Monthly Archives: June 2013

Time for Spring Cleaning – Book your Catch Basin Cleaning

After any significant storm, it is always a good time for spring cleaning to ensure that the catch basin is free of debris and accumulated dirt. More than just a preventative measure, normal cleanings can ensure that the catch basin is flowing freely, and working properly.

A storm drain, or catch basin, in every neighborhood provides proper drainage of excess water that accumulates after a storm, or from melting snow. Many of the catch basins all across British Columbia experience high flooding throughout the year. It is imperative to remove debris and sediment that has built up and accumulated in the catch basins. Any debris that is left on the surface grates or catch basins will eventually decompose. The rotting solids will make their way into the waterways and can significantly reduce the levels of dissolved oxygen which would increase levels of bacteria in the water.

Remove Harmful Solids
Alternatively, by utilizing vacuum pumps and other devices, the equipment can loosen away all compacted material and remove the solids from the basin. In some areas, this spring cleaning process should be performed frequently as a way to eliminate any blocking of the system which could cause neighborhoods to flood.

Routine basin maintenance is essential because debris, sediment, leaves, trash, chemicals and other harmful pollutants can so easily enter the storm drains. By removing the debris quickly, the removal process can eliminate the potential of the harmful pollutants that could make their way into the beautiful streams, rivers and lakes of British Columbia.

Ideally, it is highly recommended to create and implement an effective catch basin maintenance schedule to ensure that storm water structures and catch basins are flowing freely. To maintain an effective sump capacity, it is recommended that the basin be cleaned before they are half-full or when quickly filling up with dirt, leaves and other debris after the winter months. This can significantly reduce higher pollutant loads and harmful discharges to the area surface waters.

Property Managers: Schedule Hydro Flushing to Remove Blockages

The drainage pipes in older structures often require expert attention, especially when there is a need to blow out drain lines. Many property owners across British Columbia deal with a variety of plumbing issues where the water lines are not properly feeding the structure with enough pressure, or the drain system simply has built up layers of crusted debris making it impossible for the sewage to pass.

Assessing the Problem
Using advanced equipment, a trained technician can inspect and evaluate the problem. They can use high-pressure flushing equipment to thoroughly clean out any line from ½ inch in diameter, up to 8 foot wide storm drains. By using hydro equipment, the property manager can avoid the need to tear up drain lines and water lines that might be penetrating through the structure’s foundation.

Debris Sludge and Grease
Usually, the single largest cause for any drain line blockage in a commercial or residential property is due to the buildup of debris, sand, sludge or grease, or a combination of two or more components. By using high pressure water jetting, the technician can easily penetrate the grease and emulsify it. The process also breaks up any debris and sludge and is even powerful enough to pulverize roots. The jetting water can also cut away any of the hardened packed scale and flush out the entire system.

The process of using high pressure water flushing equipment is very economical, highly efficient, and safe for the environment. It is the most effective way to clean out sewer and drain pipes.

Routine Maintenance
When used as a preventative measure, hydro flushing offers an easy way to prevent against the buildup of mineral deposits and grease, along with intense scaling caused by decomposing debris and sludge. Any clogged can cause significant problems that could easily cause significant loss to revenue and customers.

Don’t Delay! Book your Septic System Inspection Today!

Performing routine inspection and maintenance on the home’s septic system is vital. Properly maintaining the entire system will allow the safe disposal of the home’s sewage system. Routine inspection and proper maintenance assures the homeowner of an operational, healthy system for many years to come.

The septic system is a part of the home’s plumbing system that contains three essential fixtures including the tank, the system’s distribution box and the drainage field. All of the liquid waste from the home is moved to the sewage system, and enters the septic tank. As the waste and water begin to accumulate, all of the wastewater will naturally separate into the scum at the top layer, the wastewater in the middle, and the sludge that makes its way to the bottom. The natural bacteria inside the septic tank use the organic matter as its primary source of food. The residual material simply sinks to the bottom to create sludge. The wastewater then makes its way through the distribution box and finally out to the drain field, where it soaks into the ground below.

Critical Routine Inspections
Routine inspections are especially critical to ensure that the drain field is operating properly, and will last for years. Excessive rain and melting snow in the springtime requires an inspection and sometimes pumping of the tank to ensure the entire unit operates properly.

Without a septic system inspection, it is very easy for the drain field to become clogged because the effluent water contains particles that should have been consumed by the bacteria, or fallen to the bottom as sludge.

With proper maintenance, the entire septic system can last for decades. Without it, it can quickly fill up and stop working altogether. Do not delay. It is time to book a septic system inspection today, to ensure the home’s sewer drainage system is functioning properly.