Can I Install My Own Septic System in Texas

Questions About Septic Systems

Click Here to larn about the unlike types of septic systems including:

• Conventional Systems - passive systems with drainfields
• Gravelled or Stone Systems
• Chambered Arrangement Leachfield
• Low-Pressure level Dose Systems
• Evapotranspiration Systems
• Aerobic Wastewater Treatment Systems

Questions Applicable to All Types of Septic Systems

Practice I need to obtain a permit to repair my septic organization?

Yes. With few exceptions, Texas law requires an approved permit to repair any type of septic arrangement. This law is intended to assure that the person making the repairs is experienced and understands the correct procedures and processes for repairing a system. The law is in place to protect the environment likewise as the homeowner and his neighbors.

What is the process for obtaining a repair or installation permit.

In Texas septic system repair and installation permits are issued through your county health department. The permit awarding considers the type of soil, placement of the arrangement relative to creeks, rivers, lakes and property lines, also equally the blazon of septic system to exist repaired or replaced and the installation or repair plan. Each canton maintains a list of licensed septic service companies. Because of the potential difficulties involved in obtaining permits, virtually service providers require the homeowner to complete and file the application. In almost instances nosotros, at Septic Solutions, are able to handle these details for our customers.

Can I affluent toilet paper into my system?

All septic systems are designed to properly procedure toilet newspaper. The size of the holding tank is based on the number of bedrooms in the dwelling. Commercially manufactured toilet paper is are septic system safe. Therefore, and then long as the system is not required to handle more wastewater than it was designed to handle, at that place should be no problem using toilet paper.

How oftentimes do I need to have my organization pumped?

This answer depends on the size of the organisation and the number of people using the organisation. Even so, for the average household, the answer is every three to 5 years.

	Household size (number of people)
	1	2	3	iv	5	6	vii	8	9+
Tank Size (gallons)	Elapsing (in years) Betwixt Pumpings or Inspections
1,750	i 9.1	1 four.2	ane two.6	1.eight	one.3	1.0	0.7	0.6	0.4
1,000	12.four	1 five.9	1 3.vii	2.six	2.0	1.5	one.2	1.0	0.eight
1,250	15.6	1 7.five	1 four.8	iii.4	2.6	2.0	one.7	1.four	1.two
1,500	xviii.9	1 9.1	1 5.9	four.2	3.3	2.6	2.1	i.8	1.5
i,750	22.1	10.7	one half-dozen.9	5.0	iii.9	3.one	ii.half-dozen	2.2	ane.9
2,000	25.4	12.4	i 8.1	5.nine	four.5	3.7	3.one	two.6	2.2
2,250	28.6	14.0	i 9.ane	half-dozen.7	5.two	four.two	3.5	3.0	two.6
two,500	31.9	15.half dozen	10.ii	7.5	5.nine	four.eight	4.0	3.5	3.0

Above table provided by the Texas Committee on Environmental Quality

Do I need to add additives to my system?

In most instances additives are unnecessary to maintain a properly funtioning septic organisation. However, sometimes a system volition become overloaded with organic textile and the enzymes and bacteria in additives tin actually assist. This can occur when a system is temporarily required to process more waste than it was designed to procedure, such as instances when their are frequent large parties or actress guests for an extended period of time. The need for these supplements is best determined past your service provider.

Flooding Related Questions Applicative to All Types of Septic Systems

Septic organization flooding occurs when a conventional drain field has been super-saturated past rain, or ascension stream, creek, or river h2o. In an aerobic system flooding occurs when the aerobic tanks fill with runoff pelting water and finish to office. In either case the first indication that at that place is a problem is usually that toilets no longer flush properly. Raw sewage may as well back up into shower and bath drains start since they are usually located at the everyman gravity point in the house. Here are some common steps to take when dealing with a flooded septic system:

What steps should I take if I suspect that my septic system is flooded?

1. If possible don't employ the system while the bleed field or tanks are covered with water. The wastewater will not be treated and volition get a source of pollution. Conserve h2o equally much as possible while the organization attempts to restore itself and the water tabular array falls.
2. If you lot have an aerobic septic system (with electric pumps), endeavour to preclude silt from inbound the pump bedchamber. When the pump chamber becomes flooded, silt has a tendency to settle in the chamber and ultimately clog the drainfield or damage the pump if it was non removed prior to flooding.
3. Use circumspection when opening the septic tank for pumping while the soil is still saturated. Mud and silt may enter the tank and stop up in the drainfield. In addition, pumping out a tank that is sitting in saturated soil may cause it to "popular out" of the footing. Newer systems are more than likely to pop out than older systems considering the soil may not take completely settled and compacted.
4. Practise not dig into the tank or drainfield area while the soil is still wet or flooded. Try to avoid using any heavy machinery near the drainfield or tanks in a saturated state, as they are especially vulnerable to damage under flooded conditions. Such activity may permanently ruin the soil'south ability to conduct fluid.
5. Flooding of the septic tank usually lifts the floating chaff of fats and grease in the septic tank. Some of this scum may float and partially clog the outlet tee. If the septic organization backs up into the house, cheque the tank first for outlet blockage. Make clean up any floodwater in the firm without dumping it into the sink or toilet and permit plenty fourth dimension for the h2o to recede. Floodwaters in a firm that are later on passed though or pumped through the septic tank volition crusade college than normal flows through the system. Every bit a result the adventure of outlet tee clogging increases dramatically.
6. Avoid contact with any electric pump or equipment that may have have been submerged during the flood until the device is clean and dry.
7. Aerobic systems, upflow filters, trickling filters and other media filters may have been clogged due to mud and sediment. These systems will need to be washed, raked, and cleaned prior to restarting the arrangement.

What should I practice afterwards the flood waters recede?

1. If you also accept an in ground well, exercise not drink the h2o until it has been tested by you lot canton health section.
2. Do not use the sewage system until the h2o in the soil absorption field is lower than the h2o level at whatever point around the house.
3. Have your septic tank professionally inspected and serviced if you doubtable damage. Signs of damage include visible settling or the ground above the tank or an inability of the organisation to have additional water. Nearly septic systems are non damaged by flooding since they are below footing and completely covered. However, septic tanks and pump chambers tin can fill with silt and soil and must then be cleaned. If the soil absorption field is clogged with silt, a new organisation is may have to be installed as the at that place is no effective way to clean out the cached lines in an absorption field.
4. Accept your tanks repaired or cleaned past trained specialists as the tanks may comprise dangerous gases and pathogens.
5. If sewage has backed upwards into a basement, clean the area and disinfect the flooring. Utilize a chlorine solution of a one-half cup of chlorine bleach to a gallon of h2o.

Questions Specific to Aerobic Wastewater Treatement Systems

How do I renew my Aerobic System maintenance contract?

Each aerobic system comes with a costless, two year maintenance contract that commences the day the installation process is complete. This service is initially provided by the installation company. Since most systems are relatively hands maintained during the first two years, some installers do not offer maintenance beyond that initial flow. Information technology then falls to the homeowner to find a licensed service provider who is trained and qualified to maintain the homeowner's specific make of aerobic arrangement. When you lot sign up with Septic Solutions, your maintenance contract is automatically renewed each year.

What services are provided under by a maintenance contract?

Typical maintenance contracts provide for 3 organization inspections per yr to certify that the system is operating properly. Expenses associated with repairs, chlorine, and pumping (when required) are the responsibleness of the homeowner. At Septic Solutions, we offering iii levels of maintenance contract service. Our customers choose the contract that is right for their situation. Our Silverish Plan covers free chlorine maintenance while our Golden Program offers complete coverage including required parts and repairs.

What activities are performed during a routine maintenance visit

This will vary between service providers. At Septic Solutions, we inspect and clean all electrical and mechanical components to ensure proper functionality. In addition nosotros cheque the sludge level in your holding tank. Upon completion of the inspection we provide our customers and the canton with a written study of our findings.

How of import are the air and h2o pumps on an aerobic organization?

Both pumps are essential to proper operation of a system. The air pump is used to aerate the wastewater and speed the processes of decomposition. The water pump is used to force the discharge water through the spray lines and onto to the land surface. If either fails to operate properly the wastewater will turn septic. This may exist observed every bit blackness, smelly h2o existence discharged by the system.

Is the water that is discharged past an aerobic system safe?

All commercially certified aerobic systems produce safe h2o when properly maintained. The h2o is treated to kill or eliminate pathogens earlier they tin be discharged through the spray field. However, the h2o is not treated to the level where it is considered safe to drink or drinkable.

How much does chlorine cost per yr?

The boilerplate family on an aerobic system spends $200 to $300 per year for chlorine. We offer our customers the option of installing a Smart=Chlor Liquid Chlorinator that can be operated at a substantial reduction in chlorine cost.

Why does my aerobic arrangement have an unpleasant odor?

The most mutual reasons for aerobic system odors are: 1) Overloading the system with chemicals, two) the presence of a brake in the air supply, iii) more wastewater input to the arrangement than it was designed to handle, and iv) inadequate disinfectant supply. Diagnosing the cause of odors is a difficult procedure that is best left to your septic system professional.

How often should I add chlorine?

Adding chlorine is on an "as needed" basis. You should monitor your system to assure that in that location are a minimum of 2-3 chlorine tablets in the tube at all times.

Can I maintain my aerobic system my cocky and avoid the need for a maintenance contract?

Texas law permits homeowners to maintain their own system when they have completed a vi-60 minutes, state-canonical Basic Wastewater Operations Grade, pass the state test, receive a Class D Wastewater Certificate, and receive a certification from the manufacturer of their specific wastewater system. One time the required certificates are obtained, cocky-maintaining homeowners are required to file copies of all certificates with the county health department. Due to time commitments required to obtain a document, the inherent unpleasantness associated with checking sludge levels, and the requirement to employ licensed septic providers to make all necessary repairs, most customers prefer to have their arrangement's maintenance under contract with a certified septic provider.

Questions Specific to Non-Aerobic Wastewater Systems

How can I tell where the problem is with my not-aerobic septic system?

We offer a diagnostic tool on our website that will assist you lot identify the department of your organization that is causing a problem.

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