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Pete's Outflow Technicians are your trusted source for reliable, knowledgeable, friendly septic tank and grease interceptor service. Since 1953, our family-owned and operated company has provided septic and grease interceptor maintenance service for residential, commercial and industrial properties throughout the area. Our services also include professional, unbiased septic inspections for real estate and county permit inspection reports, as well as restaurant grease interceptor cleaning with computerized maintenance scheduling.
Services
Pete's Outflow Technicians was founded in 1953 by the original owner, Pete Walquist, offering septic tank and line cleaning services in Santa Cruz County. Pete owned and operated the business solely until 1966, when Darrel Brown was hired on as temporary help. Darrel came from the California State Parks, maintaining and rebuilding the local area beaches, parks and campgrounds.
We recommend pumping your septic tank periodically to remove the solids that build up over time which will help prolong the life of your system. Most systems, depending on your family size, tank capacity, type of use and condition of your system, will need to be pumped every 3 to 5 years. Do not run laundry wastes directly into the drainage system because soap and detergent scums will quickly clog the soil pores and cause failure. We do not recommend using most additives as they have little or no benefit and can cause harm to the system.
Someone buying a new property will need to ensure that everything is up to working condition, and that includes the OSSF (On-Site Sewage Facilities). A thorough real estate septic inspection can tell you everything you need to know about a property's sewage disposal system, including if it needs to be replaced.
Fats, oils, grease and solid waste are the bane of many a restaurant, commercial or industrial enterprise. The accumulation of solid waste may lead to flow problems, unpleasant odors and even citations from city authorities. Pete's Outflow Technicians of Santa Cruz deliver expert grease trap cleaning service that keeps buildup under control.
Reviews (18)
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Brandon Parker
Jun 20, 2022
Great service, they brought two trucks to pump our septic at The Mat - Boulder Creek Laundry. They did great work and gave me a ton of tips about maintaining our system. I'll definitely work with them again. Great business, good people. Service: Sewer cleaning
David S.
Feb 25, 2022
Grapefruit, highly responsive, terrific with phone follow up, and terrific in person. Highly knowledgeable, totally recommend!
Renars G.
Nov 24, 2021
Great company and crew. I had an emergency and were able to fit me the same day. Good value, very friendly and professional crew. I had my septic tank pumped and given recommendations for follow up inspections. Dannon and Angel were the lead crew. Thanks you guys!
Peter Dittler
Aug 26, 2021
Thet were so "backed up" in a manner of speaking that it took almost a month for them to respond to our needs.
Frank Cheap
Jun 15, 2021
Kyle and Daryl did a fantastic job. Pumped the challenging septic system, replaced to cement lids, and patch some corrosion all at a very reasonable price. Thank you
Lonni F.
Apr 16, 2021
I used them to clean my septic system a few years ago, and overall was pleased with the service. I needed them again this month for a new issue. I attempted to contact them on a Wednesday afternoon. The call went to their voicemail, so I left a clear message. 24 hours later, no returned call, so I tried calling them again, and someone actually answered the phone.

I described the issue, and they said they were very busy but would give me a call back after they reviewed their schedule. It took them another 24 hours to get back to me simply to tell me that they had no openings for a month. If they have no intention of returning missed calls, then they shouldn't even pretend to accept voicemails. And taking 24 hours to check their schedule is ridiculous.
Barry Cioffi
Dec 30, 2020
These folks represent the best in local, family business! great customer service, super clean equipment and reasonable pricing. if you want to deal with true professional these are the people!
Frank C.
Oct 07, 2020
Good service. Fast and efficient even with 2 stuck cement lids, fused to the tanks.
Jennifer DeVault
Feb 23, 2020
Guys were very friendly and gave me helpful suggestions. Price was fair. I'll be using Pete's in the future.
Robin Wolfe
May 23, 2019
I've used these people 2x. The very first time I called them I was curious about when I needed to have my new septic tank drained. (I'd never lived at a house with a septic tank before.) The very nice lady I got on the phone asked me how long it had been since the last clean out and how many people lived in the house. Then she told me I probably didn't need service for a few more years. When someone is that honest, I really appreciate them.
Robert B.
Apr 30, 2019
Pete's just left after pumping and inspecting our moderately difficult septic system. 130' hose with 30' elevation required auxiliary pump - which they knew because they read the inspection report issued by another company 5 years back. They arrived on-time, were very knowledgeable, and efficient - a thoroughly professional company that I highly recommend
Robert W.
Sep 10, 2018
Wow. Call in to set an appt to get my tanks pumped and the dialog begins about how much they have to dig and that they don't know when they can be out. This goes on for a while. too long. They pumped the tanks 2-times prior with the previous homeowner so I thought wrongly that they may want to continue to the relationship as it needs to be done every 3-4 years.

She continues making assumptions, scheduling, whatever. I ask if they want my business or not. the lady on the other end of the phone then scolds me for my tone! Get real Pete's. If someone wants to get their tank pumped, no need for 20 questions. People work and don't need to be told that you'll call back, or ask my fiance if she's the homeowner, etc. Pete, or whoever runs this business, I'd suggest you replace the person answering your phones ASAP. Your competition was helpful and is pumping the tanks shortly. Then again, maybe you make too much money and don't really care.
Scott R.
Aug 31, 2017
Several years ago we had Pete's inspect our septic system and pump it when we bought our home. A few days ago the septic tank backed up into the house and I called for help. First day I called around 5 o'clock left a long detailed message. Today I called again and got the answering machine there at the business with no return phone call.

So much for helping something out during an emergency. Or returning a phone call. Even to say your schedule is full. Every time I try to support local businesses here in Northern California this is the type of professionalism I encounter. Nonexistent.
Ela N.
May 26, 2016
We needed to have our septic tank pumped after 5 years we have owned our house. We decided to go with Pete's Outflow Technicians because of yelp reviews. It was easy to make an appointment. They came on time and provided excellent service. Very professional and answered all the question that we had. Darren (I hope I got the name right) gave us helpful advice about how we can deal with unattractive leach field risers that stick above the ground level. 5 stars!
Scott S.
Nov 26, 2013
I have been a general building contractor in Santa Cruz for 30 years and have a very good feel for costs and servicing. These folks are definitely professionals. I had a problem with 2 systems on one piece of property that was complicated by a previous abandoned system. They figured it out right away and made short work of getting the tanks clean and functional. Very good "septic side manor"!
Erika D.
Jul 25, 2013
Thanks for the awesome job pumping, inspection, and repairing our baffle this week. I was very impressed with your professionalism, prompt assessment, and ability to compete the work in a crunched timeframe! If I had a firstborn child to offer in gratitude, it would be yours!
Anita D.
Mar 06, 2013
I just had a great experience with Pete's. The owner, Dean, came out with a helper, found and dug up our tank. Roots had started working their way into the tank since the last pumping and they worked really hard to get most of them chopped up and sucked out. They also made an excellent suggestion to have boxes built (which may be required on new septic installations now) so we have manhole like covers above the tanks.

No longer have to find and dig down to the covers. And the boxes are very well sealed so one can hope it will be a very long time before another root sneaks through the barrier. Everyone we asked about getting the tank pumped and inspected for the sale of our house highly recommended Pete's and now I am too.
Alan G.
Mar 31, 2012
They did a great job of quickly finding my tank, pumping it, and cleaning up and replacing all the dirt they had to dig afterwards. A little expensive, but good work.