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If you can hear strange sounds, such as hissing, gurgling or burping, from your plumbing, it is probably due to a pressure imbalance caused by the water flowing through the pipes.

As water flows through the pipes, pushing the air in front of it, it creates a vacuum effect. The plumbing vents on the roof are meant to prevent this. However, if you’re still hearing unusual sounds, it may indicate a vent issue.

Plumbing vents

Each house has a vent on the roof to allow sewer gases and air to escape and to equalize pressure.

Toilets have a tee, connected to the main vent to equalize the pressure and keep the drains noise-free.

When a toilet is flushed or a tub drained, a large amount of water is released. This creates an airtight seal in the pipes, causing a pressure difference between the pressure in front of the wastewater and the vacuum created behind it.

If the plumbing vents are not functioning properly, the air will not be able to fill the vacuum. This can make air can enter the toilet P-traps, the shower or bathtub. The strange sounds are coming from the affected traps, and a strong vacuum can suck the water right out of them.

Other common reasons for noisy plumbing

If you hear the pipes making a hammering sound, it is probably due to air trapped inside the plumbing.

Air hammer

An air hammer causes noises when a faucet is opened suddenly. This is because of the trapped air in the pipes that are highly compressed due to water pressure.

Water hammer

When it isn’t trapped air, the noise could be caused due to a water hammer. When you quickly turn off a faucet and hear a loud banging noise, followed by fading banging noises, it could be due to a water hammer.

When the faucet is shut off suddenly, it causes a small vacuum that pulls the water back and releases it against the valve.

Air and water in the pipes

The presence of both air and water are in old pipes can cause them to rattle. Expanding and contracting pipes because of heating up or cooling down can lead to strange noises.

If your plumbing has been rather noisy, ask a plumber to take a look at the vents, pipes and fixtures. If you are looking for pipe repair or septic tank systems maintenance in Clarkston or Oakland County, MI, call Shorty’s Sanitary Service at 248-332-6476.

No one wants to spend a huge amount of money on an unexpected septic pumping bill. So, here are some important tips to save you money on the next septic service.

Don’t wait for a disaster

You can easily save money on unexpected repairs when your tank is in good condition. And you can make sure your tank is in a good condition with regular service. It allows septic plumbing experts to spot and fix problems before they worsen and have a chance to turn them into bigger ones. Ask a septic tank plumbing company to assess the best pumping schedule for your septic system.

Everything can’t be flushed down the drain

Backups and clogs are the most common causes of unexpected service calls requiring expensive service. Most backups can be prevented with routine service and making sure that you don’t flush or rinse down the drain things like wipes, paper towels, tissues, balls of hair, and feminine products.

Other products you shouldn’t flush or rinse down the drain are –

• Gasoline and any oils
• Paint, thinner, or solvents
• Large amounts of antibacterial soaps
• Products with high levels of phosphorous
• Feminine products
• Makeup removing wipes
• Baby wipes

The manhole cover should be exposed

The manhole cover or septic cleanout should remain exposed and not be deeply buried. If it is deeply buried, have a riser or an extension installed. An exposed manhole cover makes it easier to access the septic tank for pumping, maintenance, and inspections. If you are looking for water removal services or septic tank pumping in White Lake or Oakland County, MI, call Shorty’s Sanitary Service at 248-332-6476.

You obviously don’t want any foul odors in the house, especially if they come from clogged drains. Foul smells are not only unpleasant, they may also worsen, if left untreated.

The simplest way to eliminate the odor is to find the source and repair or remove it.

The most common reasons a drain may produce foul odors, include –

• Dry P-trap – The curved section of the drainpipe under the sink is the P-trap. It captures water in order to prevent sewer gases from coming back up the pipe. A dry P-trap in sinks or bathrooms that don’t get used very often, can produce foul odors.

• Venting issues – Venting pipes prevent sewer gases from entering the house. These pipes may get clogged from debris, snow etc. This can allow sewer gases up through the drains, causing unpleasant smells.

• Sewer line problems – If you find the odor arising from multiple sinks, the problem could be a break or block in a sewer line carrying waste water. Such odor may be accompanied by bubbling sounds.

• Biofilm – Many different substances go down the drains, from body oils to shampoo. These substances can create biofilm which begins releasing an odor.

• Trapped food – Food trapped in the drains can clog a drain. The decomposing food can produce bad odor.

If you can smell some unpleasant odor around the house, especially in the kitchen or the bathroom, don’t try to DIY it. Call in a professional sanitary service who will bring the right equipment and trained personnel to treat the problem and rid your house of the odor safely. If you are looking for septic tank cleaning and pumping in Oakland County, MI, call Shorty’s Sanitary Service at 248-332-6476.

All of us need to be clear about what we can and cannot put down the household drains. This is important to ensure the household drainage system keeps working properly as well as to prevent hazardous materials leave a negative impact on the environment and groundwater.

So, here’s a list of things to never put down the drain and into the septic system.

• Solid waste. It’s not a good idea to heavily use a garbage disposal with a septic system. Avoid putting solid food waste down the drain, even small pieces such as coffee grounds.

• Chemicals. Bleach and other intense cleaners can kill the healthy bacteria in the septic tank, harming your system. Use more environment and septic-friendly cleaners.

• Too much water. Use dishwashers and washing machines wisely. Load your appliances fully before running and don’t run them too frequently in a 24-hour period. This will prevent overloading the septic drain field.

• Grease or fat. Letting grease down the drain can cause it to harden and clog the drains. Scrape excess fat and grease off cooking pans and throw into the garbage.

Your house’s septic system can last many years, if cared for properly. Schedule regular septic tank cleaning, pumping, and inspection. It is important to only rely on and hire experts to inspect and clean the septic system. If you are looking for water removal services in White Lake or septic tank pumping in Oakland County, MI, call Shorty’s Sanitary Service at 248-332-6476.

Septic tank cleaning needs regular maintenance just like many others systems on your property. Here are the top reasons why regular septic maintenance is a must.

Expensive

If the septic tank is not regularly maintained or cleaned, it may back up the household plumbing. This may necessitate more expensive repairs. Regular, professional maintenance will prevent the damage from worsening, saving you costly repairs and hassle later.

Damages may worsen

If the septic tank has minor defects and it is continually used, without proper repairs and maintenance, it is likely the damages will worsen and affect the entire system, turning a minor problem into a major one.

Health Risk

Improperly functioning septic systems are a health hazard to you and the neighborhood. Septic systems may become infested with dangerous pathogens that cause an outbreak. This can be prevented by cleaning and maintaining your household septic tank.

Property Value

The foul smell and leakages may adversely affect the value of your property.

Responsibility to Community and Environment

Failure to have the septic tank properly maintained will not only cause foul odor but also pollute groundwater, and soil. Proper maintenance of the septic tank is a sign that you take your responsibility to your neighborhood and community seriously.

Professional septic maintenance should be done regularly to prevent backups and damages to the system. To understand when and how to clean your septic tanks, consult septic professionals.

If you are looking for septic tank cleaning and pumping in Oakland County, MI, call Shorty’s Sanitary Service at 248-332-6476.

A septic system emergency can result in a great deal of stress and expensive damages. While most septic systems are reliable, you must know what can be done in an emergency to keep you and your home safe.

Have an emergency septic service’s number handy

You may not never need to call an emergency septic tank service company but you should still have a service in mind that offers emergency services. You may suddenly notice high water levels in your tank or notice foul odors. In case of an emergency, you don’t want to waste time searching for a septic services company to fix the issue. You need the umber handy.

Have it fixed right away

To prevent any health and safety risks, have any damage, clogs or leaks fixed right away. If waste has backed up, clean it up, disinfect floors and other affected surfaces immediately. If you are not sure about the needed tools or cleaning materials to do it on your own, contact a professional septic service company. Untreated sewage can contaminate nearby water sources and prove a health hazard to you, your family and neighborhood.

Check the drain field

If your septic system backs up, you may be able to spot signs of erosion or damage in the drain field. The septic repair and service can resolve the tank failure and renewed or sod over the affected area to protect your system. If you are looking for septic tank cleaning in Oakland County, MI, call Shorty’s Sanitary Service at 248-332-6476.

Do you have galvanized pipes in the apartment or condo building you own? If yes, you may have asked yourself this question – “Should I replace the plumbing?”

Here is some vital information to help you make an informed decision for your property.

Galvanized Plumbing

Galvanized plumbing is an old type of piping in which steel is coated with zinc.

Many older buildings still have galvanized piping. However, it’s not safe. Some old galvanized steel pipes were coated with unpurified zinc that had lead in it. So, older galvanized pipes may violate potable water standards.

Galvanized piping is also vulnerable to scale-buildup. This can reduce the diameter of the pipes, reducing the water volume. In many cases, rust could accumulate inside the pipe.

Pipes with reduced water volume that may become completely clogged soon are a disaster waiting to happen. If your building has old, galvanized pipes, it is a good idea to replace them.

Signs you have Galvanized Plumbing

• If a magnet attaches to it, it’s a galvanized steel pipe
• Reduced water volume is a sign of scale buildup
• Drinking water tastes off
• Water testing shows lead or other unwanted elements
• Brown stain on sinks and tubs
• Leakages in pipes

Alternatives to Galvanized Pipes

Now you have safer and more durable alternatives available to galvanized plumbing. Copper piping is the best choice. You could also consider PEX or PVC piping. Remember that plastic piping is not allowed in some properties.

There are a few other options to replace galvanized piping wherever possible –

• Replace part of the piping with copper: But you need to be careful about the mix of metals since that may prove hazardous.

Replace all piping with copper: This is the best and durable solution.

Septic tanks, as we all know are storage units that let the waste waterflow out from it to the drainage systems. Most of the industrial and domestic waste comes out and gets accumulated in the tanks that makes it filthy and unhygienic. Therefore, the tanks need to be serviced after a specific period. For this, the water removal services in White Lake and septic tank pumping services in Oakland County, Mi are some of the best ones to avail. The service providers not just inspect the vicinity properly and thoroughly but does the job efficiently.

Unclean septic tanks show signs such as foul smell coming from around the tanks, leakage of water from it due to overflowing of water and clogging of pipes that flush out the waste materials coming in from the industrial and domestic waste. The septic tank service providers, hence make it easy for the residents and commercial complexes to maintain their tanks as they would render their services to keep it clean. If you are seeking professional septic cleaning services in your area, book an appointment with the reputed service provider and get it cleaned in no time at all. Although the cleaning process requires a lot of time the end result is a clean and hygienic septic tank that you were looking forward to all this while.

Septic tanks make a huge difference in the way cities are maintained. Properly monitored tanks are clean and tidy resulting hygienic and healthy environment. There are many ways we can keep our tanks clean. Some prefer doing it themselves for the sake of personal satisfaction whereas some find it difficult. In most cases, it is difficult to clean the septic tanks as they need expert assistance. Septic tanks are full of dirt and filth that comes from the commercial and domestic facilities. The water removal services in White Lake and septic tank pumping services in Oakland County, Mi are something that may bring out the best service men on work and keep the tanks in good shape.

The tanks are not just the only way drain out the dirty elements coming in the form of chemicals from industries, waste products such left over food, human excreta and much more. So, cleaning it with bare hands is not only dangerous to us but practically impossible as well. This is when the need of professional sanitation services is felt who are experts in carrying out the necessary procedures. If you aren’t aware of which sanitation service provider is operational near your area, google it and you would find several of them who would come to inspect your facility in a few simple clicks. However, only the reputed ones should be contacted for such jobs as they are experienced and follow the best practices to keep the tanks clean and tidy.

There are many reasons why we need to keep the septic tanks clean and one of them being to keep the environment healthy. Not many people even bother to get it cleaned when they are required to and hence face problems like foul smell coming in from the tanks, leakage of waste water that spoils and creates filth around the tank and much more than we can actually imagine. Therefore, the water removal services in White Lake and septic tank pumping services in Oakland County, Mi have been offering cleaning services to the customers so that they get best experience ever.

One thing that needs to be understood when we talk about septic tanks is that they cannot be cleaned by one person alone. It needs special skills and equipment to get it cleaned. Therefore, the role of septic tank service providers becomes important. The global sanitation issue is growing messing up with the environment as a whole. To stop this erratic rise in the situation, services by septic tank vendors are the need of the hour. Book an appointment with the authentic dealer who would visit your facility and keep the tanks clean. The septic tank services are attended to by the experts who have years of experience in the field and would do the cleaning process with the utmost diligence.