Category: Septic Tank Installation

Preventative Measures to Avoid Septic System Freezing

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If you live in a home that doesn’t have access to municipal sewage systems, don’t worry, you’re in good company. Recent estimates say that more than 60 million Americans rely on septic systems to service their homes and dispose of waste. Given that 18 percent of the country needs this vital asset to serve their home, it pays to learn more about septic systems and the red flags that you need to be on the lookout for.

Wintertime brings many of its own challenges, and you cannot underestimate its dangers to your waste disposal. When the mercury dips, it’s possible for freezing water to obstruct your system—a big problem.

Read on for some more tips about how to prevent frozen septic systems.

Insulation helps

In colder areas of the country, septic users are lucky to rely on snow to protect their septic systems. While this may sound counterintuitive, it’s important to bear in mind that snow is an excellent insulator—fluffy snow can be just as effective as pink fiberglass insulation when it comes to maintaining temperature.

Since snow is a rarity in warmer states, you may have to rely on other methods to prevent frozen septic systems. One tip is to put down a layer of insulating material about 1 foot deep and 5 feet wide over the sewer line exit point. This material can be anything from hay to straw to bags of leaves—as long as you put down something, it will help prevent frozen septic systems.

Keep the water flowing

One of the promising facts about how to prevent frozen septic systems is that those that are in regular use rarely freeze. Water is great at carrying heat, so if it’s regularly flowing through the pipes, then the likelihood that it gets cold enough to freeze is relatively low. The problem arises when the system isn’t in use for a while, like if you go out of town or rely on a system at a second home that you don’t visit every weekend.

Water won’t enter the system in these scenarios, and the risk of freezing goes up exponentially. If your home’s system is going to be out of use for a bit, then follow the same tip as above to insulate the pipes and prevent freezing temperatures from wreaking havoc.

New systems can be a problem

Another insulation factor that can impact your system is the quality of the surrounding landscaping. If you’ve just installed a new system and the soil above it is still bare, with no grass or plantings, then you’re at a higher risk of experiencing a frozen septic system. Landscaping can also act as a functional insulation layer, so be sure to get it planted as quickly as possible to prevent damage to your system.

Septic systems are tough entities, but they do require some basic maintenance and attention to stay running properly. Knowing how to prevent frozen septic systems should be your first task, but if you require more in-depth septic maintenance, then it’s time to place a call to our team of proud professionals at Countryside Construction Inc.

Why Homeowners Should Install a Septic System

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Septic tank and system installations have many advantages over hooking up your house to a municipal sewer line. They allow property owners to build a house wherever they want, not to mention skip all those monthly bills for wastewater removal. Keep reading to learn more reasons why installing a new septic system is the way to go.

They’re built to last

Septic systems are designed to serve your family for a lifetime. Chances are, you’ll never have to replace it as long as you keep up with inspections and get it pumped at regular intervals. The occasional bit of maintenance is all it takes to ensure your septic system will be functioning properly far into the future. If you’re looking for a solution that’s reliable and easy to take care of, installing a new septic system is the best option.

Rural homes need them

Septic systems are not only the best option, but might even be the only one available to you. Homes that lie beyond the city limits need a septic system because they’re too far away from the city’s sewer lines. Septic system installations can be set up anywhere, which gives people the freedom to build their homes wherever they want. Septic systems ensure homeowners in rural communities have a safe way of disposing of wastewater, no matter how far they live from the main sewer infrastructure.

Cheaper than sewer lines

Houses that are hooked up to the city’s main sewer lines will rack up monthly bills. In fact, one of the biggest monthly expenses associated with homeownership is paying for wastewater removal. Installing a new septic system will help you avoid those hefty fees.
If you’re purchasing a new house, the cost of hooking it up to the city’s sewer line falls on your shoulders. Not only that, but you’ll be paying monthly fees in order to keep using that public service. Septic systems cost the same amount or even less than municipal sewer line installation, and you won’t have to worry about paying every month to use it.

Kind to the environment

To get the most out of installing a new septic system, you’ll need a team of professionals who are qualified for the job. That’s why the sanitation experts at Countryside Construction Inc. are here to help. Septic system installation and service is our main focus. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

Will I Need Excavation for My New Septic Installation?

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A septic system installation in Southern Texas can be a serious job. Digging and installing a major home system like this is nothing to trifle with, so it’s important to understand what could be necessary if you opt to have such a system put in on your property. Many times, excavation will be a required part of this process, so it’s important to understand what this might mean.

Working with a qualified partner like Countryside Construction Inc. can be a big help in many ways, because we are up to speed on all local codes and regulations, allowing you to feel confident that the job is being done legally, safely and efficiently. Excavating land for a septic system installation requires careful planning and a thorough understanding of the process, and our company is well positioned to handle all aspects.

Cutting through the red tape

One advantage of working with a professional septic system company is that we have the knowledge of the permitting and regulatory landscape. These rules can seem overwhelming at times, but when you interact with them every day, as we do, they become much like second nature. Our excavation services in Southern Texas are so efficient at least in part because we have this understanding of the permitting process, so you can rest assured that it’s in the hands of pros who know exactly what they’re doing to get your project approved.

Excavating the site

Once a site for a septic system has been chosen and all paperwork properly handled, we then begin the actual job of excavating the land at the site. This is a much more controlled process than you might be picturing—it’s a highly-practiced and well-understood process, with steps that that need to be strictly followed if we want it done right.

Septic systems need to be buried quite deep if they are to work effectively, so the amount of digging and earth removal that’s required can be sizable. Our teams use a combination of machinery and hand tools in order to move out the necessary amount of land, and are careful not to disturb your property any more than absolutely necessary to get the job done.

Installing the system

The last part of a septic system installation in Southern Texas is actually placing the unit into the excavated space, including all pipes and other materials. Once this has been properly installed and tested, our team then buries the entire system, typically using soil and potentially a mix of gravel as well. We take pride in our ability to leave our clients’ landscapes looking untouched—by the time we’re done, the land will appear as smooth and as consistent as when we began.

If you’re in the market for a septic system installation in Southern Texas or are looking for alternative options like an aerobic treatment system, we want to be your first call. Let Countryside Construction Inc. put our four decades of experience to work for you and leave you with a septic system that will do great work for years to come!

What Type of Septic System Is Best to Install?

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While many people have the opportunity to connect their homes to municipal sewage systems, others need to have their own private solutions in place. Septic systems are one way in which household waste can be handled, and they represent an integral part of your home’s health and stability. Choosing the type of system and the technology that you want to rely on is a big step, so it’s important to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each type of septic system installation in Southern Texas before making a decision. Here’s a closer look at some of the variables to take into consideration.

Soil characteristics

One of the first things we consider when starting a septic system installation in Southern Texas is the type of soil we’re going to be working with. This factor can have a big impact on percolation rates. Effluent that runs into the drain field has to be able to pass through the soil at an appropriate rate—otherwise, the entire system can quickly grind to a halt. Even worse, you might find that the runoff can build up and even rise up through the soil, which can create a serious health hazard for your household and the surrounding environment.

On the other hand, it can’t move too quickly—otherwise, the microbes in the soil won’t have the time to break down the organic material in the waste before it arrives at the groundwater, which is another undesirable environmental situation. As a result, soil is one of the first variables we sort out when starting a new septic system installation job.

Poly vs. concrete septic systems

Choice of materials is another thing to consider when looking at a septic system installation in Southern Texas. Septic systems tend to come in concrete or plastic, and both have strengths and weaknesses of their own. Plastic septic systems are cheaper, lighter and likely more durable, but their weight can be a disadvantage. Items can “float” up underground in areas with high water tables, and this has been known to happen with plastic systems. On the other hand, concrete systems are much heavier and extremely durable, and their weight ensures that they won’t float—however, their incredible weight and bulk does make them quite difficult to transport and install.

Other things to consider

There are a number of other factors that your septic system contractor is going to factor into their plans. The amount of sewage that your household produces will impact the choice of system, for example—more people means more sewage, and you don’t want to have to pay for a system that can handle six people when there’s only three of you in your household.

Whether you’re in the market for installing a new system or need maintenance on an existing one, Countryside Construction Inc. is ready to partner with you. We’ve been in business for almost 40 years and are committing to serving every client in a personal and customized way—it’s the only way we know how to do things. Give us a call today to let us help you with your next septic project!

How to Prepare for Septic System Installation in Canyon Lake, TX

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If you live in a rural area, chances are you’re going to be using a septic system rather than being hooked into a traditional municipal sewer line. Once installed, septic tanks and systems can last for many years, but eventually they will need to be replaced. If you’re putting in a new septic tank or building on a brand-new property, what are the steps you can take to prepare for septic system installation in Canyon Lake, TX to make sure the process goes as smoothly as possible?

Here’s a quick overview of the steps you should be sure to follow:

For more information about the steps you should take to prepare for septic system installation in Canyon Lake, TX, contact Countryside Construction Inc. today.