Septic questions, answered plainly

There isn't one number that fits every house. EPA guidance is that household tanks are typically pumped every 3 to 5 years, and TCEQ, which oversees septic systems in Texas, recommends the same range.

Where your home falls depends on tank size, how many people live there, how much water you use and how much solid waste goes down the drains. A big household on a small tank will need it sooner. EPA also says the average household system should be inspected by a septic professional at least every 3 years, and systems with pumps, float switches or other mechanical parts about once a year.

If you don't know when your tank was last pumped, call and ask what makes sense for your place.

A proper pump-out removes the liquid along with the sludge settled on the bottom and the scum floating on top, from every compartment of the tank. The sludge is the part that matters most.

Skimming off only the liquid leaves the solids behind, so the tank fills back up quickly and the drainfield stays at risk. If you want to know exactly what your visit will cover, ask when you call.

The most common early sign is drains slowing down all over the house at once. One slow sink is usually a clog in that line. When everything is sluggish, the tank or drainfield is the more likely cause.

• Gurgling or bubbling in pipes and toilets
• Sewage odors inside or near the tank and drainfield
• Wet, spongy ground or standing water over the drainfield when it hasn't rained
• Unusually green, fast-growing grass over the drainfield
• Sewage backing up into tubs, showers or floor drains
• An alarm or warning light on a system with a pump

If you notice any of these, cut back on water use and call early. A slow drain is usually a smaller job than a backup.

It starts well before any digging. The site is evaluated and the soil is assessed to see how it handles water. A system is designed for the lot and the household, and a permit is obtained. In Texas that comes from the local authorized agent (usually the county), or from TCEQ where there isn't one.

Then the tank hole and drainfield trenches are excavated, the tank is set and the drainfield lines are laid and connected. The installation is inspected before it's covered, and once it passes, everything is backfilled.

The full step-by-step is on the New Septic Installs page.

It's the right question to ask any septic company before work starts, us included. In Texas, septic licenses are issued by TCEQ to individual people rather than to companies, and permits come from the local authorized agent, usually the county.

Give us a call at (979) 213-3460 and ask about licensing and insurance for your job before anything gets scheduled.