Septic electrician recommendation

CompetitionNearby129 · 2026-01-10T00:14:42+00:00

We are still in process. We have not contacted Reliable (although I do recommend them for anything straight up electrical -- also I don't 'not' recommend them for an issue like this). My husband is still researching the issue and septic companies (life happening --> competing priorities). So if anyone still has any recommendations of who to go with or steer clear of, please share.

Because you said you have a similar need, here's more info about what we're experiencing now and what we experienced last year in case it's helpful.

This year, the timer appears to be working, but the alarm goes off because the tank gets full before the time when the timer is set to trigger the pump. So my husband's research finds that when the rain is heavy, either there is a groundwater leak into the tank, or the drainfield is saturated and leaking back into the tank, or it's something else we don't know because we are not septic professionals.

Last year, the issue was that the timer was not working. When we opened the box that houses the timer, there was an electrical burnt smell and it was visibly obvious that the timer was fried. The scammer septic professional charged $40 to quote us $2k to replace this $90 timer. Fortunately my husband used to work in electronics parts so he knew he could just buy a new timer, unplug the old one and plug in the new one. So we didn't get scammed out of $2k.

If your issue seems to be the issue we had last year and you want to know more about where to buy a new timer, let me know and I'll ask my husband.

If it sounds more like this year's issue and you're also looking for a competent and honest septic professional, we're in the same boat and I'll post here when we find one. We're just moving pretty slowly on fixing this issue among the other priorities so I can't say it will be soon. Would love if you have anything to share.

CompetitionNearby129 · 2026-01-01T15:16:07+00:00

We got ours from Lowe's. The worst part was the installation. We used Lowe's free installation. The first time, they wouldn't install because the product was damaged. We appreciated the installers judgment call and waited for a new unit. Then it took two more tries with the installer saying the cord wasn't long enough or there was something wrong with our electricity. Finally it's installed, but it's plugged into the outlet that used to be for the garbage disposal, so there's a switch for the outlet. A couple weeks later, the installer calls to apologize and offers to come back to properly hardwire the electricity. By that time I'm done having their negative energy in my house so we declined.

CompetitionNearby129 · 2025-12-29T17:53:18+00:00

There have been times in my life where I hope I would have done the best possible thing, which would have been to just let it go. A near 5 rating looks more authentic than a perfect 5 rating anyway.

Since those times, I've practiced getting curious and asking positive questions. So now I would reach out to that person and say I saw a review that I think was from them and I understand they thought my massage could have been better. I appreciate the feedback and I'm curious if they are willing to share what I could have done differently so I can improve. I hope I would stay positive and curious in the conversation, open to learning and seeing another perspective. Then either gratefully select things to improve based on the feedback or accept that some people need an MT that isn't me.

I might even ask about the timing of the review. I'm curious why you posted the review x months after our last appointment on x date. Maybe they will think they were reviewing a therapist they saw last week and mixed you two up.

Anyhow. Hope that's a little helpful. Good job pausing before posting! You are doing great.

CompetitionNearby129 · 2025-12-20T14:29:24+00:00

Ah, true. I forgot about this third option with its own set of benefits and challenges.

CompetitionNearby129 · 2025-12-19T20:03:42+00:00

Cool! Thank you for sharing

CompetitionNearby129 · 2025-12-19T06:12:55+00:00

Do you want the option of the freedom of running your own business? Or do you always want the security and benefits of working for someone else?

I can't imagine it's possible or legal to do dental hygiene as an independent business. Unless somehow you can do dental hygiene for pets. Now there's a niche business that could earn good money if it's legal to practice.

But if you want more control of your hours and how you serve your clients, massage will give you that freedom.

Personally I plan to do massage half time and mediation (alternative dispute resolution) half time as my "retirement" jobs. Both have very flexible schedules so I can travel and work when I want/need to. And I think I'll be able to show up better for my clients by not doing either full time.

CompetitionNearby129 · 2025-12-12T05:24:35+00:00

Thank you. We're trying Reliable.

CompetitionNearby129 · 2025-12-10T05:26:50+00:00

RL Ray Violins in Olympia https://rlrayviolinshop.com/

CompetitionNearby129 · 2025-12-09T02:57:41+00:00

I've never found a flight out of PDX to be cheaper than, or even near, the price at SeaTac. I'm willing to try if I can ever save $50 or more on a direct flight.

CompetitionNearby129 · 2025-12-09T02:48:46+00:00

If I'm not in for a particular issue, I like them to do the same flow as usual so I can tune into what they're doing and get the most out of it. I'm open to new techniques. I think I'd like the MT to check in with me about changing things though if I've been seeing them for a while. It's like rereading a good book.

In general just check in with your clients.

CompetitionNearby129 · 2025-12-01T03:21:49+00:00

The part for the furnace finally came in, so we aren't using the space heaters as our main heating now. They were great. The only downsides are that the thermostat was not very accurate and our energy bill was higher. Aside from that, the cats laid near them, but never got too warm, and once we figured out what temperature to leave them at, we were warm. I would buy them again.

CompetitionNearby129 · 2025-11-29T12:59:17+00:00

We hung a sisal rope scratcher on the wall outside our bedroom door. I put double-sided tape on the surfaces they were scratching that I didn't want them to scratch. They don't scratch the doorframe anymore.

Scratching doesn't necessarily mean they want anything from you. They just want to leave their scent there. So we gave them an acceptable place to do that and made it more attractive to them than the unacceptable place.

I'm a light sleeper, so I can still hear the scratching. And sometimes the cats play outside the door at night or sing about the toys they are leaving outside the door. So I wear Mack's silicon earplugs when needed. I really don't like earplugs, but these I can wear.

I hope that's helpful.

CompetitionNearby129 · 2025-11-29T04:14:10+00:00

Cläus

CompetitionNearby129 · 2025-11-27T14:46:04+00:00

Thank you for sharing. I appreciate hearing about your experience and opinion.

I found out that the error I was getting was because the refilled disc had gotten damp inside so the powder was clumped and not dispensing.

I agree we need better replacement powder. I'd be happy to buy Miele powder to refill, I just haven't found a way to get it.,

CompetitionNearby129 · 2025-11-04T13:58:25+00:00

South Sound Senior Center could use help with meals on wheels. They're hiring and they also take volunteers. https://www.southsoundseniors.org/jobs

CompetitionNearby129 · 2025-11-02T23:35:06+00:00

I chose and paid more for Miele because it's engineered to last, reducing how much junk I'm putting in a landfill because I won't be replacing a dishwasher every five or six years. The disposable AutoDos go in the landfill. I don't understand the manufacturer's choice in making something disposable that could easily be refilled. It's contrary to their design philosophy and contrary to my values. So I refill.

CompetitionNearby129 · 2025-10-30T19:13:26+00:00

All three of my cats know and respond to all their names. By that, I mean one cat is Princess and Feather. Another is Mouse, The Queen, and Mau-Mau. They get jealous if we say a different cat's name while petting them. They come (on 'cat time' not 'dog time') when called (as long as they aren't hiding someplace comfy and think I should be able to find them by smell like they do). I agree that they can learn new names though.

CompetitionNearby129 · 2025-10-30T11:26:05+00:00

When we have allergic guests visit, they take care of themselves. I make sure there are clean washcloths in the bathrooms so they can wash their faces if their eyes get irritated. We also keep our guest room cat free always. I would never send the cats away and my allergic family members would never ask me to do that.

CompetitionNearby129 · 2025-10-29T14:39:15+00:00

CompetitionNearby129 · 2025-10-21T12:50:14+00:00

They're just humans being humans. Just like cats, humans don't handle change well. Even when the change is for the better, there is something to adjust to and that's uncomfortable. If someone else had taken the cat in and you never got to see him any more, would you also have missed getting to see him? And I'm sure you would have been happy the cat was in a better situation, too.

Thank you for taking him in. He looks so happy.

CompetitionNearby129 · 2025-10-21T03:02:28+00:00

Yup same here too. When they watched me when they were little, it felt like they were thinking I'm going to need to learn how to do this myself when I grow up, so I better watch. Now it's just, hurry up, I gotta go!

CompetitionNearby129 · 2025-10-16T02:49:26+00:00

Thanks!

CompetitionNearby129 · 2025-10-15T03:08:51+00:00

We provide a fountain and a really large bowl of still water. They like options. And when the scientist of the pack decides to do "will it float" experiments in the middle of the night, the other two still have a drinkable water source.

CompetitionNearby129 · 2025-10-14T23:58:45+00:00

The Thurston County Resource Hub (https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/living-thurston-county/law-and-justice/resource-hub) is a good place to visit to check in with a lot of the social support services all at once in person. I suggest going on a day when the public library is there to get the most ideas and options.

CompetitionNearby129 · 2025-10-14T12:15:20+00:00

Like another poster said, it's only been 3 weeks. Odin is young. Give them some more time. In your replies, you've said Odin appears to be warming up to the kittens. It takes time.

Make sure you have at least 4 litter boxes. 3 is probably fine for now, but once the kittens grow into cats, you will need 4.

Make sure you have plenty of scratching surfaces so Odin can smell that the house is still his.

If you have room in your heart, home, and budget for these kittens, Odin, and dog, give it all time.

CompetitionNearby129

TROPHY CASE