Spring is almost here. As the temperatures rise, you might notice that your septic system is giving you more trouble than usual—and if not, performing regular septic system maintenance is a great way to prevent it. Since most systems are located entirely underground, it’s all too easy to forget that they need a little TLC, too. However, failing to maintain your septic system can lead to clogs, backups and sewage spills.
In order to avoid these messy, hazardous issues, make sure you schedule spring septic system maintenance, which will involve completion of the following steps:
Change filters: Your septic system uses filters, which usually need to be changed once per year. Spring is a great time for this talk. If you’re confident changing your own filters, you can do so, but it’s a better idea to let the professionals handle it when they come to pump the system or perform routine inspections and maintenance tasks. To ensure that you don’t forget next year, mark your calendar with a reminder now.
Point your downspouts away: As the rainy season starts, your septic system may suffer. If your downspouts are pointing at the system or drain field, you may find that your system floods. The best way to prevent this is to point the downspouts away from the system and your home’s foundation.
Watch out for floods: Spring usually brings a higher water table. If your area is prone to heavy rain or flooding, be sure to keep a close eye on your septic system. Make sure to call a professional septic system contractor if you notice flooding around the system or drain field. This could be caused by tank flooding, which can create a hazardous (and smelly) mess. Make sure to look at your tank and drain field areas at least once per week, especially if the weather has been wet.
Have your system pumped: Septic systems need to be pumped every three to five years, although you may need to pump sooner if your household is particularly large. Do you know how long it’s been since you last had your septic system pumped? If not, or if you’re new to septic system ownership, this is a good reminder to keep accurate records handy. Again, you should mark the date on your calendar in advance so you’ll never be caught by surprise.
Schedule a routine inspection: You should call a professional for a routine inspection at least once per year. Even if your system is functioning perfectly, they may catch problems lurking underneath the surface. Spring is a good time for this since the ground will thaw out.
Cut down on your waste: Finally, you can make a difference by adjusting your wastewater habits. Do your best to cut down on water usage. You may also want to reduce your garbage disposal and toilet paper usage—these solids pile up and may require more frequent pumping.
Septic systems offer a number of great benefits and advantages for property owners who don’t have access to municipal waste services or who prefer off-the-grid utilities. Regardless of why you choose to have a septic system on your property, it’s important to keep it working as effectively as possible with routine maintenance and septic system repair in Comal County, TX. To make sure your system is protected, you need to keep an eye out for some common septic system issues.
Septic systems come in many different shapes, sizes and designs, but they all have some key components and parts that may be susceptible to wear, tear, damage and malfunction—especially after many years of operation. Here are some of the most common septic system issues that property owners encounter:
Leaks:
Keep an eye out for an accumulation of water around your septic system or a soggy drain field. Septic system leaks can be caused by cracked concrete, rusty connections or a lack of routine septic system maintenance. Regardless of the specific cause of the leak, a septic tank technician can provide you with repair services to address the issue and fix the leaking before it gets worse.
Clogs:
Septic system clogs can lead to sewage backups and inhibit proper flow of water from your home. Clogs often develop as a result of putting excessive stress on a septic system. Avoid flushing any debris down your toilet, like floss or cotton products, and make sure to dispose of kitchen greases and oils properly without washing them down the drain to prevent clogs from forming. If a clog develops in your system, contact a professional who specializes in septic system repair in Comal County, TX to address the issue and clear the clog.
Construction-related damage:
It’s common for septic systems to become damaged during construction projects, especially if the project involves excavation. If you don’t know exactly where all your system components are buried, you might mistakenly hit a septic line or put excessive stress on your drain field. With that in mind, it’s important to make sure that you know precisely where your septic system is located before you start a construction project on your property.
Excessive use:
Using too much water at a time can put a lot of stress and strain on your septic system and lead to all kinds of problems. Stagger the use of your appliances and plumbing fixtures to minimize stress and avoid overworking your system. If your system has been damaged from overuse, contact a repair technician for a consultation.
Septic system repair in Comal County, TX
If you need professional help with septic system repair in Comal County, TX, reach out to Countryside Construction Inc. Since 1981, our team of expert technicians has been serving property owners throughout the area with high-quality septic system services. Regardless of what your specific concerns may be, we’ll get to the bottom of the issue and provide repair recommendations based on your needs. Give us a call to find out more about what we have to offer and to request a service appointment.
You rely on your septic system or effective and reliable operation, so it can be frustrating to deal with a septic system that has failed. When a septic system fails in Comal County, TX, the most important thing is to determine the source of the problem and take steps to address the issue. If you’re dealing with a problematic septic system, or you simply want to make sure you’re prepared in case your system fails in the future, keep reading for some expert tips and advice to help you keep your system working properly.
Causes of septic system failure
There are several different things that can cause a septic system to fail in Comal County, TX. Two of the most common causes of septic system failure are installation flaws and poor maintenance. If a septic system isn’t designed or installed properly, it is far more likely to develop problems over time and it is less likely to work the way it’s supposed to. Septic systems that are installed on sites with bad soil, sloping topography or a high water table are also more likely to fail.
Proper maintenance is essential to the long-term performance of a septic system. If a septic system isn’t maintained by a professional technician on a regular basis, it will rapidly develop all kinds of problems, from leaks and clogs to cracking and corrosion. Septic systems must be maintained at least every three to five years to prevent system failure and minimize issues over time.
How to handle septic system failure
When your septic system fails, it’s important to follow a few key steps. First, make sure you have an idea of the nature of problem. Look for signs of leaking and check your home’s basement and around your foundation for flooding. This will help you determine what kind of a response is necessary. Next, contact a professional who specializes in septic system repair in Comal County, TX. A technician will be able to come to your property and perform an in-depth evaluation of your system to determine what kind of action is needed.
After your technician assesses the situation, they will provide you with repair recommendations based on the condition of your system. There are lots of different repair services that might be necessary, including part replacement, maintenance and placement adjustments. Ask your technician about the cost of these services and the timeline necessary to complete the repairs. This will allow you to plan your project and make sure you’re prepared for whatever services are necessary to get your system working properly again.
Call for septic system repair in Comal County, TX
When your septic system fails in Comal County, TX, contact a reliable team to provide you with repair services. At Countryside Construction Inc., we know how important it is to address septic system problems proactively, and we are here to handle all your repair needs right away. Give us a call to schedule an onsite consultation from our team to receive repair recommendations for your septic system.
Winter has arrived in full force, so hopefully you’ve already taken the proper steps to prepare your home, including performing certain septic system maintenance tasks. However, if you’re still trying to catch up after a busy fall, here are a few tips for winter septic system maintenance in Comal County, TX to help you keep your system in good condition over the next few months.
Winterizing your system
The most common problems that tend to occur with septic systems in the winter include clogged and frozen pipes on particularly cold nights, so the process of winterization should focus on preventing those issues from occurring.
You should avoid putting anything into your septic system or pipes, however, unless you plan on leaving the property unoccupied all winter. In such a case, you should check with a professional plumber about additives you should put into the system. If the septic system is at your primary residence, you should instead look for ways to address existing issues with the system before the weather gets too cold.
We encourage you to schedule a checkup appointment with a septic system technician, especially if you’ve noticed issues such as slow draining. Slow draining is often a result of either the septic tank being full or the pipes in the system being clogged up. It’s a big mistake to allow this issue to continue into the winter, as major cold can result in those clogs becoming even worse, raising the potential for them to cause serious damage to your property.
Make sure your septic system is covered with soil. If there has been soil removed from the area around the septic system and piping areas, replace it quickly to make sure you get the full insulating benefits the soil can provide. It’s best to do this before the cold can seep deeper into the ground.
If you live in an area that gets snow, make sure you do not clear snow away from the septic tank or from the inlet and outlet pipes. The inlet pipe runs from the foundation of your home and goes to the septic tank, and if it remains exposed in freezing temperatures, there is a much greater potential for it to freeze at some point during the winter.
Snow, like dirt, helps to create some insulation, and it can be very helpful to have a nice, thick covering of snow over the septic system and its components throughout the winter. You might also consider wrapping any exposed pipes using special insulating wrap, which you can purchase from most hardware stores and home centers. The same kind of pipe wrap is often used for piping under cabinets that run along exterior walls.
These are just a few tips to help you keep your septic system in good condition throughout the winter months. For more information about how Countryside Construction Inc. can help with winter septic tank maintenance in Comal County and surrounding areas, we encourage you to contact us today. We look forward to assisting you soon!
Living the country life is a lot of fun—and a lot of hard work. If your home isn’t connected to the municipal sewer system, you likely depend on a septic system to handle your home’s wastewater needs. While most modern septic systems are fairly safe, easy to use and relatively self-contained, they still need a bit more attention than you might expect if you’ve never lived on a property with its own septic system in the past.
The best way to ensure that you’re caring for your septic system correctly is to work with an expert. Countryside Construction specializes in septic system inspections in Canyon Lake and surrounding areas, to come and examine your system. They’ll be able to help you determine the best course of action regarding maintenance and repair for your home’s septic system.
The State of Texas Mandates and many Counties require septic system maintenance plans.
In the meantime, there are plenty of things you can do to reduce the strain on your septic system and help it operate smoothly and effectively, including the following actions:
Only flush what you’re supposed to: There are plenty of things that you may be tempted to flush down the toilet that could wreak havoc on your septic tank. Avoid flushing dead fish, paper towels, cotton balls, diapers,baby or sanitizing wipes, condoms and other foreign objects down your toilet and drain. Only use toilet paper in the bathroom.
Do laundry carefully: If your drain field is looking a little soapy, chances are you’re using too much soap and detergent while doing the laundry. Only use the manufacturer-recommended amount of laundry soap when cleaning your clothes, and
consider switching to a less aggressive foaming agent.
Read the grass: You can learn a lot about the status of your home’s septic system simply by checking the grass between your home and your drain field. If there’s a line of yellow grass, it could indicate leaky pipes. If the grass is splotchy and brown, there could be other issues at play. And if the grass over the drain field is looking overly lush, this could also be a sign of a leak.
Never dump grease: If you’re wrapping up breakfast and find yourself with a large griddle full of butter and bacon fat, don’t dump it down the drain. Instead, let it cool down and scrape it off into the garbage can. As grease and fats cool, they harden, forming blockages in your pipes and your septic system.
Call when you suspect a problem: Anytime you think something may be wrong with your home or business septic system, don’t try and figure it out on your own. Instead, call the technicians at Countryside Construction specialize in septic system inspections in the Foothills of Texas and can accurately diagnose the problem.
Since 1981, Countryside Construction Inc. has been a proud and trusted provider of septic system installation & maintenance in Comal, Bandara, Bexar, Blanco, Guadalupe, Hays, Kendall and Medina Counties.
To learn about the ways we can help you control and care for your home’s wastewater management system, reach out to one of our friendly and knowledgeable representatives at Countryside Construction, Inc.
