That’s right  – it’s a floating porta john! Nix Tank Company is proud to serve our communities with portable restroom facilities at their special events. Recently, we were at a local regatta and provided them a restroom on a dock! We deliver convenience when – and where – it matters most!

Grease traps are vital to the plumbing system for just this very reason. Many people think that because grease, which is essentially fat and oil, is liquefied during the cooking process that it stays that way like water. Not true. If you fry a pan of bacon and drain the leftover grease into a container you will see that over the course of the day, the grease will solidify into a gummy, semi-hard ball of fat. Now imagine that in your drain pipes.

Grease traps prevent those clogs by catching the grease before it reaches your pipes. They vary in size and which one you choose depends on how much grease run-off your restaurant produces. Once the grease is collected in the trap it’s important to clean it regularly and dispose of the grease properly. This does not mean pouring it into a drain but rather allowing it to cool and pouring it into an approved receptacle. Later, grease removal will haul it away to be disposed of at the proper location.

Some residential homes have grease traps installed but for the most part they are used in restaurants and sometimes in industrial settings. It’s vital to a restaurant’s operation that the plumbing is sound and a large part of that requires the use of grease traps. By trapping grease before it solidifies inside the pipes you can prevent costly damage to the plumbing and keep your restaurant running smoothly.  Contact us today if you’re in need of a qualified grease trap specialist.

1. Pesticide – Pesticides are designed to kill things including the germs that aid in septic tank disposal and the drain field in which liquid flows. Never pour pesticides down the drain. It’s bad news for your septic system, your drain field, and can contaminate groundwater and the surrounding environment
2. Oil or Grease – When grease cools, it hardens. It doesn’t matter where it is either meaning that cool grease in your drainage pipes produces a clog. Clogged grease can cause a lot of septic tank problems so wait until it cools and solidifies and throw it in the garbage.
3. Paint/Paint thinner – The chemicals in paint and paint thinner are not designed to dissolve properly within a septic system. Just because it’s liquid and can be poured down a drain doesn’t mean it should. The proper disposal of paint and paint thinner is important and should be adhered to properly.
4. Cleaners – Strong household cleaners have the ability to do some serious damage to your septic system. They can erode the pipes and the tank itself over time, plus they are difficult to dissolve. The chemicals in cleaners hinder the function of the system and can poison the ground of the drain field, leaching into the water table and further into the eco-system.
5. Bathroom products – This includes things like women’s hygiene products and diapers. Even if they are labeled “flushable” do not flush them. Not only do you run the risk of clogging the pipes but the materials that these products are made of are not designed to dissolve properly in a septic tank. Don’t risk it and throw these in the garbage rather than flush them and avoid any possible complications from improper disposal.

The main thing to remember is to be gentle with your septic system and have it installed by and regularly maintained by a professional. It’s much easier to maintain a well-functioning system than to fix a broken one for sure.

What many people forget is that if you’re doing a quick home renovation something as simple as adding insulation can turn into a mess quickly. That’s why roll-off dumpsters are crucial to your pre-winter home project. There’s no way that 35 gallon trash can will be able to hold the debris and trash you need it to so renting a good quality roll-off dumpster is the best and most convenient way to dispose of the trash properly.

Roll-off dumpsters typically come in several different sizes for you to choose from. This makes it all the more simple to plan your renovation. Choose a smaller one for something like insulation and a large one for your roofing needs. As with many things, going bigger is a better idea than going smaller. Once it’s full, call and have us haul it away.

You should also be mindful of what can and cannot go into the roll-off. General renovation trash is fine, like roofing supplies, but things like paint and household food trash are typically forbidden. Paint especially should be kept out as it has to be disposed of properly and cannot be merely thrown into the garbage. At delivery you should be given a detailed list of things that cannot be thrown into a roll-off to avoid confusion.

Pre-winter renovations are a great idea to seal the house from the cold of the outside. Not only will the family be more comfortable but your wallet will thank you too with smaller energy bills. Just be prepared to rent a roll-off dumpster as well. You’ll be amazed at the amount of trash you throw out from a do-it-yourself renovation.

During the fall and winter, waste water as a general rule moves more slowly than it does in the summer because a lot of what is flushed or drained away has the propensity to freeze and slow down. Grease is no different. Consisting of fats and oils, grease as it cools becomes solidified and the cooler it gets the harder it becomes causing clogs in the plumbing system. This can become a real problem in the winter. Not only must you keep an eye on how much grease is making its way into the drain but if the trap freezes as well you may have a significant problem on your hands.

The first thing to think about is where your grease trap is located. If it’s inside then the likelihood of the weather significantly affecting the grease is relatively small. However, if the trap is located outside you may have an entirely different experience on the horizon as a frozen grease trap is much more likely to cause blockages.

To prevent weather-related issues you should inspect the grease trap more often than you typically do in the summer. You may find it necessary to have it cleaned and maintained more often to prevent the grease from hardening further and causing more problems. Snow melt and heavy rains have the ability to knock off hardened chunks of grease from the sides and bottom of the trap thereby draining them into the wastewater pipes. To prevent this have the trap cleaned thoroughly and completely.

Typically there isn’t much you can do about having an outdoor grease trap. It’s not like it’s a simple thing to bring inside to a temperature controlled environment. That means that maintenance during the winter months is key. Cleaning, draining, and having a professional regularly inspect your systems from time to time is the best way to keep the wastewater system free of grease and the trap functioning properly during the winter months.

Nix Tank Roll-off Dumpster at Work

Nix Tank Company is continually looking to meet new needs of our community and neighbors when possible.  From time to time we get the opportunity to provide services or support to the Gainesville community that we so proudly call home.  When we have the opportunity to provide these services it is often for local festivals, cookouts and other fundraiser events.

Recently Nix Tank partnered with Full Media, a local Gainesville internet marketing company, for a service project to remove aged equipment on site at Challenged Child & Friends.  Challenged Child and Friends is a Gainesville based facility providing educational services to children with a variety of developmental delays.  These services are a combination of state-of-the-art nursing, family counseling, teaching and therapy specially catered to children between the ages of 6 months to 6 years old. By providing one of our construction dumpsters we were able to assist in the removal of two substantial areas of play equipment over the course of one day that the facility had previously stopped using.

Our partners on the project with Challenged Child staff members

This service project shows our continued support of Challenged Child & Friends and the ongoing support of the local community of Gainesville.  We look forward to continuing our community focused efforts this summer and are proud to have worked with two great organizations on a great project.

How often should I empty my grease trap?

The frequency of emptying the grease trap varies widely from place to place because it depends on how much it gets used.  What’s important is that the grease trap should be properly maintained to prevent grease, oils, and fats from mixing with the wastewater and potentially causing problems.

How do I know when it’s time to clean it?

After every use is ideal but if that’s too inconvenient then a good level to dump the grease is when the trap fills to roughly 50-60%. You never want to deal with an overflow so more often is better than waiting it out.

How do I dispose of the grease from the trap?

It depends on how much grease you have to dispose of. If it’s a large amount then recyclers or haulers will come, pick it up and dispose of it for you. If it’s something much smaller then you can dispose of it yourself by pouring the cooled-down grease into a receptacle, sealing it, and throwing it away. The point is for the grease not to mix with your wastewater.

Does trapping grease really matter?

Yes. Grease is an issue because it doesn’t dissolve in water and as such can easily clog your pipes. It’s just like the saying goes, “They’re like oil and water. They just don’t mix.” Grease traps are absolutely necessary for the protection of your plumbing.

What happens if I don’t install a grease trap?

Honestly, you don’t want to find out. If you do not install a grease trap, the grease will harden in your pipes causing major blockage problems that can not only back-up sinks but also sewer pipes. The health issues with this are obvious and can only be remedied by a professional who has to come to your establishment and unclog the pipes. It’s much easier and cost-efficient to install a trap than to avoid it.

If you have any doubt in your mind as to whether or not you need a grease trap, err on the side of safety. They’re effective, easy to install and easy to maintain. Ultimately a properly maintained grease trap will save you hundreds of dollars in wastewater management fees.

The first question to ask yourself is what kind of event are you planning? This is important because the event will determine the kind of portable toilet needed. For instance, if this is a wedding then you may consider upgrading to a higher quality portable toilet that comes complete with a flushing toilet and a freshwater hand washing station. However, if you’re planning an outdoor concert then something simpler will most likely suffice. With Nix Tank, you have options.

After deciding on which model to go with, you need to consider the number of guests expected to attend. Again, if this is a wedding or formal event then you can gauge the number of people attending based on the RSVPs. But, if this is a festival then it’s much better to plan for more than for less. If you’re concerned about this issue, feel free to contact any one of our seasoned Nix Tank employees for answers to all of your questions.

One of the most important things to remember is to plan and reserve ahead of time. Summertime is a busy season for us here at Nix Tank and we look forward to serving you. But you have to get here early otherwise we may not the have the units or the number of units you require for your party.

No matter what type of event you’re planning Nix Tank is here to provide you with the same first rate customer service that we’ve provided for over 40 years. We strive everyday to help our customer’s pull off their event without a hitch. We accomplish this by giving our customer’s options and providing portable toilets that exceed the highest levels of sanitation regulation. Our prices are unbeatable and our service, impeccable. Call Nix Tank for a quote today.

While most of the materials needed for these jobs are obvious (paint, sledgehammer, wood and nails) the thing that many people overlook but quickly becomes essential is a dumpster. That’s where Nix Tank comes in. With our selection of rentals, you’re sure to find the right size dumpster for whatever remodel project you’re taking on.

You may be thinking to yourself “I don’t need all of that disposal space. I’ve got a trailer so I’m good to go.” Many people go this route at first, but eventually all of those trips to the dump day in and day out get time and gas-consuming. A much more efficient means of disposal is with a dumpster.

Also, there are always more materials than you think. Consider painting the living room in your house. We’re talking about multiple paintbrushes, rollers, paint trays, drop cloths, edgers, painter’s tape, and so on. Not to mention the leftover paint. Now increase those needs by about 100 and that will hopefully cover the exterior of your home. It’s a lot of by-product to get rid of… much more than your city-provided garbage can is able to handle. And who wants to transport used paintbrushes in their car?  We all known they’re never really “clean”.

Nix Tank provides several different sizes to suit your project’s needs. We recognize that there’s no need for a skyscraper size dumpster for your small deck remodel. Our dumpsters come in three difference sizes: 15 cubic feet (roughly 9 car loads), 20 cubic feet (12 car loads) and 30 cubic feet (18 car loads). Think about that. That’s 9 car trips to the dump to fill just one of the small dumpsters provided by Nix Tank.

If you’re unsure or have any questions about the services that Nix Tank can provide, please feel free to contact us. We’ll gladly apply our 40+ years of experience to any situation to help you complete the job you set out to accomplish.

Arguably, the most dangerous aspect of grease is that it’s flammable as those who have had to deal with a grease fire can tell you. Vegetable oil, if not monitored, can catch on fire in the pan itself. What’s more is that the fire it creates isn’t merely a flash fire but it will actually burn for quite awhile depending on how much oil you’ve used. Bacon grease is the same way so it’s important to be cautious with cooking oil and grease to avoid a flame-up. Also, to put out a grease fire most people assume you would use water. This is incorrect because water can actually accelerate the burn. Instead, use a powder, like baking soda, which will cut off the fire’s oxygen supply forcing it to extinguish.

Because grease is composed of fats and oils, it’s incredibly slippery and if spilled on the floor is difficult to clean up. Think about your last batch of fried chicken and those slick grease patches that wound up on the plate. Now consider spilling that on the floor and trying to walk through it without sliding. It’s dangerous and what’s more is that once it hardens, it’s difficult to clean because you can’t use water. Oil and water don’t mix, as the saying goes, and if you try to mop it up the grease will only spread. So make sure that you use a dry cloth to clean the floor properly to avoid slips and falls.

Finally, grease is difficult to dispose of and cannot be merely washed down the drain. This is, again, because oil and water don’t mix. If you pour grease down your normal kitchen drain, it will separate and stick to the pipes. Over time the grease will harden causing a clog that can result in not only backed up sinks but also sewer lines. Grease has to cool first and then be properly disposed of either via a grease trap in a commercial kitchen or manually in your own home.  It’s also important to regularly have your traps cleaned to optimum trap performance.

Ultimately grease matters because it’s dangerous not only for you but for your wastewater pipes as well. Delicious, greasy food isn’t going anywhere anytime soon so be smart and prepare it as safely as possible.