Best customer call ever. He called me this morning wanting a price quote. I told him that we charge 38 cents per gallon and sales tax and that’s a flat rate. He asked what that was. A flat rate? I said that there is no other fees. I’m not going to be upselling you magic chemicals or anything else. As long as your correct on the gallons you can write the check out now and put it on the counter.
He continued to call around and asked a lower priced competitor. Are there any other fees besides gallons and sales tax. And then they stumbled all over themselves and said that there’s a $75 uncover the tank fee, and then he’ll have to buy a 195 dollar bottle of enzymes or there’s no warranty on their work and a penny per gallon per extension hose they’ll have to use if there tank is far from the road.
He was shocked. And then he couldn’t get them to quote any price. Just a whole bunch of fees.
Those who know the game choose us. No funny business. Just good honest work.
Plus to add. My prices are clearly posted on our website. Which is a legal document I might add. You can print it and take us to court. Which is why some of our competitors won’t post their prices on their website. Betcha didn’t know that.
Sometime last week we experienced an emergency call about a septic system only being 3 years old and needing pumped already. They have used Rid-X septic tank additives religiously over the past three years. And they thought they didn’t have to pump the septic tank if they used their product.
Here is the cut and paste from their website. It’s also on the package of Rid-X they were using.
“Q: If I use RID-X®, will I still have to have my septic tank pumped?
A: Yes, the average recommended time between septic tank pumpings is 2-3 years, depending on the rate of sediment build-up, family size, and other factors. Used regularly, RID-X® helps break down the solid waste in your septic tank.This may slow the accumulation of solid waste in the tank.”
Rid-X has never said use their product and never pump the septic tank again? Which is so confusing to me. I don’t know where/how these things get started. Even Rid-X know’s you will need to pump your septic tank every 3-5 years depending on use.
Below was the septic system that had used Rid-X every month. And it backed up in 3 years.
Here is a video of what happens when these screens are not cleaned annually. And there is no “septic technician” in a bottle. There’s no magical chemical that you flush that can clean this screen. It needs to be completely disassembled and cleaned. There’s no other way around it.
The consequences of not performing this maintenance, will be a pump that is starved and eventually burns up. And these are not cheap pumps at all. They start out at about $400 to replace and on up. And I really mean that. On up.
Now I did start recording a bit late. But here’s how the story goes. This is a home with two people living inside. This tank is only 3 years old. They use a commonly known septic tank additive every month. They have been using it religiously.
So they started backing up in the home. They were confused and called us to find out what was wrong. The septic tank was completely full of solids and toilet paper. I asked her what she thought the “additives” did. She said that it breaks down the sewage in the tank leaving a tank full of clean water. Just like the commercials.
I then showed her the septic tank. She was completely shocked and in awe that there was anything even in there. This tank was full, and bad. I asked her what she thought it was doing after she saw the contents. She said it best. ”Nothing at all.”
She is correct. We showed her the back of the bottle. Everyone reads the front, but no one reads the back. It clearly states that this does not replace regular septic pumping maintenance, and septic tanks need to be pumped every 3-5 years.
She then said, “What’s the point of using this stuff then?” I said, “Exactly.” Save your money. Just clean your tanks. Remember, septic systems have been around for more than a 100 years. Those companies have only been around for 30 years. They were working just fine before them, and in my experience, they don’t do anything besides eating a whole in your purses/wallets.
The second video below this one is what it looks like when the septic tank is all cleaned out. The sewage crushing machine has liquified the entire septic tank, and is now vacumming out the contents. This is how it’s done, in case you were wondering. :)
Here is a video of a clogged inlet baffle. There are two reasons why this house backed up into the house. The inlet pipe, abs plastic, was installed too far into the tank, and too close the concrete baffle. And the second is excessive toilet paper use.
I have been knocking this idea around for a few days. I want to show my appreciation for those who serve. But didn’t want to do one of those cheesy Memorial Day Specials. I really want to make a difference in a Senior Veteran’s life. My way of saying thanks for their, and their family’s sacrifice.
With that in mind. Please forward this post. Someone knows of a Senior Citizen Veteran, on septic, that needs serviced. First Call Septic would be honored to service them, entirely, for free. Just one though. I wish I could help everyone. But I cannot afford to lose my business. So with that in mind, I ask my facebook fans to find a senior citizen, in the Clark County Area that desperately needs septic work. My company is willing to do this entire service for free. Inspection/pumping/labor/discharge fees/filing fees/sales tax for absolutely nothing more than some old military stories and coffee. Heck, I’ll even bring the coffee.
Please let this post spread like wild fire. Post it on every wall you can, until we find a Senior Veteran.
This is a quick reminder about Laundry Day. It’s a nice sunday out today, and I want to be sure to put a bug in everyone’s ear about septic and laundry day’s.
It’s pretty easy. There shouldn’t be a laundry day. All that water, all at once is truly hard on septic systems. Try to space, one load, every other day. That is much easier and most important to aging septic systems. Also, remember try to upgrade your washer from a “water wasting” top load, to a water efficient front load.
You’re septic system will thank you by giving your many more years of service.
Today I was planning on posting the pictures I have gathered from a system that was completely clogged up full of roots. But I received an emergency call in Camas, WA last night at about midnight. Customer’s backing up takes pri0rity to pictures. I am going to get this out of the way and post the pics another day.
So today, I get to get an alarm in Camas. Then drive up to Yacolt and check on a customer attempting his own repairs to save money. But I don’t mind checking. I get to go on my motorcycle today. An excuse for a ride. :)
It’s been a busy two weeks. I have photos and stories to share. I will try to get them on this weekend.
I can’t believe how busy it’s been. Considering it’s spring break and all. Got a great workout yesterday, a homeowner has a septic tank that was 3.5 feet down. Took an hour and 10 minutes to excavate by hand. Good times. I slept well last night.
Here’s what happens when grease is added to the septic tank. The PH drops and all septic tank bacteria dies, and this happens. Let me tell you that this is never ever supposed to look like this. The damage done to this sytem is really expensive.
No grease down the septic tank ever. Or this can happen
