Contents (Click To Jump)
- 1 What Is the Process For Septic Tank Installation in New Braunfels?
- 2 How Does Permitting Work for Installing Septic Tanks in New Braunfels?
- 3 How Much Does Septic Tank Installation Usually Cost in New Braunfels?
- 4 What Type of Septic Tank Is Best For Residents in New Braunfels?
- 5 How Often Do Homeowners in New Braunfels Need to Have Their Septic Tank Inspected?
- 6 Are There Any Rebates Available for Septic Tank Services in New Braunfels?
What Is the Process For Septic Tank Installation in New Braunfels?
Planning
If you need septic tank installation in New Braunfels, Texas, the process will start with a site plan. We do this because the city and state have some strict permit and inspection processes. We’ll need to make sure we have all the necessary information to get approval and complete the job right. First, we will need to determine the location, size, and type of septic tank.
Evaluations
Part of the planning process will usually include getting several evaluations done. To design and plan a septic tank installation that is best for your home, we need to evaluate how much waste the house produces. Next, we need to know the holding capacity requirements. Another evaluation will be done on the soil. It’s required by the State of Texas because most areas have moderate or poor soil drainage. If your soil is moderate, you may need to make changes to it. If it is a poor soil area, we would need to look at alternative waste treatments before releasing it to the drainage field. We’ll cover this a little more later in the guide.
Permits
Comal County and the State of Texas Commission on Environmental Quality require a permit before any work can be done. Once you have gathered the information and created a plan, you will need to file for the permit. The committee will have up to 30 days to approve or deny your permit application. If it’s rejected, you can change the plan to meet the requirements and reapply. Alternatively, you can dispute the permit denial. You can only do any work on a septic tank without a permit if it is an emergency repair. If this is ever the case, you will have three days to submit a notice of the repair work to the city after it is completed.
Installations
The septic tank installation process can take as little as a day or several. It will depend on the size of the system going in and how quickly the work can be inspected once complete. There are four main components of septic tank installation in New Braunfels: the home’s exit pipe, the holding tank, distribution tank, and the drainage field. Typically, the holding tank will get installed first. These are buried underground, so a backhoe will be brought in to excavate the yard. Once this is in place and it has been leveled, the drainage field will be dug up and installed.
After these two main components are in place and level, lines will be connected from the home’s exit pipe to the holding tank. Next, the distribution tank will connect the holding tank to the drainage field. From here, we will need to wait for the city’s inspection before back-filling or burying the septic system.
Inspections
As stated above, the work can not be completed without an inspection. A New Braunfels inspector will inspect on behalf of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. This is a critical step of the installation process. The inspector will be looking for any signs that might indicate a problem or failure in the future. If your tank were to fail, it could pollute and contaminate the groundwater in the area. This would be very expensive and a huge liability because it might make people very sick. Once the inspection is done, you’ll be given a report. If the inspection passes, we can begin back-filling, and you can start using the system.
How Does Permitting Work for Installing Septic Tanks in New Braunfels?
If you need a septic tank installation in New Braunfels, Texas, you will need a permit for the construction. You or the designated agent of the project can fill out the application. You will also need to submit soil data and any information that can help the county make a decision. The application comes with a checklist to help you better understand what is expected. Here are some things they need to know:
- The completed application for the permit and the authorization to perform construction of an on-site sewage facility, license to operate;
- A site and soil evaluation from our certified site evaluator or our professional engineer;
- Any planning materials for the OSSF that are required by the TCEQ and the rules for OSSF Chapter 285. The planning materials should also include a design of all system specifications;
- A copy of the recorded deed;
- The plan for aerobic treatment or system surface application;
- The recorded certification of OSSF; and
- A signed contract for maintenance with out team with the date of issuance of the license to operate.
You’ll also need to submit payment for fees at this point. You can expect to pay over $500 in fees just to get the permit for septic tank installation in New Braunfels.
How Much Does Septic Tank Installation Usually Cost in New Braunfels?
Many factors influence the price for septic tank installation in New Braunfels. No two properties are the same, so if you need a quote, we can help. We can tell you that, based on past work, most residential jobs in the area will range between $5,400 and $9,500. However, in some cases, the price can be above $15,000. This section will go over the three main factors that influence the cost of septic system installations.
Size of Septic System
The size of the septic system you will need will be determined during the planning and evaluation of your property. This will depend primarily on the size of your home and how many people will be using it. If you have a three-bedroom house, you will pay less than someone living in an eight-bedroom home. It is important to talk to our plumber about any plans to increase the size of your home. The idea is to buy what you will need throughout the life of the septic system. If you know that your in-laws will be moving in, add them to the plan now so you won’t have tank capacity problems later.
Type of Septic System
You have some options to choose from when picking out a tank. On top of size differences, there are also different types of material. The three main types include plastic, fiberglass, and concrete. Most people choose a model that has two internal compartments and the city also agrees that this is the best option. Fiberglass typically costs more because it will usually last longer than plastic.
Additional or Alternative Components
Many areas in Texas have what is considered poor soil. This just basically means that wastewater absorption is low. High amounts of clay in the New Braunfels soil make compaction and swelling more likely. If your soil test comes back unfavorably, you have some options.
- Install aerobic treatment unit (ATU) – This will break down the waste more effectively before it leaves the system. This will cost more and requires more maintenance.
- Sand mound filtering – This will allow the waste to filter through sand, effectively reducing the size of waste particles before entering the clay soil.
- Larger leaching field – If you have extra space in your yard, you can expand your drainage or leaching area. This will help with absorption and won’t cost as much money. This won’t be an option for smaller lots.
Another important note here: if you have clay soil and need septic tank installation in New Braunfels, the city will require a larger “buffer” between the system and the ground. This is usually a sand or sand mix that surrounds the tank. This way, if the clay shrinks or swells, it reduces the stress on the tank.
What Type of Septic Tank Is Best For Residents in New Braunfels?
Choosing a specific septic tank does not need to be overwhelming. Remember that our plumber will go over options that will work with your yard, soil, and waste capacity. Although many people around the country swear by concrete for strength, these tanks may not be a good fit for New Braunfels. Concrete tends to crack when clay soil swells and shrinks. Even with a sand buffer, this can occur. Fiberglass will last longer than plastic, and it has more give than concrete, making it a popular choice.
How Often Do Homeowners in New Braunfels Need to Have Their Septic Tank Inspected?
It is crucial to keep up with the regular maintenance of your new septic tank. This includes routine inspections and pumping. The cost difference between maintenance, which is $200 to $400 on average, is way less than needing to replace a failed system. The City of New Braunfels recommends both pumping and inspections by professionals like us every three years. If you use more water or produce more waste than your system can handle, you may need to reduce the time between checks.
If you notice changes to your drain field, foul smells, or slow draining showers and sinks, you will need to make an appointment with our team. These are common signs that your septic system is struggling in some way.
Are There Any Rebates Available for Septic Tank Services in New Braunfels?
The New Braunfels Utility company doesn’t have rebates on septic tank installation or maintenance. However, the offer rebates of $50-$200 for homeowners who replace their older toilets with low-flow models. This is an excellent way to reduce the amount of water you flush out of your septic tank. The less water your system needs to process, the longer it will last. Using low-flow toilets will also save you money on your monthly water bill.
