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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.

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.

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.

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.

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 leech 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.

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.