Our services
Septic and aerobic services for Hill Country homes
Pumping, maintenance contracts, repairs, inspections, drain fields, risers and new systems for homes outside city sewer in Dripping Springs and the western Hill Country.
One system, many parts
Hill Country Septic Service works on residential septic systems in Dripping Springs, Driftwood, Wimberley and the hills west of Austin. Our services fall into three groups. Routine care keeps a working system healthy. Repairs fix what has stopped working. New systems cover installs and full replacements. Each service has its own page that explains how the work is done, what affects the cost and what to watch for on your property.
The ground here shapes all of it. Many lots have only a thin layer of rocky soil over limestone or caliche, and some sit on steep slopes that drain toward creeks like Onion Creek, Barton Creek and the Blanco River. That is why so many homes in Hays, western Travis and Blanco Counties use aerobic treatment units with spray or drip dispersal. Those systems handle rocky ground well, but they have an air pump, floats, timers, alarms and a chlorinator that all need attention.
We work on both aerobic and conventional systems. If you are not sure which one you have, look for spray heads in the yard and a control panel on the house or a post. If you see those, it is aerobic. If you only have tank lids and a grassy field, it is likely conventional. Either way, we will help you figure out what you have and what it needs.
Routine care
Most septic trouble in the Hill Country starts small and goes unnoticed for months. Regular pumping, aerobic maintenance visits and a good inspection catch rising sludge, a weak air pump or a dry chlorinator before it turns into a backup. Risers and lids make each of those visits faster, because nobody has to dig through rocky ground to find the tank.
Septic Tank Pumping
Routine septic tank pumping for Hill Country homes, with clear explanations of what comes out, how often to schedule it and why it matters.
Septic tank pumping removes the sludge and scum that build up inside your tank so solids never reach your drain field. We pump conventional and aerobic systems across the western Austin Hill Country and explain what we find in your tank as we go.
Septic Tank Pumping detailsAerobic Septic Maintenance
Routine aerobic septic maintenance that keeps your system running and your paperwork in order, from inspections to reports and tag updates.
Aerobic systems in Texas need regular care from a licensed maintenance provider. We explain how maintenance contracts work, what happens at each visit and how to keep your spray or drip system in line with your county's rules.
Aerobic Septic Maintenance detailsSeptic Inspections
Septic inspections for home buyers, sellers and owners, with a clear look at tanks, baffles, drain fields and aerobic components.
A septic inspection shows you the real condition of the system before you buy, sell or refinance. We check the tank, the baffles, the field or spray area and the controls, then explain the results in plain language.
Septic Inspections detailsSeptic Risers & Lids
We install and replace septic risers and secure lids so your tank is easy to reach, safe to cover and ready for service.
A riser brings your septic tank opening up to ground level so it can be found, pumped and inspected without digging. We install, replace and secure risers and lids to meet Texas safety rules, which protects people, pets and your wallet.
Septic Risers & Lids detailsRepairs
When something stops working, the goal is to find the real cause and fix that part, not guess. Aerobic units fail in different ways than conventional tanks, and a soggy spray area or drain field can have several causes. These pages explain what we check, what usually goes wrong on Hill Country properties and what to do while you wait if sewage is backing up.
Aerobic Septic Repair
Diagnosis and repair of aerobic septic systems, including air pumps, alarms, spray heads, control panels and disinfection units.
When an aerobic system alarm sounds or the spray field looks wrong, quick repair protects your yard and your permit. We diagnose the cause first, explain it in plain terms and fix what actually needs fixing.
Aerobic Septic Repair detailsSeptic System Repair
Septic system repair for tanks, baffles, pipes, filters and lids, with honest diagnosis and clear options before any work begins.
Septic problems rarely fix themselves. We find the actual cause of backups, odors and slow drains, explain your repair options and handle the work, from broken pipes to damaged baffles.
Septic System Repair detailsDrain Field Repair & Replacement
We diagnose failing drain fields and spray or drip areas, then repair or replace them to suit your Hill Country soil.
A failing drain field leaves wastewater with nowhere to go, and in thin Hill Country soil that can happen faster than you expect. We find out why the field is struggling, explain your repair and replacement options in plain language, and help you through the permit steps that come with bigger fixes.
Drain Field Repair & Replacement detailsEmergency Septic Service
When a septic backup, alarm or overflow cannot wait, we help you make the situation safe and get to the real cause.
Sewage in the house or yard is a health problem, not just an inconvenience. This page explains what counts as a septic emergency, the safe first steps you can take, and how we find the cause and make the repair, including the county notice that emergency work may require.
Emergency Septic Service detailsNew systems
Building a home on acreage, adding a bedroom or replacing a system that has reached the end of its life all mean a new permit and a design that fits the site. On thin soil over limestone, that design is often an aerobic unit with spray or drip dispersal. The installation page walks through site evaluation, permits and what affects the cost.
Match what you see to the right service
You do not need to know the right name for the job before you call. Find the line that sounds most like your situation and start with that page. If more than one fits, that is common, and we sort it out on the visit.
- It has been years since anyone opened the tank Septic tank pumping
- You have spray heads and a control panel, and your contract is up for renewal Aerobic septic maintenance
- The aerobic alarm is on or the air pump is silent Aerobic septic repair
- You are buying or selling a home with septic Septic inspections
- Drains are slow, pipes are cracked or a baffle has failed Septic system repair
- The yard stays soggy or smells over the field Drain field repair
- Sewage is coming up into tubs, showers or floor drains Emergency septic service
- Your tank lids are buried and hard to find Septic risers and lids
- You are building on raw land or replacing an old system Septic system installation
What to expect from any service visit
Every job starts with finding the system. On many older properties the lids are buried under a few inches of soil or rock, and no one is sure where the tank sits. We locate the tank, the aerobic unit if there is one, the control panel and the field or spray area. Then we do the work the visit calls for, whether that is pumping, testing parts or tracking down a leak.
When we finish, we explain what we found in plain language. You will hear what is working, what is worn and what can wait. If something needs repair, we lay out the options so you can decide. For aerobic systems under a maintenance contract, the visit is recorded so the paperwork stays in order with your permitting office.
Permits are part of some jobs. New systems, major repairs and many field replacements need approval from the local permitting office. In most of Hays County that is Hays County Development Services, and in unincorporated Travis County it is Travis County Transportation and Natural Resources. Other areas have their own offices. Our service areas page explains who handles permits in each part of the region.
Choosing the right service
These are the questions Dripping Springs and Hill Country homeowners ask most when they are not sure what their system needs.
Full FAQHow do I know if I need pumping or a repair?
Pumping removes the sludge and scum that build up in the tank over time. It solves problems caused by a full tank, like slow drains across the whole house. It will not fix a broken pipe, a failed pump, a cracked tank or a worn-out field. If the problem comes back soon after pumping, or the tank was pumped recently and you still have trouble, something else is wrong and the system needs a closer look.
My aerobic alarm is going off. Is that an emergency?
Usually not right away, but do not ignore it. Most alarms mean the air pump has stopped or the water in the pump tank is too high. Check the breaker and cut back on water use, especially laundry. If the alarm clears and stays off, keep an eye on it. If it comes back, or you hear gurgling and see slow drains, call for aerobic repair. If sewage is coming into the house, treat it as an emergency.
Do I need an inspection before buying a home with septic?
It is a very good idea, and some lenders require one. A septic inspection looks at the tank, the pipes, the dispersal area and, for aerobic systems, the air pump, alarms, floats and chlorinator. It also helps to check the permit records with the county. Try to schedule it early in your option period so there is time to pump the tank, review the findings and ask the seller about repairs.
Is a maintenance contract the same as pumping?
No. A maintenance contract for an aerobic system covers regular inspection visits by a licensed maintenance provider. The provider checks the air pump, alarms, timers, spray heads and chlorine and reports to the permitting office as required. Pumping is a separate job that removes solids from the tanks. Many contracts note when sludge levels are high so you know pumping is due, but the pumping itself is usually billed on its own.
When does a system need to be replaced instead of repaired?
Most parts of a septic system can be repaired: pumps, floats, pipes, lids, spray heads and even sections of a field. Replacement makes sense when the tank itself is failing, the field is saturated and cannot recover, or the system is too small for the house as it is used today. Adding bedrooms or a guest house can also trigger a new permit. We explain the repair and replacement options so you can compare them.
Need septic service in the Hill Country?
Call or send a request. We will ask a few questions about your system and the property, then schedule a visit.