.