Septic Service in Lindale
CM Environmental has been committed to serving our neighbors in Lindale and the rest of East Texas for more than 50 wonderful years. Our locally-owned, locally-operated septic service has become a staple in the community, and our well-established business is best known for our superior workmanship and service. When you trust our third-generation family business with your business, you’ll get to meet the most dependable, knowledgeable, friendly, and professional septic professionals in town. Our steadfast dedication focuses on upholding our unmatched customer satisfaction ratings and continuing to deliver stellar service time and time again. For residential or commercial septic jobs of any scale, reach out to CM Environmental today!
Septic Tank Maintenance Services
How can I keep my septic system in tip-top shape?
Monitor your septic system. Take a proactive approach to septic system maintenance by either installing smart sensors or keeping an eye out for common indicators of a problem, such as slow drains, gurgling sounds, backups, odors, or standing water in the drain field. Identifying and addressing these issues promptly is key.
Use septic-safe cleaners. Enhance septic tank health in both residential and commercial settings by choosing biodegradable and natural cleaning products. These options play a key role in maintaining the vital bacteria within the tank, preventing bacterial disruption and potential backups.
Protect the drain field. Avoid planting vegetables, shrubs, trees, and other plants, and ensure proper surface drainage away from the field and system. Steer clear of sprinkler systems, retaining walls, and heavy or permanent objects like swing sets, sheds, or parked vehicles.
Refrain from planting shrubs, vegetables, trees, or other greenery, and establish proper surface drainage away from system and field. Avoid constructing retaining walls, installing sprinkler systems, or placing permanent or heavy fixtures in the area, like sheds, vehicles, or swing sets.
Be mindful of water efficiency. With all household drain water ultimately reaching your septic system, its connection to water usage is undeniable. Practicing water conservation minimizes the amount of water entering the system, optimizing septic efficiency and mitigating the risk of issues.
Keep plants, gardens, and trees away from every part of the septic system. You should only plant grass around the drain field. Refrain from planting in the septic tank area, leach field, and near other components like the piping areas and distribution box to prevent interference in the event that your septic company needs to excavate for repair or troubleshooting purposes.
Learn about the material your septic tank is made from. The materials typically used for septic tanks typically include steel, concrete, fiberglass, and plastic. Each material has unique features, which bring their own challenges and advantages. Having a thorough understanding of this information enhances your ability to spot emerging problems.
Schedule routine septic tank pumping. Normally, household septic tanks should undergo pumping every three to five years – although there are some exceptions. The buildup of sludge and scum and sludge in your tank is determined by factors like the size of your home or building, the frequency of system use, and the capacity of your septic tank.
Don’t flush inappropriate items. We’ll address this in more detail later, but it’s crucial to understand that certain items should not be flushed down the toilet due to the potential harm they can cause to your septic system. To mitigate possible repair expenses, practice awareness and only flush human waste and toilet paper.
Familiarize yourself with the location of your septic tank. Incorporate this information into your maintenance strategy to continually prevent potential issues. Avoid cultivating vegetable gardens or landscaping over the drainage pipes. Plants grown in or near sewage effluent should not be consumed. Your Lindale septic service recommends limiting plantings in the leach field to grass for optimal system functionality.
What are the pros and cons of each septic tank material?
Concrete septic tanks are highly durable, resistant to the environment, and long-lasting, but they have downsides like being challenging to repair and install, expensive, and susceptible to corrosion.
Fiberglass septic tanks, known for their lightweight and easy installation, may present challenges of shifting in wet soil conditions.
Steel septic tanks are renowned for their resilience and longevity, yet they come with a higher cost and an estimated lifespan of about 25 years because of their vulnerability to rust.
Plastic septic tanks are known for being corrosion-proof, affordable, easy to install, and crack-resistant. Despite these advantages, they require more maintenance, have a shorter lifespan than some alternatives, are environmentally sensitive, and can be damaged.
What are the different types of septic systems and how do they differ from one another?
Conventional Gravity Systems
Widely installed by local septic services, gravity-fed systems are favored for their simplicity, uncomplicated installation, and low maintenance. These systems have been in use since the late 1800s, and they use gravity to transfer waste from single-family homes or small businesses. They consist of three essential components: a septic tank, a drain field, and the soil under the drain field.
In gravity-fed systems, septic tanks are decentralized and kept separate from structures. They accept effluent through gravity flow, filter it, and subsequently disperse it to the drain field. These systems mandate at least three feet of subsurface soil beneath the leach field for treatment and frequently utilize polyethylene plastic septic tanks. If our septic service advises against opting for a gravity-fed system on your property, it’s likely due to factors such as a high groundwater table, elevated bedrock, or limited land space.
Pressurized Systems
Pressure distribution systems, also referred to as chamber or gravel-less systems, bear a resemblance to conventional gravity systems, but vary in the design of the drain field. Long-channel drainage chambers, rather than stone-lined leach fields, characterize these systems. These chambers receive wastewater from the septic tank, disperse it along the chamber’s bottom into the soil, and contribute to waste breakdown through soil microbes. Trusted Lindale septic companies often advocate for them in cases of specific soil conditions, variable septic influent volumes, limited access to native soil, or when cost-efficiency is prioritized.
Proprietary Systems
Bio-Filters
Within the realm of septic solutions, bio-filters are known as sustainable systems blending biological treatment with physical wastewater filtration. Suited for environmentally delicate areas, modest lots, remote settings, and challenging soil conditions like high bedrock or water tables, these systems act as frontline treatment barriers before releasing treated wastewater into the environment. Their installation is streamlined, requiring only about a foot of soil. They emphasize both cutting-edge technology and efficiency.
Aerobic Treatment Units (ATUs)
Aerobic Treatment Unit (ATU) septic tank systems mirror the functionalities of small-scale municipal sewage treatment plants. Unlike systems relying on anaerobic microbes, ATUs employ aerobic microbes to facilitate waste breakdown. The introduction of oxygen to the septic tank, facilitated by an electric pump, provides an environment conducive to the flourishing of aerobic microbes. These systems are preferred in areas with restricted access, close proximity to surface water, or soil conditions unsuitable for traditional septic systems. Maintenance is a regular requirement, and 12 to 18 inches of suitable soil are needed.
Alternative Systems
Sand Filter Systems
Sand filter septic tank systems utilize a process where wastewater effluent undergoes treatment and re-circulation before being released into the subsurface soil. These systems, whether situated above ground or underground, include a PVC- or concrete-lined box functioning as a sewage breakdown filter filled with sand and stone. An integral aspect involves a pump distributing the effluent to the filter box, guiding it through the sand and collecting it via pipes in the underlying stone layer. The treated wastewater can undergo re-circulation and further treatment or be directed to the subsurface soil. Functioning efficiently in areas with shallow groundwater, these systems necessitate only 18 inches of suitable soil. Nevertheless, they come with higher costs, requiring electricity and a pump, and demanding more intensive maintenance compared to conventional systems.
Mound Systems
Mound septic tank systems feature a human-made mound constructed with gravel, sand, and a minimum of six inches of soil, serving as a substitute for the traditional drain field. If your property proves challenging for standard systems due to factors like near-surface bedrock, shallow groundwater, or shallow soil, our Lindale septic service might recommend this alternative. Typically employing anaerobic septic tanks equipped with outflow pumps for wastewater transport to the mound, these systems entail the pumping of effluent to the gravel layer of the mound. From there, wastewater permeates through piping pores into the sand layer, functioning as both a soil buffer and a filter. The necessity for regular inspections and maintenance visits makes the decision to adopt these systems one that requires careful consideration by our septic service.
What are the dos and don’ts of septic tank ownership?
Do…
Use a drain catcher in your sink to prevent excessive food from entering the drain or disposal
Use your garbage disposal sparingly
Ask your septic maintenance professional to install baffle screens
Avoid bleach or use it sparingly
Only wash full loads of laundry and space out your loads – one daily load (vs. multiple loads once a week) is much easier on your septic system
Use high-efficiency washers and install high-efficiency toilets
Don’t…
Pour chemicals, paint thinner, oil, or paint down any household drain
Put meat, bones, fruit pits or peels, eggshells, nuts, onion skins, pasta, oats, soil, fats, coffee grounds, or non-food items into your garbage disposal
Flush garbage, pet waste, wipes, feminine products, or kitty litter
Use harsh cleaning products
Flush unused medication
Septic Tank Installation Services
What is a D-box and what purpose does it serve?
Distribution boxes, commonly known as D-boxes, have a crucial role in the septic system as they receive effluent from the septic tank and distribute it evenly to the pipes and drain field. The size and shape of the box are determined by the dimensions of the septic system. Whether crafted from plastic or concrete, these boxes incorporate multiple openings to facilitate smooth flow. Regular septic system maintenance involves a comprehensive inspection of the D-box to verify its optimal condition, with an anticipated lifespan of around 20 years, barring any unforeseen issues.
What are leach fields?
Leach fields, also known as leach beds or drain fields, function as soil absorption systems specifically designed for septic tanks. Concealed below the ground’s surface, these fields consist of trenches filled with gravel or sand, incorporating pipes for the distribution and percolation of wastewater back into the soil. The key purpose of these fields is to purify effluent water, preventing any potential ground contamination. Natural bacteria within the system actively filter and cleanse the wastewater, allowing the water to infiltrate deeper into the ground, undergo soil filtration, and seamlessly integrate into the environment.
What steps are involved in septic system installation?
Choose the correct system size and type to meet the current and future needs of the commercial or residential property.
Every step of the septic system selection process is supported by our attentive septic service. We’ll guide you in choosing the most fitting pump type, typically leaning towards turbine or centrifugal options, and selecting the right tank type based on your soil composition. Furthermore, we’ll work with you to determine the optimal septic tank size, factoring in considerations such as property size, the number of employees or residents using the system, and the number of bathrooms and bedrooms. In contrast to some Lindale septic companies that might make suggestions without explaining their sound reasoning, our experienced professionals ensure that our customers are fully informed about each decision and the rationale behind our suggestions.
Obtain all required permits.
In most areas, conducting soil testing and obtaining a permit are crucial steps for new septic tank construction. When you decide on CM Environmental for your septic tank installation, we manage all the legal requirements for you. Our proficiency in legal procedures, local regulations, and potential challenges in this phase ensures a smooth start to your project.
Local health departments play a role in issuing discharge authorizations for septic systems. For the completion of a septic system installation, your septic specialist needs to submit a waste discharge report and secure this crucial authorization. Since septic systems demand approval from health or environmental departments, we will oversee the submission of a septic design plan, site plan, and all required permits and forms. In Texas, the TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, comparable to the EPA) requires septic companies to obtain a permit for a new installation, and we’ll also take care of the paperwork for this process as well.
The process of soil testing involves various steps. A percolation test necessitates the excavation of multiple holes, spaced approximately 30 to 40 feet apart, to assess subsurface water flow. The examination of soil classification, color, and texture – along with absorption testing – provides critical information for determining septic system placement and feasibility.
Choose the right location.
Selecting the right site for a new septic tank installation is critical. We’ll confirm efficient soil drainage for the drain field, adhere to guidelines, such as maintaining a minimum 10-foot distance from structures but not exceeding 85 feet, and avoid interference with underground utilities. Maintaining a specific distance from bodies of water is imperative for septic systems. Rely on our septic tank installation service to determine the perfect location for your new system.
Excavate the area and install the new septic tank.
Once we’ve pinpointed the optimal location, our septic tank installation crew commences excavation. Utilizing heavy machinery, we dig a hole for the tank, and trenches are carefully excavated for drain pipes in the drain field. These trenches are filled with gravel and/or sand to facilitate soil absorption and water dispersion. Your system is then installed with attention to detail and careful precision.
Complete installation of inlet pipes, outlet pipes, and baffles.
Outlet pipes transport settled effluent (liquid sewage) to the drain field, while wastewater enters the septic tank through inlet pipes. Baffles, whether concrete divider wall baffles (common in older tanks) or sanitary tees, are essential features. Outlet pipes, positioned approximately 3 inches below the inlet pipes, are also vital components. Inside the septic tank, waste undergoes natural separation into three layers: scum, sludge, and water.
Baffles are instrumental in guiding the flow of wastewater within the tank, effectively containing scum and sludge. Inlet baffles serve a dual function, preventing scum accumulation and backflow, allowing solids to settle, and minimizing tank disturbance. They also act as a protective barrier against sewer gases, preventing their entry into buildings through the sewer line. Outlet baffles, conversely, ensure that solids and scum are kept away from the outlet pipe and drain field. Tees are strategically installed to prevent baffle failure by directing waste downward and allowing the venting of sewer gases.
Install the drain field.
Following the identification of the optimal location in step 3, the subsequent phase includes soil testing to ensure proper liquid drainage. Once the soil successfully meets testing standards, our experts will commence trench excavation for the installation of drainage pipes. These trenches will be loaded with gravel, and drainage piping will be laid on top, incorporating geotextile to avoid soil blockage.
Connect the new septic system to the electrical system.
In non-gravity-fed septic systems, we introduce an electric pump into the tank to facilitate water removal. Our Texas septic services cover septic wiring, which may include the installation of wiring for septic controls. These controls are configured to trigger the pump when water reaches a specific depth, utilizing a float switch set to a predetermined position. Our weatherproof wiring is compliant with all essential electrical codes.
Backfill and cover the septic tank.
The backfilling process is a pivotal step that demands strict adherence to specific guidelines. These guidelines include maintaining consistency in compacted layers under 24 inches in thickness, utilizing 6 to 12-inch thick layers beneath the tank’s haunch, ensuring the even distribution of fill around the tank without debris or large stones, and ensuring proper compaction. Incorrect backfilling has the potential to cause concrete tanks to float, presenting a significant challenge. Preemptive measures involve filling the tank with water, placing soil on top with precision, and thorough tamping. Throughout this process, we vigilantly monitor the tank’s water tightness and minimize any movement in the outlet pipe.
A comprehensive (and important) septic system inspection will take place.
Throughout the inspection, the tank’s alignment is closely assessed, and the D-box and linked pipes are examined for proper installation and condition. The inspector also ensures the accurate number of chambers in each trench. A favorable inspection result is vital for CM Environmental to recognize the job as effectively executed.
Work with your septic service to plan for long-term maintenance.
Included in our array of septic system services are installation, repair, and ongoing maintenance. We collaborate closely with you to design a personalized maintenance schedule, taking into consideration the specifics of your system type, water usage patterns, and leach field dimensions. Regular maintenance serves as a preventive strategy, averting intricate repairs and expensive issues.
