Septic Tank Pumping

Fabric Softeners and Septic Tanks

Many Septic tank owners have gotten used to paying attention to what goes down their drains. This is especially true for owners who have had a tank for several years. They are usually pretty conscious about not putting anything down the drain that could be harmful. Unfortunately, these are still common products we use that can still harm your system. Like fabric softeners? Who would have thought that? As unlikely as it seems, fabric softener is not good for your tank. It can have the same effect as pouring cooking grease down your drain! In truth, the reason softener helps […]

When Should My Septic Tank be Pumped?

On average, nobody really thinks about their septic tank until they have an issue. Since tanks are underground, we don’t tend to pay attention to them until it’s too late. It’s recommended to have your septic tank pumped every 3-5 years. This is typical for a family of four. Sometimes, your tank has other plans. Does your tank need to be pumped? Here are some ways to determine. The first thing you can look out for is pooling water. If you live in an area with a high precipitation rate, this may be normal. However, if you happen to see […]

To Rising or Not to Rise: Pros and Cons of Septic Tanks Risers

Have you heard of a septic tank riser? In my experience in the plumbing industry, I think one of the most common things I hear is that a homeowner is not sure where their septic lid is. Most of the time, this is not an issue. Most plumbing companies will be able to locate your lid for you. However, it may be an issue for you because of the location fee. You can try to get a map of the county, but that leaves the buried lid issue. Usually, there will be a fee to dig the lid out as […]

Rain, Rain, Go Away From My Tank!

Here in the northern states, we’re pretty good about winterizing our systems for the coldest months. But did you know that the rain can affect your septic system as well? We get into warmer months and think we’re out of the woods, but heavy rain can cause problems for you if you aren’t careful. Heavy rainfall may flood the ground around your drain field. This makes it impossible for water to flow out of your system. The result of this is that it will cause the water to travel backward through your system and into your home! A flooded drain field can […]

Septic Vs Sewer

Looking to buy a home? Time to make decisions. One, if you would like a one-level or multiple-level home. Would like a fireplace, and if you would like to live in a neighborhood with either a sewer system or septic system. When you’re looking to buy a home, you don’t necessarily get to find a house then decide if you would like to be on city sewer or have your own septic tank. However, it’s something to take into consideration, such as; cost, maintenance, and what will profit you in the long run. On the city, you don’t have to […]

How often do you think about your septic tank system? With proper care and maintenance, your septic system can perform at its best for 25-30 years. As a homeowner, we don’t give much thought to what happens when waste goes down our drains. So If you are on a septic system, what you don’t know can cause multiple plumbing concerns to arise. However, at Express Plumbing Heating & Air, we want you to have all the information you need to know about your septic tank. What is a septic tank? Once sewage leaves your home it travels to a septic tank. Heavy solids settle to […]

Grease Trap Pumping

Grease trap pumping. Have you ever had to deal with grease? It can cause big problems in building drains and sewers. So a grease trap works by slowing down the flow of warm/ hot greasy water and allowing it to cool. However, as the water cools, the grease and oil separate and float to the top of the trap. Which allows the water to flow down the pipe to the sewer. Preventing grease from flowing out of the trap is what baffles and inlets are for. The trap will not prevent all the grease from going down the drain. However a well-maintained grease […]

Grease Traps & Pumping

Restaurants wastewater enters grease traps from 3-compartment sinks and automatic dishwashers. The grease trap tank acts as a reservoir holding the wastewater and food solids that enter the trap as the wastewater cools, the fat oil, and grease (FOG) harden and the food solids settle. The FOG, being lighter than water, floats to the top of the grease trap. The FOG and food solids remain in the tank, increasing in volume daily. Food solids and grease sludge (brown grease) settle to the bottom of the grease trap. So if you take a bucket of water and pour FOG, the FOG […]

Drain Field

Do you have a septic system? Then chances are you have a drain field. Did you know that the grass around your septic system can give you clues as to the condition of your septic system’s health? So There is an old saying “the grass is always greener on the other side,” well in regards to your septic system this could indicate a leak or early failure of your septic system drain field. Your drain field is one of the most important parts of your septic system. When the waste leaves your septic tank, it flows along into the drain field where it saturates into the soil. […]

Grease Trap Service

A Grease Trap is a common term typically used for an underground enclosure that serves as a receptacle for kitchen wastewater before it enters the sewer line. Grease is a general term used to describe animal fats and vegetable oils. These are a portion of the residue from food preparation and cooking. A Grease Trap is a common and necessary device in the food preparation industry. They are necessary to trap or intercept this grease. Grease Traps have been used for centuries, with the first patent coming in the late 1800s by Nathaniel Whiting. Without a Grease Trap, the grease leaving a kitchen […]