Cleaning Your Grease Trap

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Restaurants, cafeterias, and fast food chains usually have efficient plumbing systems that allow easy disposal of waste products. However, the excessive amount of oil and grease that come from all the frying, dish washing and cleaning can clog up the drain and hinder the flow of wastes in the plumbing system.

A Social Responsibility
When hardened grease and oil obstruct water flow in the drainage system, the whole municipal sewer could get affected. Clogged drains block water from flowing freely. With water stuck within the system, the possibility of flooding or sewage backup is higher. This creates a domino effect—when one system is congested, all the others are likely to follow.

Many homes and businesses are going to be affected, which means everyone else will have to clean up their drainage systems. That does not only cost a lot of money, but it brings a lot of headache as well. Food establishments should have an efficient grease trap installed within their business premises to ensure that sewer lines are not plugged. A grease trap is a chambered box that filters out oil and grease. Ensuring that all plumbing lines are clear is a social responsibility that everyone must share to prevent nuisances from happening.

Grease Trap Installation and Cleaning Frequency
All food establishments are required to have grease traps installed within their premises. Households and businesses with Waste Discharge Permits are exempted from the rule.

The size of the grease trap of interceptor varies according to the discharge rate of each establishment. Automatic dishwashers, exhaust hoods and pre-rinse sinks can all be connected to a grease trap to prevent blubber from blocking the drainage pipes.

The number of clean-outs required depends on how big the interceptor is. A 75-gallon grease trap should be cleaned every two weeks. Although a bigger grease interceptor is more expensive, it makes sense to install a sizable one to catch all grease from the kitchen.

What Not to Dump in Your Toilet and How it Can Affect Your Septic Tank

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The septic tank requires little maintenance, thus it’s often the most neglected part of the home. There’s very little effort involved in keeping it in good condition. However, homeowners need to keep in mind that a septic tank needs to be clog free in order to work properly.

The tank is not a garbage can and should not be considered as such. Flushing down sanitary napkins, diapers, and even toilet paper can stop the tank from working properly. Random items such as cat litter, coffee grounds, and cigarettes butts can also hamper the efficiency of the tank. Anything that’s non-biodegradable can stop the sewer system from functioning well as it should.

Bacteria grow in the tank, and they are responsible for breaking down the solids that make their way into the system. With a tank nearly filled with non-biodegradable materials, the bacteria in the tank will have a difficult time turning the solids into sludge.

What if the item is too small or too trivial to count? Items such as dental floss and cotton buds may not seem like a lot, but if the tank uses a grinder pump, small items can be stuck in the impeller, causing massive pump damage.

Moreover, chemicals from home cleaning products (such as ammonia, bleach, and drain cleaners) also impede the processes of the septic system. These chemicals interfere with the anaerobic bacteria’s job, making waste processing very inefficient. What’s worse is that the chemicals can seep into and contaminate the nearby water system.

There’s a reason why garbage cans are created—they’re for the proper disposal of biodegradable and non-biodegradable items. When the tank breaks down, it will be most costly for the homeowner to have it repaired. Proper care and maintenance of the tank should save owners from the headaches and expenses that a broken down sewer system brings and that’s where Edenflo can help.

New Video: How Does Your Septic System Work?

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Check out our latest video showcasing how your Septic System works, and how through regular maintenance with Edenflo Pump Truck Services, you can avoid damages, and costly repairs. For all of your Septic Tank and System needs, give us a call!

Use Edenflo for Your Hydro Excavating and High Pressure Flushing Needs

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Edenflo has been in the industry of cleaning septic systems for a while, making the business one of the trusted names in property management companies in British Columbia, Canada.

Employing a fleet of tandem axle vacuum trucks, Edenflo offer a wide range of property management services such as catch basin and sump cleaning, inspection, and preventive maintenance. Edenflo recently expanded its list of property management services, adding high pressure flushing and hydro excavation to the company’s roster of service jobs.

High Pressure Flushing
High pressure flushing removes sludge, silt and other debris from the sewer system and drain lines. This latest offering by Edenflo is a preventive measure that helps homeowners make the most of their septic tanks by increasing the efficiency of the systems.

This type of service saves customers money by preventing the overflowing of the septic tank. High pressure flushing is an environmentally-sound procedure wherein regular water is propelled through pipes and hoses to get rid of the waste buildup (such as grease, sludge and mineral deposits) on septic walls.

Hydro Excavation
A combination of high-pressure water and air vacuum, Edenflo uses the hydro excavation process to break down the soil in order to find underground utilities such as septic tanks.

Traditional excavation proved to be dangerous to the lives of workers, and hydro excavation is a very good alternative solution to uncovering facilities below the ground.

In Canada where the soil freezes during wintertime, hydro excavation using hot water is very useful. Manual digging is near to impossible, but the hydro excavation process allows worker better damage and control. It is also the preferred method for line installation trenching and creating landscape features.

Edenflo has gone a long way in the property management field. Through the company’s various services, homeowners can have peace of mind knowing that their septic tank and other sewage systems are in excellent condition.

Get Your Septic Tank Inspection before Winter

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With proper inspection and cleaning, a septic tank can last as long as 20 years. However, there are times when sludge from the tank accumulates more quickly and needs flushing out so that the tank would work properly.

Although routine maintenance for septic tanks is usually done every three years, homeowners should conduct an annual inspection of their tanks, especially if they have a garbage disposal system in the kitchen. The inspection is done to assess how much waste has accumulated inside the tank.

Regular maintenance of a septic system is less expensive than having it repaired. The grease trap and other tank parts should be inspected and cleaned to prevent septic tank breakdown in the future.

When to Have the Inspection
One of the most important things to remember is not to have the inspection during winter season. The ground is very likely to have become frozen from the cold—this will make digging test holes an impossible task to do.

If you must check on the condition of your system’s catch basin and other parts, do it before winter comes. A licensed septic system investigator should be able to determine if there is a need to flush out or repair the tank.

Flushing out the tank
The sludge sitting inside the tank is made of three different layers. The top layer is mostly oil and other products lighter than water. These float to the top, above the water, which is in the middle. The bottom part is where the decomposed solids are.

The purpose of pumping out the tank is to not only reduce the amount of liquid in the system (which can freeze up during winter), but also to break down the solids at the bottom. Back flushing the tank will break down the solids from the bottom, making the effluent a lot easier to remove.

Residents of Vancouver, Richmond, Delta, Surrey, Langely, New Westminister, Burnaby, Aldergrove and White Rock can call Edenflo for septic system inspection, maintenance, and repairs.

Tips for Winterizing your Cottage Plumbing

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Preparing your cottage for winter is one of the things that you need to do as the leaves of autumn begin to fall. Wintering the home is important since plumbing tends to freeze during the cold months.

Whether your cottage is going to be your home for just a couple of weeks or not, it’s important to keep its plumbing in good order. That way, everything will be in tip-top shape when spring arrives.

Here are some ways on how you can winterize your cottage plumbing:

  • Shut off all the pipes and tanks. If you’re not staying in the cottage for the rest of the winter season, be sure to turn off the power from heating pumps and water tanks. As long as water remains in the pipes, the plumbing can freeze up, making the pipelines very brittle and easy to crack.
  • Use anti-freeze chemicals on sinks and toilets. If you have already drained the pipes, moisture is still trapped inside and this can contribute to the easy freezing up of the plumbing system. The anti-freeze chemicals should be able to take care of the moisture problem in the pipes.
  • Shovel snow away from the cottage and not against the walls. In places where winter is severe, dealing with snow on the roof and the driveway can be extremely cumbersome. When shoveling off snow, make sure that it is far away from the walls of the cottage. Placing the snow beside the cottage can freeze up the plumbing system more easily.
  • Clean gutters thoroughly. The gutter is one of the most overlooked parts of the house. Prevent putting additional weight to the gutter by removing the garbage and other objects from the roof.
  • Cover up holes in windows and doors. Cold air can easily enter the cottage, if the windows and doors are sealed. If you’re not staying in the cottage overnight, use newspaper or rugs in sealing the small cracks.

Edenflo’s array of services and expertise will ensure your cottage is winterized and safe during the chilly season. Call us to arrange an inspection or service appointment.

Why Do Septic Tanks Overflow?

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Installing a septic tank in your property (if there isn’t a municipal sewer system available in your area) helps in waste water management. Although a septic tank could last for many years, there are times when it begins to malfunction.

Septic Tank and Septic System

One of the most common problems of a septic tank is overflowing. An overfilled tank is not only disgusting; it is also hazardous to health. When the tank overflows, the risk of contaminating drinking water with unprocessed human waste is bigger. This could lead to a number of illnesses that could be prevented if only an efficient septic system was installed.

Too Small a Tank
The size of the septic tank determines how efficient the system will be in processing waste water. For an estimate on how big a tank should be, multiply by 150 gallons the number of individuals in a household. That should be the holding capacity of your septic tank. A small septic tank cannot contain all the wastes and water in a home, so the risk of overflowing is greater.

Sludge Buildup
Septic tanks should be pumped out every three years. If there are more people and if a lot of water is used in the household, then the tank should be cleaned more frequently. Septic tanks spill over when there is too much sludge, water or solids accumulated in the system. To prevent an overrun, have the tank inspected by a licensed septic system investigator to see whether there is a need to repair or pump out the system.

Ground Water
Anaerobic bacteria in the tank break down solid wastes and convert them to sludge. Liquids in the tank go through the drain field and into the soil. When the soil is saturated with water, it becomes inefficient in absorbing the waste water from the tank. The waste water could enter the drinking water system and that could lead to a lot of health problems.

Edenflo specializes in minor plumbing and pump repairs, septic tank inspection and cleaning, and power flushing of storm and sanitary drain lines. Don’t wait for sludge and septic waste to infiltrate your home, ensure you book an annual inspection with Edenflo.

Benefits of a Catch Basin

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A catch basin allows rainwater collected on the streets to flow through underground pipes leading to sewer system. With a grate on top, a catch basin filters large debris from the road, ensuring that only water and smaller rubbish could fit through the slots.

Catch Basin Diagram

As an integral part of a municipal sewer system, the catch basin prevents roads from flooding. However, the catch basin itself could become clogged. A blocked catch basin is not effective in trapping debris and allowing water to flow freely through the drainpipes. Leaves, plastic and other objects could be stuck inside the basin, blocking off the passage of the water from roads.

Since the catch basin is used very often, it has to be cleaned regularly. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be able to serve its original function. An annual inspection should be done to see if the catch basin needs cleaning.

One way of knowing whether the basin should be cleaned is by looking at how much deposit has accumulated at the bottom. If the accumulated dirt is more than one-third the depth of the basin, then the catch basin needs to be cleaned. However, a weekly cleanup is required if trash has already found its way at the bottom of the basin.

The cleaning can be done either manually or by using an equipment. Vacuum pumps pull out the deposits, which are eventually disposed in landfills. Before the debris are thrown, a chemical analysis must first be conducted to check whether the hazardous waste is still within the EPA criteria. The analysis will dictate how the waste should be discarded.

Edenflo uses fast and effective methods for the removal of water, sand and debris from catch basins, culverts, sumps, storm and sanitary pump stations

Sewer Line Flushing Keeps the Lines at Home and Your Place of Business Clean

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The wastewater and sewage that leaves your home is going to go through the main sewage line. All of the wastewater will go through this line, from the water in the toilet to the water that goes through the washing machine. This is one of the main veins of your home’s system, and that’s why it is very important to make sure that the line is free of clogs and debris. If there were a clog in the sewer line, it would not take very long at all before the sewage started to back up into your home, and no one wants to contemplate that situation.

Sewer Line Flushing for Your Home

Sewer line flushing can make sure that you do not have to go through this type of problem. The flushing of sewer lines will make sure that you do not have any clogs or debris. The powerful jets of water can remove the debris so that everything flows through your sewer line. You should contact the professionals who can take care of this type of problem at the first hint of trouble. In fact, you may want to have an inspection, even if you haven’t noticed any major problems yet. The inspection can ensure that you do not have any nasty surprises waiting for you in your home’s sewer line.

Sewer Line Flushing for the Business

Of course, residential homes are not the only ones that could have trouble with their sewer lines. Businesses may well have a sewer line in need of flushing, as well. If you have a backed up sewer line at work, chances are you will have to close your business until you remedy the situation. This means that you are going to want to have an inspection and receive sewer line flushing to remove any blockages that could be causing an issue with your plumbing.

Do Not Wait

As you can imagine, this is a situation that you want to deal with immediately. The longer you wait, the worse it can become, and that means that repair costs and fixing the damage that it could cause to your home or business would be greater. With the high-powered flushing services for sewer lines available today, the professionals can clean the tank faster and more efficiently than in the past. Do not make the mistake of waiting too long before you have your main sewer line flushed.

Caring for and Eventually Replacing an Aging Septic System

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The cost of replacing an entire septic system is something that most people do not even want to consider. The price of replacing a system is many thousands of dollars and most do not have extra money that they want to use to spend on a new septic tank and system. Proper care for an aging septic system can help it last longer so that you do not have to go through the trouble and expense of replacement.

First, you should make sure that you clean and maintain your septic system regularly. Even an aging septic system can work well. You usually have to make very few repairs as long as you have a quality system. The most important partw of caring for your system are cleaning and inspections to make sure that you are not getting to the point where you are going to have a problem.

Second, make sure that you know what is going down your drains and into the system. Always make sure that you are not putting anything down the drains that is not safe. Depending on what goes into the drains and the system, it could cause damage.

With proper care, you can add even more life to an already aging septic system. With a new system, it will ensure that the system lasts for many years.

If You Do Need a New System

In some cases, especially those septic systems that are very old, you may not have a choice except to replace the system. If that’s the case, then you will want to make sure that you choose a high quality system and have professionals install it for you. Remember that you are going to have to have the cleaners come and remove the wastewater from your old tank before removal, too.

It is true that the cost of the system is high, but when you have an aging septic system that is in dire need of replacement, you do not have much of a choice. Try to look at it as a good thing, though. You will know that you have a quality system in place that you will not have to worry about in the future, and you might even find that it can add value to your home. If you are going to sell your home in a few years, being able to let people know that you have a relatively new septic system in your home can help increase the sale price.