Monthly Archives: December 2015

Residential Pump Services for Septic Systems

“Out of sight, out of mind” is a terrible, costly approach to septic tank maintenance.

septic-tank-cleaningIf your home has a septic tank, rest assured that you are using a time proven, environmentally responsible method for getting rid of waste products. Septic tanks are generally very reliable, self-sufficient methods of waste disposal. They don’t require much maintenance, but what little service they do need is imperative in avoiding big problems in the form of sewage backups and potential overflows into your home.

Septic tanks are the great separation engine in your waste disposal system. When waste enters the tank, solids float to the top, where they form a layer of decomposing material called “scum”. Most of the scum turns into liquid containing mostly water and some nutrients that makes its way out of the tank and into the ground via your leaching field.

Any solids that don’t decompose sink to the bottom of the tank and become “sludge”. Because the biological action that takes place in the tank is quite efficient, sludge builds up slowly. When the level does, inevitably, become too high, it can interfere with the layer of water moving out into the leach field, and the scum at the top of the tank will build up too quickly and can actually back up into the “in” and “out” pipes of the tank. This can cause a backup into your home.

The answer? Preventive maintenance. You need to periodically pump out the tank to remove the sludge buildup at the bottom. How often you need to do this depends on a number of factors, including size of the tank, number of people in your home, and the size and makeup of your leach field.

To find out about how often you need to service your septic tank, contact the professionals at Edenflo. We’ll send out a knowledgeable technician, fully equipped to deal with your septic system. We can be reached at 604-575-1414 or fill out our online request for service.

Storm Drains and Catch Basins – Preventive Maintenance

Storm-Drain-Catch-BasinWhen it rains, or there’s a sudden snow melt (rare here in the lower mainland, but possible), it’s essential that the infrastructure in an urban or suburban area is designed so that there’s somewhere for the water to go. Otherwise, it ends up pooling in basements and around building foundations, where it can cause costly damage and lead to structural problems, mould growth, and other unpleasant conditions.

Most areas use storm drains (intakes that are connected to municipal storm sewers) and catch basins (“holding areas” for water that can fill when there’s a lot of flow, and empty slowly later) for runoff management.

It’s easy to forget about storm water management systems when it’s not raining, or when they’re working properly. The problem is that we don’t notice that there’s a problem until it’s too late – when the water is advancing on our homes and businesses, or filling up our basements.

July 28 2014 Catch Basin 1You need to take stock of your storm water management systems when it’s not raining. Edenflo specializes in pump truck services on the lower mainland, and can help you keep your storm drains and catch basins free of debris, and your drains flowing. We operate British Columbia’s premiere pump-truck service, with high-pressure water jets to dislodge clogs and vacuum pumping to take them (and whatever else) away for environmentally responsible disposal. We even have a special “lowboy” unit that fits into lower spaces, like underground parking garages.

Edenflo provides emergency response and preventive maintenance services to both residential and commercial customers. If you’ve got storm sewers or catch basins on your property call us and we’ll offer advice and service that will keep you out of trouble when the skies start falling.

For more information about the services offered by Edenflo, call us at 604-575-1414 or fill out our online request for service.

Preventive Maintenance for Residential Sewer Lines

Three of the most dreaded words you can utter to a homeowner are “sewer back up”.

kitchen-sink-drainIndoor plumbing is one of the best features of modern living. Waste is removed from our home, and taken to a remote location – either your own septic system or, in urban areas, a central waste processing facility that processes the waste before returning it safely to the environment.

As a homeowner, you are responsible to maintain the sewer line from your home to the location where it joins the main sewer line, where your property ends. This “main line” exiting your home is susceptible to problems that can result in blockage, and cause sewage to back up into your home, usually at the lowest point, your basement drains.

The problems can originate inside the line, with a buildup of grease or other material that then attracts other solids to stick, building a clog. They can also be caused by outside forces – tree roots are often the culprit, penetrating the line through gaps or actually crushing it under pressure.

The main indicator of a problem in the main sewer line is the smell of sewage in the basement. This odour is best not ignored, because it can be matter of a few hours before the effluent starts rising from the drains.

Edenflo is experienced in taking care of sewage problems, quickly and efficiently. Video Line Inspection uses CCTV camera equipment to pinpoint the cause of the problem. Most of the time, a clog can be cleared using hydro flushing, in which we use a high-pressure jet of water to blast it away. In the less common case that your main line is damaged, we can pinpoint the problem and expose it using hydro excavation.

To find out more about the many services, residential and commercial offered by Edenflo, contact us today at 604-575-1414 or fill out our online request for service.