Septic Tank Repair & Septic System Services in the Rio Grande Valley
When a septic system acts up, the cause is often simpler than it looks: a full tank, a clogged line or a pump that stopped working. A local septic pro can find the problem and tell you what it will take to fix it.
Common septic problems
- Backups. Water comes up in the tub or shower, or toilets won't flush. Often a full tank or a clog between the house and the tank.
- Odors. A sewage smell inside or outside the house. See why your septic tank smells.
- Soggy drainfield. Standing water or spongy ground over the drainfield, especially after rain.
- Broken or missing lids. A cracked lid is a safety risk for children and pets and should be replaced right away.
- Aerobic system problems. Alarm on, sprinklers not running, a smell from the sprinklers or the control panel not working.
- Damaged pipes or baffles. Roots, settling soil or old age can crack pipes and the parts that keep solids inside the tank.
What a repair visit usually includes
- Questions. When the problem started, the last time the tank was pumped, recent heavy rain.
- Inspection. The provider opens the tank, checks levels, the inlet and outlet, and, on aerobic systems, the aerator, pump, alarm and sprinklers.
- Diagnosis and quote. You get an explanation of what is wrong and a price before any repair.
- Repair. Some fixes take minutes (a reset, a clog). Others, like replacing a pump or a line, may need another visit or parts.
Repair doesn't always mean a new system
Many problems are solved with a pump-out, a cleared line, a new pump or a new lid. Replacing the whole system is usually the last step, after the simpler causes are ruled out. If someone recommends a full replacement, it is fair to ask what they found and why a repair won't work. Replacing or changing a system also needs a permit; see septic tank installation.
Aerobic septic systems
Some Valley homes have an aerobic system, the kind with an air pump, a control panel and sprinkler heads in the yard. These systems treat the water and spray it on the lawn, so they have more moving parts than a regular tank.
- Under Texas rules, a new aerobic system must have a maintenance contract with a licensed maintenance provider for its first two years. After that, the owner of a single-family home may maintain it themselves, but most people keep a contract.
- Systems with pumps and float switches should generally be inspected about once a year, and many maintenance contracts include visits about every four months.
- Keep chlorine tablets out of the house and garage, and keep people and pets away from the spray area. The sprayed water is treated, but it is not drinking water.
If the alarm is on, cut back on water use and call.
Keeping your system healthy
- Have a conventional system inspected about every three years.
- Don't drive or park on the drainfield, and keep trees away from it.
- Point gutters and roof drains away from the drainfield.
- Keep wipes, grease, cat litter, paint and medicines out of the drains.
Septic repair across the Valley
Local providers serve homes in McAllen, Edinburg, Brownsville and Harlingen, and the communities around them.
Septic repair FAQ
My aerobic system alarm is on. What should I do?
Use as little water as you can and call a provider. The alarm usually means the water level is too high or a part such as the air pump has stopped. Don't open the tank yourself.
Do I need a maintenance contract for my aerobic system?
For the first two years after installation, yes: Texas rules require a contract with a licensed maintenance provider. After that, the owner of a single-family home may do the maintenance, but it must still be done. Commercial and multifamily properties must keep a contract.
How do I know if a provider is licensed?
Ask for their license number and look it up on the TCEQ license search. Installing a system needs an Installer I or II license, and servicing aerobic systems needs a Maintenance Provider license.
Why does my yard flood over the drainfield after rain?
Heavy rain can saturate the soil so the drainfield can't absorb water for a while. If it stays wet days after the rain or smells like sewage, have it checked. See septic problems after heavy rain.
Can roots damage my septic system?
Yes. Roots grow toward water and can crack or block pipes and drainfield lines. Keep trees and large shrubs a good distance from the tank and drainfield.
Septic problem? Talk to a local pro
Call and describe what's happening. A local provider can tell you what it might be and when they can come.