Septic maintenance services in Arnold, California? The wastewater your home produces is referred to as ‘effluent’ and consists of blackwater (toilet and garbage disposal waste) and greywater (shower, sink and laundry waste). Effluent flows directly from your household plumbing into a watertight, underground, two compartment septic tank. Solid waste settles into a sludge layer on the bottom and fats float to the top of the first compartment. Between these two scum layers is a zone of clarified liquid effluent which is internally piped to the second compartment of the septic tank for additional settling.

Septic cleaning products are available to break up blockages in the pipes. Tree roots are a common blockage in older septic systems. Root killers, available at local hardware stores, can be used routinely to help prevent their spread. A pump tank is controlled by either control floats or timer controls. It also requires electricity to operate so limit water use if there is a power outage. If the capacity in the tank is too high or too low or a malfunction occurs, most systems are equipped with a red alert alarm (located on the top of the control panel) to warn the homeowner. Limit water use through a couple of pump cycles (10-15 hours) to see if the alarm goes out on its own. If the red light goes out, the system is working properly. If not, continue to limit water use and consult a professional septic service provider for advice.

We are also looking for signs of any problems or potential problems. During routine service we measure and check the solids. We will forecast when the next pumping is needed. After the work is performed we will report to you all of our findings and any recommendations. After maintenance is performed on all engineered systems, Foothill Sanitary Septic completes the manufacturer’s paperwork that gets sent to them and the owner. Doing this keeps your septic system compliant for any warranties that might still be available. It also develops a history for your system showing proper care & maintenance has been provided by a certified provider. Keeping good records is recommended by Foothill Sanitary Septic because if you ever sell your property, you have a record to show a buyer. Read extra info on septic tank pumping in Arnold.

Excessive water use can cause a septic system to fail. To reduce the possibility of a failed septic system due to excessive water usage, following a few water saving guidelines will reduce the amount of water entering your septic system and reduce your water bills. Flush toilets only when necessary and don’t use them as wastebaskets. Install high-efficiency toilets. Check for leaky toilets and faucets — even a small leak can waste up to 200 gallons of water each day. Install water efficient shower heads and take shorter showers. If you have a dishwasher, only run it when it is full. Use proper load settings when doing laundry. Don’t leave the faucet running when brushing teeth or shaving.

Foothill Sanitary Septic and Foothill Portable Toilets has been serving California in the Calaveras, Tuolomne, Amador, San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties for many years. With locations in Copperopolis, Valley Springs and Arnold we are equipped to fulfill all of your septic or portable toilet needs in a timely manner to your complete satisfaction. We’re committed to providing you with the highest level of service, so you’ll always choose us for your septic pumping, maintenance and repair needs. Discover additional info at foothillsanitary.com.