The Importance of Regular Maintenance to Avoid Septic Tank Repairs

When it comes to septic tanks, the majority of us honestly don’t really think about them. Part of their purpose is to be invisible, to take care of sewage waste in a way that we don’t have to see and, most importantly, smell. But in being an invisible and often underground aspect of running a home, we often don’t think about the regular and scheduled septic tank maintenance that they need to run properly. Unfortunately, often when we do think about our septic tanks, it is because they have made themselves known. When that happens, the costs can be quite high.

The better solution to making sure your septic tank can quietly do its job isn’t to ensure that it has regular septic tank maintenance. Like many things in our lives that we rely on every day, a septic tank needs occasional tune-ups and check-ups to make sure that everything is running smoothly. Here are a few reasons why it is important to get regular maintenance for your septic tank.

1. Maintenance is Cheap. Repairs are Expensive

Just like cars, septic tanks are devices that run best when well-maintained. A car that gets a regular oil change will run better and for longer than one where the oil change is continually pushed back. And just like an oil change is relatively expensive, the costs of repairing the damage done when oil changes are ignored can be surprisingly high. After all, oil is cheaper than bearings and engine parts. While it is true that septic tanks aren’t as complicated as cars, the concept still stands. By having a professional come by regularly for a quick tune-up, or for regular septic tank maintenance, your septic tank will last longer and is less likely to fall into disrepair.

2. Stop Pollution

Septic tanks deal with sewage, and sewage poses a significant environmental issue for your property and the surrounding environment. Besides the potentially catastrophic smell, sewage can also infect important things like water tables and soil. Regular septic tank maintenance can ensure that your septic tank isn’t leaking waste into the ecosystem.

3. Keep Your Property Beautiful

If your septic tank is leaking, you will know. If the smell doesn’t affect you, your property will start to show signs as well. Plants can either grow extremely fast from the natural fertilizer, making a smelly, ideal home for weeds or completely die out due to the chemicals used in septic tank maintenance treatments.

If your home or property has a septic tank, then it will require regular septic tank maintenance and cleaning. Without the right professional care, then your septic tank could end up in disrepair, the consequences of which could be more than a hit to your wallet. Broken septic tanks can lead to pollution and even fines by your local government.

Drane Ranger has a number of qualified experts dedicated to proper and professional septic tank maintenance. From regular cleanings to inspections and repairs, we have the knowledge and tools to make sure that you don’t have to think about your septic tank. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you.

How to Fix the Foul Odor Coming from Your Septic Tank.

Are you worried about that odor coming from your septic tank? There is no need to be worried. The odor is there to tell you something is wrong. Don’t worry because there are easy fixes, and easy ways to stop it from happening in the first place. When you think of all the things that your septic tank is called on to do for you, you might expect it to have some foul odor sometimes. But actually, this is not as it should be. The odors are there to tell you that the balance is off and that the tank is not working properly. The odor indicates that the pH balance of the tank is off. There may be another issue, and that is why septic tank cleaning in Alvin TX is not just a good idea; it’s a local city bylaw.

What causes odor?

The pH balance of the tank should be between 6.8 and 7.6. This is what is needed for the microorganisms to do the job of digesting any organic matter, but these gas producers also bring the odor. The gases — methane, hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and other organic acids — are what give the tank the rotten-egg smell, when you can smell them. When they are too acidic, the breakdown of the organic matter in the tank stops and the smell begins. A blocked drain is another cause of improper operation of the tank. The drains should be neither clogged nor dry. The drains need some water in them to keep the flow going, and also to stop the gases from seeping back out. When the drains are dry, that is, when there is no water in them, there is nothing to block the gases. That’s when you need septic tank cleaning in Alvin, TX (https://draneranger.com/services/septic-tank-cleaning-in-alvin-tx/).

Prevention is the easiest solution – You can keep the acidity balanced by flushing a cup of baking soda down the drains or toilet once a week. Be careful not to flush with too much water, since that could neutralize the treatment. And of course, make sure your septic tank cleaning is happening regularly.

Treat your drains with respect – The function of the septic tank is to store and break down sewage and whatever else is flushed or washed away, but don’t use your toilet as garbage disposal. On top of ensuring regular septic tank cleaning in Alvin, TX, Keep coffee grounds, leftover food, cigarettes, and cat litter far away.

Pump the tank regularly so that it will not overflow or clog.

The best prevention is to keep in touch with a plumber and to be sure to empty the tank regularly. The tank can overflow and flood over the ground if proper maintenance does not occur, and this not only causes a foul odor, but it is also a health hazard, which is why it is a bylaw to have regular septic tank cleaning done in Alvin, TX to keep everything clean and properly maintained.

That foul odor should not be there, and it can’t be ignored. Call Drane Ranger for regular maintenance. Grease trap cleaning or vacuum truck services are what you need for septic tank cleaning in Alvin, TX, or in the greater Houston area. Getting rid of foul odors and complying with regulations is easy with Drane Ranger on your team.

Have a Septic Tank? This is What You Need to Know

If your home is not connected to a municipal sewer system, then you most likely have a septic tank somewhere on your property. A septic tank is a self-contained wastewater management system that is most commonly found in rural areas. If you have a properly functioning septic tank, you never really notice it or think about it, but it is still important to know some important details to ensure that it continues to function without issues. Regular septic tank cleaning in Houston, Texas is important to ensuring your septic tank doesn’t overflow.

How Does a Septic Tank Work?

With a septic tank system in your home, anytime you flush something down your plumbing, whether it be the sink, shower, or toilet, it all drains into the septic tank, where solids are separated from the liquids. Any solid materials in the tank separate based on their density; heavier solids end up in the bottom of the tank, and lighter ones end up as a scum layer at the top. Bacteria and other biological processes help break down the solid materials within the tank. Lastly, the liquid will flow out of the tank into a drainage system, which is normally located underneath a section of the lawn, and any remaining solids are filtered out. Every few years, your septic tank will need a septic tank cleaning in Houston, Texas to ensure that solids do not build up too much.

Signs That Your Septic Tank is Failing

There are several signs you should know to look for in case your septic tank may be starting to fail. When a septic tank fails, it can start spewing out untreated sewage or start backing up into your home through drains. That’s definitely when you need to call septic tank cleaning in Houston, Texas.

Signs to Look for:

1. Foul odors around your lawn where the septic tank and drain field are located

2. Gurgling sounds in your plumbing

3. Slowed down draining for your drains in your home

4. Sewage and water backing up in your drains

5. Extra green, or faster-growing grass in spots on your lawn (around drain field)

6. Damp spots or water pooling around your septic tank and drain field

If you have noticed any of these signs, then you should call in a company to do a septic tank cleaning and they will also diagnose any issues and rectify them.

What Can Fail on Your Septic Tank?

There are several components to a septic tank system, and failure at any one of those locations can result in a system that doesn’t function at full capacity, or even start to cause issues. If your plumbing system is blocked anywhere between the building and the septic tank, it is similar to a block inside the home: drains will drain slower, or possibly back up. The inlet baffle for the tank can also similarly be blocked, with a similar result. If the effluent filter or outlet baffle gets blocked, the tank can no longer properly drain, which will result in backing up into the home, or through the surface around the tank. Finally, if the drain field has failed due to being too saturated with water, then water will start to settle on the surface, and parts of the drain field will have grass that appears to be extra green, or that is growing at a much faster rate. A failed drain field must be dried out and rehabilitated before it can be fully used again. All of these failures can be avoided with regularly scheduled maintenance when you schedule a septic tank cleaning in Houston, Texas.

Septic Tank Cleaning

If your septic tank hasn’t been cleaned in a few years, or if you are starting to see signs of failure, contact Drane Ranger today to schedule a septic tank cleaning in Houston, Texas to ensure that you get your septic tank back up and running at full capacity.

Key Points to Consider When Choosing a Grease Trap Cleaning Service

Do you own a business, such as a restaurant, with a grease trap that needs cleaning? Here are some things to consider when looking for a grease trap cleaning service.

Professional Plumbers

You don’t want to just hire a random person to come and clean the grease trap for your business. A professional grease trap cleaning service will have expert plumbers at their disposal to drain, scrape, and get rid of excess solids from your grease trap. Your grease trap going haywire can be extremely detrimental to your business, and it can even result in closure until it is fixed, which is why it’s vital to have a qualified plumber doing the work.

Licensed Disposal

Any good grease trap cleaning service will have fully licensed disposal practices for the waste they collect. The service you hire should clearly state that they are licensed at their disposal and that they abide by all of the laws and regulations in your region. Regulations are in place for a reason, as improper waste disposal puts both the public health and environmental health at stake. Ensuring that your company is properly licensed both protect your business, and it is the ethically responsible choice.

Odor Control

One of the worst things you can face as a business owner is strong odors driving away all of your customers. An improperly cleaned grease trap, or one without appropriate odor control, can become more than unpleasant. Look for a grease trap cleaning service which offers odor control of some kind to help avoid this pitfall.

Locality

Are you in Houston, Texas? You’ll probably want to hire your grease trap cleaning service from there, too. Not only does this eliminate any extra charges that might be added for greater distances the service must travel, but it also ensures that your grease trap cleaning service abides by the laws and regulations specific to where your business is. After all, a business from across the country might not be trained under the same rules. It’s best to play it safe and support a local business!

Experience Level

You’ll also want to consider how much experience a company has. If you’re stuck between a couple of companies, try to compare how long each grease trap cleaning service has been in practice. While older doesn’t always mean better, you can have a sense that a company of fifteen years will know more than a new start-up.

Reviews or Testimonials

Many companies will also have reviews online, which are a great tool to use. This can help you figure out what the experience of other clients was with this grease trap cleaning service, which will help you decide if this company sounds right for you. Some companies will have testimonials on their website, and you can usually also find reviews on Google if you search. If a company has zero reviews or completely negative ones, this can be a big red flag, so be sure to take a look before you book their services.

Overall, there are many things to consider when looking for a grease trap cleaning service. A good service is professional, licensed, and gets the job done efficiently. Visit this page and get in touch with us today.