Septic guides for Hill Country homeowners

Septic help for Dripping Springs and the Hill Country

Most septic questions we hear come down to a few things. What kind of system do I have? How often does it need care? Why is the alarm on? And what do the county rules expect from me? These guides answer those questions in plain words, with the local details that general articles leave out, like thin soil over limestone, aerobic spray fields and the permit offices that cover Hays and Travis Counties.

If you are new to septic, start with the guide on aerobic and conventional systems. It helps you figure out what is in your yard and how it works. From there, the pumping guide explains how often a tank should be emptied, and the maintenance checklist lists the simple habits that prevent most problems. If you own an aerobic system, read the guide to Texas maintenance contract rules so you know what your provider should be doing and what records to keep.

Buying or selling a home? The buyer's guide covers what a septic inspection looks at, which records to ask for and how to fit everything into your option period. Planning to build on raw land, add a bedroom or replace an old system? The permit guides walk through the steps with Hays County and Travis County, from the site evaluation to the final inspection.

You will also find guides on common warning signs, such as a septic smell in the yard, spray heads that will not pop up, a tank that seems full and what happens to a system after heavy rain or a long drought. We cover the everyday choices too, like garbage disposals, water softeners, landscaping and what not to flush.

Rules can change and can differ from one county or city to the next. Treat these guides as a starting point, and confirm the details with your local permit office before you start a project. If you want someone to look at your system, our septic services page lists everything we do, and our service areas page shows where we work.