Septic tanks require pumping at least once every few years if not annually. Every household’s or property’s needs are different when it comes to a septic system. But irrespective of the size of the septic tank, you need to pump and maintain it as needed.

Septic tank maintenance is an essential step in keeping the sewage waste from your home or property safely inside the tank until it can be disposed of safely.

Here’s why septic tank maintenance is important.

To Keep the Septic Tank in Top Working Order

A septic tank works constantly to keep sewage waste out of your home and safely store it until it can be removed. But you need to ultimately pump-out the septic tank to avoid the buildup of waste inside it. Without proper maintenance, the septic tank can stop working efficiently after a period of time.

With the accumulation of solid waste, it can be difficult for the wastewater to find any space inside the tank. It then begins to back up inside the house. You will soon find the drains inside the house overflowing and toilet flushes not working properly.

When the septic tank is pumped-out regularly; the solid waste is removed in a timely fashion. The septic tank then works properly as it should be without any problems.

To Prevent Septic Tank Failure

Without regular septic tank maintenance, there is always a risk of system failure. When a reliable septic tank pump-out professional regularly inspects and maintains the septic tank on a property; any minor problem can be checked and corrected before they become big. With regular septic tank maintenance, you can avoid emergencies related to it.

An overflowing septic tank is an emergency situation. It can pollute groundwater and expose your family and the entire community to infections and diseases.

An aging septic system can also breakdown at any time. Reliable septic tank service professionals can perform regular inspection and maintenance of septic systems to keep them functioning smoothly. It can be very costly to replace the entire septic system. Even extensive septic tank repairs can require you to spend a significant amount of money.

Even a small leak in the septic tank requires immediate attention. It needs to be sealed or repaired without delay to avoid the stored waste material from contaminating the groundwater or cause any other problem.

Problematic septic systems can also negatively affect the value of a property. No one wishes to buy a house or a commercial property with a poorly-maintained septic tank on the verge of complete system failure. If the septic system on a property is already completely out-of-order; the value of that residential or commercial space can experience a steep decline.

To Prolong the Life of the Septic Tank

Periodic septic tank maintenance can extend the life of the septic system on your property. Maintenance work can include inspection of the septic system and pumping it out as necessary.

You need to pump out the septic tank depending on its use. A septic tank professional can help you guide with its maintenance schedule. Pumping out the septic tank may not be necessary every year. Usually, it needs to be only done once every 2-3 years depending on its use. But an annual inspection is necessary as pump-out professionals can check the system for any leaks, buildup problems, or any other troublesome issue. They can then perform the pumping or repair work as needed.

To Keep the Septic Tank from Polluting the Groundwater

Even when the septic tank is working efficiently and not causing any backups or other problems in your house; it can still cause sewage waste to enter the ground. It can then contaminate the groundwater.

The contaminated groundwater can flow into nearby bodies of water such as lakes and river. It can get into canals also. The infected water can not only be harmful to humans but also for livestock and other animals.

To Summarize

It can be very cost-effective to pump-out and maintain a septic system. Septic tank pump-outs are necessary only once every few years. With annual septic tank maintenance, you can keep it functioning properly for years down the line.

Whether you are a property manager, business owner or a homeowner, at some point you have to call a plumber. It is wise to do proper research about plumbing before contacting someone and turning them loose on your plumbing system.  The right plumbing contractors will make your day and the bad one will be your worst nightmare in terms of repairing and services that will haunt you for a long time until you change your contractor.

Have a few minutes in your hand? Well, then make yourself comfortable and go through the few thoughts and see if you are getting confidence in choosing a good plumber by the end of this blog. When interviewing several potential plumbers, check whether they have the following as mentioned below.

Word of Mouth

This is the most trustworthy technique for finding reputed plumbing contractors in Los Angeles. Take help from your family, friends, and neighbors. You would be assured that they will not be recommending any crazy plumber who has created a disaster. They will bluntly tell you which plumber to approach, the charges, office location, friendly or not and everything they will be sharing with you.

Ratings and Reviews

Check multiple sites for ratings and reviews of multiple plumbing contractors. Blindly you cannot trust the reviews but if you research well and read thoroughly you can able to spot the fake one and shortlist the potential ones on the basis of performance and integrity.

Search Online for Local Plumber

Type plumber near me in the search engine and it will provide a list in your area. Undeniably you want a plumber that resides nearby who can come at any time of the day. Check at least the top five plumbers by visiting their sites and what types of services they are providing. Go through each section of the site thoroughly and find how long they are in the business, do they have their in-house team or outsource from any other company. Besides these, are their offices are closed on weekends when your water heater might stop working or they provide service all throughout the year. Does the company have a license and insured? Do they have financing options or offer any free estimates? Do their services have some warranty period?

Asking Prospective Hires

It is recommended to shortlist a few plumbing contractors Los Angeles and start calling them. In your first conversation, try to get the idea of the company’s ethos. When calling did it get transferred to a voicemail or any live person taking your call. If there is a voicemail, what is the time for getting a return call? Was the company representative courteous? Are they able to answer all your questions?

The Plumber on your Speed Dialing List

Always remember that a visit to a particular company and having a discussion for long hours does not mean you will be choosing that company. There are companies that operate during day time and fly-by-night. You are searching for a company that you can contact during any minor or emergency situations, so it should a company of authentic people that you have a strong feeling that they care genuinely care for their clients.

First Plumbing Project

After researching and interacting with the potential plumbing contractors in Los Angeles, you can now pick the right one and hire them to involve in a project. Start with a less daunting task like replacing the faucet or repairing the leaky toilet. Check how the plumber does the job. Look at every aspect of the plumber from job execution to timely arrival to scheduling to communication to billing to follow-up to clean-up. If you feel that you are overanalyzing, then remember that you are looking for a contractor you can call back any time as long as you own your property. You want to develop a long-lasting relationship with the company and they should understand that you will be depending on them for any plumbing concerns.

Services

It is wise to find a plumbing contractor that provides an extensive array of services where you will get everything under one roof.

Be it for residential or commercial properties, it is extremely important to keep the AC units working optimally all the time. If you allow a problem in the air conditioner unit to persist then it can become badly damaged requiring costly repairs. At times the damage can be so extensive that you have no other option but to buy a new air conditioner. But you can prevent such inconveniences with the help of timely AC repairs.

Here’s when to call for air conditioning repair.

When you hear unusual noises coming out of the AC unit –

Strange noises from inside the air conditioner can mean a number of things such as a loose screw or a broken component. It is important to get the unit checked out by professional AC repair services to find the source of the noise and get it fixed.

The broken or loose components inside the machine can damage the other parts inside the unit. In fact, it is a good idea to call for emergency services so as to not delay repairing of the machine. For instance, if you live in Houston, any delay in repairing your air conditioner can mean risking the inconvenience of spending one or more days without the cooling comfort during the intense Texan summer months. So, in such cases, it is better to simply call a reliable 24 hour AC repair Houston and continue to keep your family safe from the onslaught of the intense heat. 

When water is leaking from the unit –

Water leakage from the AC unit is a serious cause of concern. It can mean problems with the coil or the condensation unit of the air conditioner. Leaking water can damage the AC unit along with the nearby walls and the ceiling. It is crucial to call AC repair services to find the source of the water leakage and get it fixed as soon as possible.    

The air conditioner will often continue to run well even with water leaking from it. But the water damage on the walls can be extensive if you don’t take care of the problem immediately. The leaking water can also continue to damage the AC unit even if it may not be apparent immediately. 

When the voltage fluctuates while the AC is in use –

Fluctuating voltage while the air conditioner is in use definitely indicates a problem whether with the machine or the wiring of the house. The AC unit should function without any problems. Anything short of perfect performance can be riskier for your family.

When unusual smells radiate from the AC –

Unusual smells coming from the air conditioners can be due to burned wires or the presence of mold inside the unit. If you sense a burning smell coming out of the AC then it is imperative to call in 24 hour AC repair services. You simply can’t wait for the morning if you feel a wire is burning inside the air conditioner in your house. Access to emergency AC repair services can be a boon in such situations.

Mold inside the AC unit can spread throughout your house with the circulating air. It can get inside the lungs of the people breathing that same air and pose a risk to their health.

When you simply wish to use the air conditioner after a prolonged break –

Even if you don’t see any apparent problem with your air conditioner, it is a good idea to call AC repair and maintenance services before using it after its been not in use for a while. AC repair professionals can thoroughly inspect the unit and repair anything that doesn’t seem right with it. Timely repairs can help you extend the life of your AC unit. It can also help you to reduce the likelihood of your air conditioner breaking down or suddenly encountering a problem during the hot summer months.  

When it comes to air conditioning repairs, it is better to not delay calling the experts. It is a good idea to take care of the problems in the AC unit straight away. 

To be honest, removing a heating oil tank is a costly process. It can range from $1000 to $4000. But it is still far cheaper than dealing with expensive oil spills. An unused heating oil tank is more problematic than a working oil tank. It will be going to erode at some point. And if oil leaks and spills occurred, the remedy of this environmental pollution may cost you thousands of dollars.

The cost of oil tank removal depends on various factors. Today, we will learn about the things that you should know about oil tank removal cost in NJ.

1. The cost of removing an underground heating oil tank is more than the above-ground heating oil tank because it has to dig. Location of the underground oil tank also plays an important role in determining the cost. If an underground oil tank is accessible by the equipment, then the cost of digging a tank will be less. But, if your tank is at a location where equipment cannot reach, and the tank has to dig manually, obviously it will cost you a little extra.

2. Size of the tank also plays an important role in determining the cost of oil tank removal. Oil tank removal process involves cutting the tank into smaller pieces and removing them. Smaller tanks cost less than larger tanks. A typical underground residential heating oil tank is either of 550 gallons or 1000 gallons, and above-ground tanks are of 275 gallons. So the cost of oil tank removal varies as per the size of a tank.

3. Another important factor which decides the oil tank removal cost in NJ is the orientation of the tank. The removal cost of a horizontally constructed tank is lesser than the vertically constructed tanks.

4. Content in the tank is part of the price of tank removal. The type of content in the tank decides the price of tank removal. Content inside the tank needs to be disposed of safely. If there is oil in the tank, there are no additional charges. If water is stored in the tank, then you have to pay per gallon for pumping out the water. Some non-operational tanks are filled with sand. If they are decommissioned properly, there are no additional charges. If a tank is filled with concrete, then it will be going to charge you a little extra.

5. You cannot remove a heating oil tank without granting permissions from local authorities. You need a permit from the local fire department to remove the residential heating oil tank. The permit fee is the part of the tank removal cost and varies from state to state. In some cases, a traffic officer is also required, and traffic officer charges per hour. So that will also be included in the price of oil tank removal.

6. It is always advised to hire an oil tank removal contractor that offers services at a fixed price. Many contractors provide low quotes to attract clients, but there are many hidden charges involved. So when you decide to hire an oil tank removal contractor for removing an oil tank, it is always advised to get quotes from three to four contractors and try to hire a contractor that offer services at a fixed price to avoid last minute surprises.

So these are the six key things that you should know about oil tank removal cost.

The Bottom Line

Removing a residential heating oil tank is an expensive affair. There are various reasons why people want to remove the heating oil tank including selling the house, switching to advanced methods of heating, changing the size of an oil tank or replacing the old leaking oil tanks. So before you hire an oil tank removal contractor, make sure your oil tank removal cost in NJ is calculated correctly.

All commercial kitchens and restaurants have a grease trap system, which separates fat, oil, and grease from the wastewater before it flows into the municipal sewer system. Although these filters function efficiently and separate oil and fat, it needs regular cleaning so that it functions effectively.

Grease traps in your kitchen sink keep oil from entering the pipes, but it is incapable of collecting a large amount of oil at a time. Therefore, it is important not to dispose of gallons of oil in your kitchen sink. When there is an overload in the grease trap, it clogs the pipes and backs up the drain. This can prove to be a great health hazard for the staff and the customers. Failure to clean the grease traps regularly can pose serious problems.

Reasons to Clean Your Grease Trap

Toxic and Pungent Odor

In due course, a large amount of grease, oil, and fat accumulates in the grease trap. The accumulated fat begins to rot and emanate a foul smell. Even if the grease trap is underground or outside, the smell makes its way into the pipe and back to the restaurant, if left unclean for a long period. This will undoubtedly affect the business of the restaurant. You can avoid this risk with a regular cleaning schedule for the grease trap.

Clogs the pipes

When grease and oil accumulate over time, it begins to form into a hardened mass that is extremely difficult to clean. It will obstruct the free flow of water from the kitchen sink and dishwasher to the main sewage system. When the regular flow is inhibited, wastewater and sewage will spill back into the restaurant, which is the last thing you want. Cleaning this oily mess can be quite expensive. Moreover, it might contaminate your kitchen making it unsafe to prepare food. You might even need to shut down your restaurant while cleaning up.

Damages the tank

The accumulated food debris breaks down in a natural and slow process. During the process of breaking down, it creates hydrogen sulfur gas, which in turn becomes sulfuric acid. It can damage the walls of the grease trap tank causing even more damage and expense. Regular cleaning is mandatory to avoid this major problem.

A penalty from the Health Department

Municipalities conduct regular inspections of grease trap system, and kitchen drains. If there is an excess flow of grease from your grease trap to the municipal sewer line, you will have to incur a penalty. A grease trap system fails when the tank has reached its maximum retention capacity. Therefore, it is essential to empty the tank and clean it regularly to avoid such problems.

Regular cleaning simplifies the task

When food debris accumulates in the grease trap for a considerable amount of time, it becomes a solid mass, which is extremely difficult to remove and clean. Some of this grease sticks to the walls of the tank rendering it extremely difficult to clean in the future. You can avoid this with regular cleaning and maintenance of the grease trap system.

Damages pipes and the trap

Built-up grease can wreak havoc on the pipes and the grease trap if it is grimy for a long period. Rotting food debris releases toxic gases, which can be detrimental to the pipes and the trap. Although plastic grease traps last longer than steel and concrete traps, it will also deteriorate eventually without regular maintenance.

Grease trap cleaning is not such a tedious task, as it might seem. There is hardly any need for you to worry about cleaning these traps, as there are many reputed and professional grease trap-cleaning companies. Some of the grease trap cleaning companies suggest draining, scouring and removing all the grease once in a month. However, if it is a busy restaurant, it is wise to clean the traps every fifteen days to avoid foul smell and drainage backups.

After all, you want your customer to enjoy the food and the ambiance rather than complain about the foul stench emancipating from the parking lot or worse from the kitchen.