Plenty of Mentone is still on septic. From the homes along Mill Creek to the properties up Highway 38 toward the mountains, sewer never reached a lot of these streets, so routine pumping is the most important thing you can do for your system.
Mentone's sandy wash soils drain well, which helps leach fields last, but only if solids stay out of them. A 1,000-gallon tank with a family of four should be pumped every two to three years, sooner with a garbage disposal. Our trucks are in Mentone regularly, and we know the quirks of the older systems out here: undersized original tanks, deep lids, and root pressure from mature trees along the creek.
When a Mentone Tank Needs Pumping
- The lowest drain in the house backs up first
- The toilet gurgles when the shower drains
- A sewer smell near the tank or leach area
- Standing water or a wet spot over the leach field
- Grass over the tank stays greener than the rest of the yard in summer
- More people have been living in the house lately
What Happens When We Come Out
- You call and we set a time. If it's a backup, say so and we'll treat it as an emergency.
- We find the lid. Deep lids are common in Mentone, so we come ready to dig.
- We pump the tank and check the sludge and scum.
- We look for roots at the inlet and outlet and check the baffles.
- If a riser would save you digging next time, we'll mention it. Your call.
What We Handle
- Routine and emergency septic pumping
- Deep-lid locating and uncovering
- Root and baffle inspection at every visit
- Riser installation so the next pump-out is easier
- Emergency backup response, 7 days, including after hours
Why Mentone Calls Valley Drilling First
We've served Mentone as a family company since 1950, and we're C-42 licensed, bonded and insured. A pump-out stays a pump-out. Nobody's going to turn it into a sales pitch.
Do I need a permit for septic work in Mentone?
For pumping, no. Mentone is unincorporated, so septic permits for repairs, replacements and new systems go through San Bernardino County Environmental Health Services. We handle that paperwork on the jobs that need it and meet the inspector.
Why are septic lids so deep on older Mentone homes?
Many older tanks were set low, and years of landscaping, grading and wash sediment have added soil on top. It's common for us to dig down a ways to reach the lid. A riser brings access up to the surface, so future pump-outs are quicker and easier on your yard.
Does sandy soil mean I can pump less often?
No. Soil affects how the leach field drains, not how fast solids build up in the tank. Sludge collects at the same rate whatever the ground is like. Stick to every two to three years for a typical household, and sooner if more people live there or you run a disposal.
Nearby Areas We Also Serve
We also pump tanks in Redlands, Yucaipa and Calimesa. For everything else we do between the valley floor and the mountains, see our San Bernardino County septic page.
Call (909) 795-6164 for septic pumping in Mentone. Phones are answered 7 days, 8 AM to 8 PM, and after-hours emergency calls are answered too.
Get a Free Estimate →More answers on our Septic FAQ, or read about our company.
Not sure when your tank is due? Our septic tank pumping guide covers how often to pump, the warning signs and what happens on a visit.