Questions we answer on the phone every week

Every 3 to 5 years for most White Mountains households. Tank size, full-time occupancy and garbage disposal use move it within that range. Vacation cabins and short-term rentals should be closer to every 2 to 3 years, because occupancy spikes act like a much larger household.

Slow drains throughout the house at once, gurgling toilets when the washer drains, sewage odor near the tank or drainfield, unusually lush grass over the leach field, and backup into the lowest drain. Backup means call now rather than schedule.

It depends on tank size, hose distance, whether the lid must be located and dug out, and how compacted the solids are. We quote on your address after those questions, rather than publishing a number that turns into an upcharge.

Typically 45 to 90 minutes for a routine residential tank. Add about an hour when we have to locate and uncover a buried lid.

Yes. It's routine on rural properties around Vernon, Concho and Snowflake. We record the location afterward and usually recommend installing a riser so future service doesn't start with a shovel.

Wipes of any kind, including ones labeled flushable; paper towels and tissues; feminine hygiene products; grease and cooking oil; cat litter; medications; and harsh chemicals that kill the bacteria doing the work in your tank.

Yes, and it should be more than a visual. An inspection opens the tank, checks liquid level against the outlet, examines baffles and lid condition and evaluates drainfield behavior. It's the difference between inheriting a maintenance item and inheriting a replacement.

Restaurants, RV parks, campgrounds, shops and multi-unit properties, on recurring schedules sized to the volume.

Unit type, rental length, service frequency and delivery distance set the price. Monthly construction rentals with weekly service are the cheapest per day; single-weekend event rentals cost more per day because delivery and pickup are the same work regardless of duration.

Construction: our standard is one unit per 10 workers with weekly service. Events: roughly one unit per 50 guests for four hours, plus about 25% more for longer events or where alcohol is served. Always include at least one ADA unit at public events.

Weekly as standard — pump, wash down, restock toilet paper, deodorize. Busy job sites and multi-day events go twice weekly or daily.

Delivery, placement, scheduled servicing, toilet paper, deodorizer and pickup.

Yes to both. ADA units have ground-level entry and wheelchair turning space; handwashing stations are freestanding with foot pumps, soap and towels, and are expected anywhere food is served.

One to two business days for job sites in the Show Low–Pinetop corridor. Two to four weeks for summer events, longer over holiday weekends.

Across our service area — roughly 50 miles around Show Low, including Pinetop-Lakeside, Snowflake, Taylor, Heber-Overgaard, Holbrook, White Mountain Lake, Linden, Vernon, Concho, St. Johns, Springerville and Eagar. On tribal land we confirm access and permitting first.