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.

How to Maintain Your Septic Tank

Septic tanks are common in rural areas wherein a property may not be connected to a sewerage system. They are simple wastewater removal systems that require regular attention to avoid system failure. Keeping up with your septic tank maintenance will help you avoid costly repairs and ensure a smooth operation.

How it Works

Your property’s septic tank works to move wastewater from the household to be treated and disposed of, commonly in a septic drain field (also known as a leach field). Prior to designating land to be a drain field, a percolation test measures the water absorption rate of soil to determine if the area is suited for the job. Wastewater enters the septic tank chamber where solids settle and scum floats. The solids are then digested by bacteria while liquids pass through a dividing wall to a second chamber for another round of settling. The excess liquid then moves on the septic field for further processing in the soil. The process is a simple one, but it can run amok if septic tank maintenance is not a regular practice.

Your septic tank moves a lot of waste for treatment, and unfortunately, sludge accumulates faster than the rate of decomposition. The build-up must be removed, which is often done with a vacuum truck. If the build-up is not taken care of, the septic tank fills and undecomposed material spills into the septic field, wreaking havoc on the environment. The sludge can also clog leach field piping and negatively impact the soil – this translates to a big price tag for repairs. Regular septic tank maintenance will prevent backed-up septic systems and save you from costly repairs.

Maintenance and Prevention

Poorly maintained septic tanks are susceptible to costly system failure. Regular septic tank maintenance is vital to an efficient wastewater system on any property, whether a single home with one septic tank or an industrial park with multiple. It is recommended septic tanks are checked at least once a year to avoid build-up and overflow. Professional septic tank services will help you maintain your septic tank and safely dispose of waste material.

Septic tank maintenance falls on the shoulders of the home or property owner. While professional services are often needed for cleaning and emptying, there are measures you can take to avoid costly repairs.

1. Avoid dumping cooking oil down the drain. A better alternative is storing cooking oil and grease in a container and dispose of once hardened. Cooking pans with excess oil should be washed with hot water and soap in the sink to help greasy material get through the drain smoothly.

2. Take care of what you flush. Using toilets for the disposal of other materials such as cigarette butts, menstrual hygiene products, cotton buds, and food waste can overload the system.

3. Watch out for chemicals down the drain. Pesticides and herbicides can kill the bacteria in your septic system responsible for the waste breakdown.

Properly designed and maintained septic systems are odor-free with a multi-decade life expectancy. If your septic tank is starting to stink up your property, it is likely overdue for a check-up. Check your septic tank regularly and be on the lookout for surfacing sewage, wet spots, gurgling sounds in the plumbing system, and slow drainage. Staying on top of septic tank maintenance will keep your property running smoothly and odor-free.

Waste Management – Environmentally Friendly with the Help of Vacuum Trucks

Disposing of wastewater can be problematic for many people. Even if the water is not necessarily hazardous, many people have no idea how and where to dispose of excessive wastewater. Left to their own devices, people may accidentally dispose of wastewater improperly and potentially unsafely. That is where Drane Ranger comes in, with their vacuum truck services in Houston, TX.

Therefore, if you need vacuum truck services in Houston, TX, look no further than Drane Ranger. Drane Ranger is a Houston, TX-based waste disposal company, founded in 1985, that offers a variety of disposal solutions for non-hazardous liquid waste, each in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way.

In addition to other liquid waste disposal services, Drane Ranger offers quality vacuum truck services for wastewater disposal. They offer their services to businesses, as well as to industrial and residential properties that need wastewater disposal in Houston and the surrounding area. So, if you need help disposing of a large amount of wastewater, then Drane Ranger will bring a vacuum truck, as well as a certified waste disposal expert and vacuum truck driver, to your location. In doing so, they will guarantee that your wastewater is disposed of quickly, efficiently, and in an environmentally friendly way.

What Makes Drane Ranger’s Services So Environmentally Friendly?

Committed wholeheartedly to the sustainable and safe cleanup of non-hazardous wastewater since 1985, Drane Ranger should be your first choice for wastewater disposal and vacuum truck services in Houston, TX. Rather than worrying about disposing of wastewater by yourself—something that many people have no idea how to do safely—Drane Ranger does the hard parts of the job for you. After Drane Ranger has cleaned up the wastewater at your location, the water is then taken to Drane Ranger’s high-quality disposal plant, where it is safely cleaned and disposed of in a manner that is environmentally friendly and sustainable over the long-term.

Book a Wastewater Clean-Up Today!

If you have wastewater that you need help cleaning up, then all you need to do is fill out a simple form on Drane Ranger’s website. After doing so, Drane Ranger will send a vacuum truck to your location to help clean up the excessive wastewater. After dealing with Drane Ranger’s vacuum truck services in Houston, TX, you will be left satisfied, knowing that your excessive wastewater has been dealt with in an environmentally friendly way, without a trace. So, do not hesitate to contact Drane Ranger today, and rest easy knowing that your wastewater has been dealt with properly.

Things You Should Know Before Hiring a Grease Trap Cleaning Service

If you remember the great “Fatberg” under the streets of Baltimore, Maryland in September 2017, or the various ones in London, England, you can see the importance of ensuring your restaurant’s effluent is appropriately kept out of the city’s sewage system through the proper functioning of your restaurant’s grease trap/interceptor. According to Texas State Law, grease trap cleaning is required not less than every 90 days or whenever there is a need. What does this last point mean? There are a few signs to know regarding when you should clean your grease trap, as well as a few things you should know before you hire a grease trap cleaner.

When to know your grease trap needs cleaning

Clogged / Slow moving drainage

Large deposits of fat and grease can solidify into what’s called a “cap,” which blocks or slows waste movement through the system. If your drainage system takes longer than it used to or isn’t draining at all, a cap may have formed in your system. This will need to be cleaned via grease trap cleaning.

Foul Smell

Without drainage, the stagnation of grease and food solids foments fermentation and rot that create a stench that can waft through your restaurant and make it appear unsanitary. If there is an unexplained stench that remains after all the garbage has been taken out, and a cleaning regimen doesn’t combat it, it may be time for a grease trap cleaning.

When should you clean your grease trap?

You should clean your trap immediately if you encounter either of the explanations above. As mentioned above, Texas State Law requires restaurants to conduct grease trap cleaning no less than every 90 days, if 25% or more of the wetted height of the grease trap, or if the discharge exceeds local standards. Additionally, in the event of non-compliance with state regulations, they can ensure regular compliance by ordering increased cleaning at their discretion.

Things to know before hiring a Grease Trap Cleaning service

Don’t hesitate to shop around and compare services, but you’re going to want a company with experience in the area, one that knows the local regulations and offers you the best services at a cost-effective price point. Spending a couple of minutes looking into the grease trap cleaning service provider’s Better Business Bureau background and review sites can save you hours of headaches in knowing that you’ve hired a compliant and legitimate company.

Don’t go amateur

Remember that non-compliance point mentioned above? Improper maintenance can not only cost you more in the long run, but it can also mean that your restaurant could be considered non-compliant. Play it safe and hire professionals that have years of experience conducting grease trap cleaning.

When considering which grease trap cleaning service to use, consider that Drane Ranger has a four-star review on multiple sites, zero customer complaints with the BBB, and over 20 years of experience in the field. Keep your restaurant compliant, and help keep Houston off the “Fatberg” list by hiring an experienced grease trap cleaning service like Drane Ranger.

Warning Signs Signal for Septic Tank Cleaning

You never really think of your septic system until something goes wrong. It is just sitting out there under your lawn, just working to deal with your household waste, but what happens when it starts to fail? There are several warning signs you can look for if you suspect that something is wrong with your septic tank, but of course, you should have regular maintenance performed every few years from a company that specializes in septic tank cleaning in Alvin, TX anyhow. But, if these following warning signs start appearing, you should contact a septic tank cleaning service immediately.

Slow Drains

When you first see signs of slow drains, most people may think their pipes are the cause of the problem. However, if all your drains, toilets, bathtubs, etc. are draining noticeably slower, that may be a warning sign of a much bigger problem, with the culprit being the septic tank. So, if you notice all your drains slowing down, then it might be time to call in for a septic tank cleaning in Alvin, TX. NOTE: If you have a septic tank, avoid any industrial or commercial drain cleaners, and if you use any type of cleaner, ensure it is labeled as being septic tank safe so that they do not kill the microbes working in your septic tank.

Gurgling Water

Just like slow drains, if you notice a gurgling sound every time you flush your toilet, or when you run your faucets, it could either be a sign of a clogged vent pipe, or it could mean your septic tank is full, or that the drain field is full. That means you need septic tank cleaning in Alvin, TX.

Soggy Grass and Water Pools

Your septic tank, if properly installed, is going to be placed under a large section of the lawn. But what it shouldn’t be causing is a buildup of water on the surface. Septic tanks slowly drain water out of them into a drainage area, but if your septic tank is no longer functioning properly and needs septic tank cleaning in Alvin, TX, it may be draining too much water, saturating the soil, and causing your lawn to turn into a swamp, or a pool.

Ultra-Green Lawn

If you know the location of your septic tank (or even if you don’t), and you start noticing grass growing very well in a certain spot on your lawn, that could be a sign that your septic tank is starting to fail. Since the septic system drains excess water into a drain field (while keeping solids inside the tank), extra green grass could be a sign of something more than just water getting into the drain field—it could mean it is time to call for a septic tank cleaning in Alvin, TX.

Pipes Backing Up

Once your septic tank gets full or is starting to fail, it could start back draining into your home, especially when you are draining a large quantity of water at once. If your septic system can’t handle the influx of water and you don’t look into septic tank cleaning in Alvin, TX, it’ll just start backing up into your home, back where it came from and out of any available drains.

Odors and Sewage

Probably one of the most obvious signs that you need a septic tank cleaning in Alvin, TX is if you are starting to smell odors coming from your drains, or even while you are outside near the septic tank. You need to call in an expert immediately before more damage is done.

If you are seeing the warning signs of needing a septic tank cleaning in Alvin, TX, then contact Drane Ranger immediately to get your system cleaned out and brought back into working order. You can even set up a regular maintenance schedule with them to ensure problems don’t come back in the future.

Things to Consider When Hiring Vacuum Truck Services

Wastewater is something that many homes and businesses deal with every day. So much so that many people are forced to type vacuum truck services near me into their favorite search engine. Doing so, however, doesn’t always mean that you get the best or most professional company that is capable of dealing with wastewater, even non-toxic wastewater.

To find the best vacuum service company for you, you will need to think about what you need from the company you hire. Here are a few factors to consider when looking for vacuum truck services in your area.

1. Availability

Convenience is a major factor when it comes to vacuum truck services. After all, it should be a service that you don’t have to think about that often. You should simply sign the contract and expect the vacuum truck to regularly pump and haul away your wastewater. Always make sure you go with a “vacuum truck service near me” that matches your needs in terms of scheduling. They should be able to meet you when you need them and at a regularity that you prefer. So if that means weekly wastewater hauling that happens during the day, it shouldn’t be a problem. And if it means late-night pickups a little less frequently, that shouldn’t be a problem either.

2. Affordability

One of the best ways to save money on your wastewater disposal is by hiring a professional “vacuum truck service near me.” Many companies and residents attempt to do it themselves with an occasional truck rental, but this often proves more expensive. After all, hiring a truck every time and doing it yourself means losing time and money. But when you hire professional vacuum truck services, you get the waste disposal you need at a competitive price, and you don’t have to deal with it yourself.

3. Compliance

While it may be hard to believe, there are a number of rules, regulations, and laws that govern the safe removal and disposal of wastewater, even non-toxic wastewater. For many companies and residents, they find out about these many rules the hard way: by getting fines for doing things incorrectly. When you choose to go with a professional vacuum truck service near me, like Drane Ranger, however, you do not have to worry about these many laws. The company understands them and will take responsibility for that waste once it is in their care. That means you don’t have to worry about what happens once it leaves your property or business, and you can know that it is being properly handled after it’s gone.

If you are typing “vacuum truck services near me” into your favorite search engine, then it is probably time for you to call Drane Ranger. We have the skills, knowledge, pricing, and trucks that you need to help with your waste needs. Contact us today to learn more about our vacuum truck services and about how they can help you keep your home or business clean and up to local codes and regulations.

The Ins and Outs of Grease Trap Cleaning Services

What is a grease trap? Simply put, it’s a trap in the drain of a kitchen sink that allows unpleasant cooking wastes, but that also prevents them from coming out where they are not wanted. But this only works if the grease trap is cleaned regularly and maintained by a grease trap cleaning service. In your own home kitchen, that is not such a big problem, but in a school, in a commercial kitchen, or in another facility that serves the public, it’s an important process. The ins and outs of your kitchen sink help can explain the ins and outs of grease trap cleaning services and why you need one.

Why is a grease trap necessary?

Cooking always leads to mess, and a lot of that mess ends up in the sink and down the drain. It’s gone, and that’s nice because the problem is out of the kitchen—at least for now. It goes in the trap, but it’s not so nice, of course, because it does have to come out again before it causes a different problem down the line. That’s where grease trap cleaning services come in. In a small home kitchen, fats, oils, and grease can be easily stored in a tin can and thrown out when they are hardened. In a commercial kitchen, that’s not so easy. Grease trap cleaning services make sure that problems don’t occur by keeping the trap and drains clean and clear.

Another essential reason to keep on top of the grease trap cleaning services is that they keep the fats, oils, dirt, and grease out of the drains and sewers, and it stops them from causing even greater problems for the municipality. In the city of Houston, there are grease trap compliance regulations that require traps to be emptied out at least quarterly, and perhaps more regularly, depending on the types of foods, grease, and oils that are being put in the trap; the general output of the kitchen; and the size of the trap. An uncleaned trap is not going to do the job properly.

Clean means sanitary.

When the trap is left for too long, it won’t function properly, and foul odors will be present to make the mess obvious. A clean kitchen is a sanitary kitchen, so the grease trap cleaning service helps keep that mess from getting out of control.

Besides keeping it clean, the grease trap cleaning service can be of help in other ways. If you get busy and forget, they can remind you that it is time for the trap to be cleaned. In fact, they allow you to get busy and forget. Remembering is their job. The cleaning of the trap is also their job, so they will keep records of when it was last cleaned to be sure that you are in compliance with the city regulations. They will have the records on file, so you don’t have to worry.

If you would like to keep the ins and outs of your grease trap flowing smoothly in between grease trap cleaning service visits, call Drane Ranger for advice.

Septic Tank Pumping – Steps for Septic Tank Maintenance and Care

When living on a property that is outside the range of a municipal sewer system, or on a farm, one crucial piece of a functional system that is often overlooked is the septic system. Many people don’t even know where their septic system is located, or how to properly maintain and care for it. Most think they just need to call in a septic tank pump out service every few years and that’s it, but if you aren’t properly taking care of your septic tank system, it could break down and cause a lot of damage that would have been avoided with the proper preventative measures.

How A Septic System Works

Your septic tank system takes the wastewater from your home and ensures that the solid materials are properly held in the tank, all while still allowing water to be deposited into the ground through a drain field. Heavy solids will sink down to the bottom and get processed by bacteria, turning them into sludge and glasses. Lighter solids, like fats and greases, will float to the top as scum. Some of the solids are not able to be processed fully by the bacteria in the system, which is why a septic tank pump out service must be called every 3-5 years to pump out the septic system.

Maintenance Required for a Septic System

There are a few things that can be done to inspect and maintain your system, but most inspections should be done by a septic tank pump-out service yearly. Having this yearly inspection done by a professional means they can keep on record the status of your septic tank system, and they have been trained to properly deal with the possible dangers of inspecting a system (such as noxious gases.) One inspection you can safely do yourself is checking the area around the septic tank to ensure there are no leaks. Leaks can be indicated by extra soft dirt areas, or by extra fast growth of grass in a location around the drain field. Solids from a septic system getting into a drain field can irreparably damage it, so it is important to keep a regular inspection schedule.

How To Properly Care for Your Septic Systems

There are several things you can do to ensure your septic system stays healthy and well cared for.

Do’s:

● Regular yearly inspections, and a pump-out every 3-5 years by a professional from a septic tank pump-out service.

● Proper water conservation: too much water flooding a septic system can cause solids to get into the drain field, causing damage.

● Keep a diagram of where your septic tank and drain field are located so you know where to be checking for issues.

● Keep accurate pumping records.

Do Not’s:

● Avoid flushing anything other than wastewater and toilet paper into your drains.

● Drain chemicals and Bleach can kill the bacteria in your septic system, causing it to no longer break down many of the solids naturally. One tablespoon of drain chemicals and a few liters of bleach are enough to cause damage.

● Keep heavy vehicles, animals, and other things off your drain field to prevent compacting earth and damaging the system.

● Do not use a garbage disposal.

● Keep runoff away from your system, ensure roofs, patios, and driveways drain away from the drain field to avoid overwhelming it.

● Do not put concrete or other impermeable materials over the drain field or septic system; use grass. Oxygen needs to get into the system for the bacteria to break down sewage properly.

● NEVER enter the septic tank; the gasses and lack of oxygen can be fatal.

If you require a professional septic tank pump-out service to inspect and pump out your septic system in the Houston, Texas area, contact Drane Ranger today, either by phone at 281-489-1765, or visit their website.