AFFORDABLE SEPTIC TANK INSTALLATION IN Waxahachie, TX

What Is the Process for Septic Tank Installation in Waxahachie?

Septic systems are a type of decentralized wastewater treatment and are commonly found in smaller towns, suburbs, and rural areas where many residents are not included on a centralized sewage system. Over 60 million people throughout the United States utilize a septic system. If you are looking to install one of these systems on your property, you are likely either purchasing a home that does not have a septic system or experiencing a septic tank failure.

When properly installed and maintained, septic systems improve local water quality and protect public health. However, because improper installation can cause significant problems, this process is typically carefully monitored by local health officials. There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to septic systems, which means that the installation process can seem slightly complex and overwhelming. In Waxahachie, you will begin by getting a site and soil evaluation in order to properly determine the appropriate system for your home. Once you have this information, you can begin the process of applying for a permit from the Ellis County Department of Development.

Once you have submitted your permit application, county officials will go through a number of steps. First, staff will review your application to ensure that it meets all local regulations. If it does, the project will be passed to your local inspector, who will come to your home and perform a site inspection. During this inspection, the inspector will compare the site to the scaled plan included in your application in order to ensure that the two match. If they do, you will receive authorization to begin installing your septic system.

After the installation is complete, the Department of Development will arrive to perform a final inspection. If the system passes this inspection, the maintenance contract between you and our team will become active, meaning that your septic system will be regularly inspected and maintained. 

How Does Permitting Work for Installing Septic Tanks in Waxahachie?

In Waxahachie, you will need to go through a lengthy approval process before beginning your project. When applying for a permit, you will need to include your site and soil evaluation tests, as well as a design of the septic system you plan to install. Texas state law requires that the inspector approve this design before construction can begin. You will also need a scaled site plan, which must include the following information:

• Property lines
• Slopes
• Easements
• Location of the building and septic system

If you are planning to install an aerobic septic system, the Ellis County Department of Development will require several additional documents in your application. You will need to include a service contract that both you and our specialists have signed. Contact information for both parties will need to be included on this contract. Additionally, you will need to include a certified copy of your notarized affidavit. After submitting your permit application, you can expect a response within 5 to 7 business days.

Typically, permit applications will cost $26 for the first page and $4 for each additional page, with a 4% convenience fee added if you pay with a credit card. However, prices may vary. For a definitive cost, you can contact the Ellis County Department of Development at (972) 825-5200. 

How Much Does Septic Tank Installation Usually Cost in Waxahachie?

The cost of installing a septic tank can vary widely, ranging from approximately $1,000 to $9,000 in Waxahachie. The price you will end up paying will depend on a number of different factors, including:

Cost Factor: The Materials Used

Septic tanks may be made from a number of different types of materials. Common options are fiberglass, concrete, steel, and plastic. Each of these material options has its own pros and cons, and each comes with a different price tag. Most affordable is plastic, which is lightweight and easy to install. However, plastic septic tanks may break if placed under too much pressure.

The most expensive option is fiberglass, which is lightweight and incredibly durable. The middle-of-the-road option is concrete, which is typically the most popular material choice for septic tanks in the United States. Concrete septic tanks have excellent longevity, but because they are so heavy, they are more challenging to install and thus slightly more expensive than plastic. Steel is typically not recommended, as it is more prone to rusting and corroding.

Cost Factor: The Size of the Tank

The size of your septic tank will directly correlate to the size of your family, as a larger group of people will use more water every day and must therefore have a septic tank large enough to deal with this level of wastewater. The average person will use up to 100 gallons of water per day, with most of this water being used for flushing the toilet. As such, installing a septic tank that is the appropriate size for your household is very important. When determining the appropriate size, our plumber will often look at the number of bedrooms in your home. The larger the septic tank is, the more expensive it will be.

Cost Factor: Your Soil Type and Quality

Soil is an incredibly important factor when installing a septic system. Certain types of soil are easier to work with than others. Loose, sandy soils are generally very easy to work with and can accommodate many types of septic systems, making it easier to choose an option that fits your budget. In contrast, clay soils are more challenging to work with and will limit the number of septic systems that you can choose. If your soil is more difficult to work with, the installation will generally be more expensive. Most homeowners in Texas deal with clayey soils that can be difficult to excavate.

What Type of Septic Tank Is Best For Residents in Waxahachie?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer when choosing the best septic system for your needs. It is important to work with experienced professionals like Mr. Blue Plumbing who can examine your space and soil type to help you determine which septic system you should choose. In Texas, aerobic septic systems are a very common option because of the clay soil prevalent in the area. They incorporate an air pump in order to aerate the tank, thus allowing oxygen-loving bacteria to thrive. This additional bacterial activity increases treatment efficiency. Aerobic systems utilize a process very similar to municipal sewage plants. The biggest advantage of this type of system is that it functions well even in poor Texas soil conditions and on small lots.

Another common option is a conventional septic system, which will feature a septic tank attached to a trench known as a drain field. Effluent from the septic tank will flow along the trench, trickling through the gravel before reaching the soil, where it will be treated by additional microbes.

Although choosing the best septic system may seem overwhelming, we will be able to assist you throughout the process in order to ensure you have a septic system that meets all regulations and fulfills your needs.

How Often Do Homeowners in Waxahachie Need to Have Their Septic Tank Inspected?

Septic systems serve a vital role in public safety, and a malfunction can be inconvenient, expensive, and even dangerous. When a septic system stops working properly, sewage will often begin accumulating on the surface of your yard. This can cause a foul odor, and is very unhygienic, particularly if the sewage begins to flow toward neighboring properties. 

Additionally, if your septic system is not properly removing bacteria, viruses, and harmful pollutants from your wastewater, this untreated water will seep into the groundwater, contaminating it. This contaminated water can ultimately spread disease to humans and animals, and will eventually work its way to rivers and lakes, where it will damage the local ecosystem.

Despite the negative consequences of a septic system malfunction, many people are unaware of the regulations surrounding regular septic tank inspections. By waiting too long to perform preventative maintenance, you may end up paying thousands of dollars to repair or fully replace your damaged septic system. In an attempt to reduce the prevalence of this issue, many regions have strict rules necessitating frequent septic tank inspections. In Waxahachie, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) requires maintenance providers like us to inspect your septic system three times per year. 

Typically, there are two types of inspection that may occur. A visual inspection is an efficient and straightforward option. In this case, our plumber will ask questions such as how frequently you pump the septic system and how old your home is. After obtaining this basic information, our plumber will check your water pressure, flush your toilets, and ensure there are no drainage problems.

The other option is a full inspection. Full inspections are significantly more in-depth and will only need to be performed every few years. In this type of inspection, our inspector will check the water level within your septic tank, ensuring that it is draining properly even when there is water running inside the house. Our inspector will then pump the septic tank, make sure your drain field is working properly, and check that there are no blockages in any part of the system.

Preventative maintenance is always very important and can save you significant amounts of time, stress, and money in the future. Taking the time to arrange regular inspections of your septic system is particularly important given the vital nature of proper water treatment. With proper care and maintenance, your septic system can last up to 20 years before needing to be replaced.