For property owners located in North Houston, the climate and soil conditions present can put additional pressures on septic tank performance. This includes areas like The Woodlands, Spring, Tomball, Conroe and the Cypress area.
In general, the wetter the climate, the harder it is for septic tanks to drain efficiently. And Houston is one of the wettest cities in the nation. Further, some types of soil interfere with septic tank drainage and can place additional strain on the tank. This includes the clay-rich soils that are present throughout North Houston.
For a typical property, owners should expect to pump their septic tank every 3-5 years, depending on how heavily the system is utilized. However, in North Houston property owners should plan on pumping their septic tank every 2-3 years, given the additional pressures placed on the system due to climate and soil conditions.
Why Do Property Owners in North Houston Need to Pump Their Septic Tanks More Often?
As mentioned, Houston’s climate and soil conditions mean that property owners in North Houston must pump their septic tanks more often. Here’s how those climate and soil conditions influence septic tank performance and why more frequent pump outs are needed:
- Heavy rains swamp leach fields and slow drainage – Heavy rainfall regularly drenches the Houston area, and when it does, it can oversaturate drain fields. That makes it difficult for the septic tank to move treated effluent into the drain field. Heavily saturated soils can also exert pressure on the septic tank and cause effluent to back up into the tank.
- Clay soils don’t absorb treated effluent as efficiently – Drainage issues in North Houston are compounded by the presence of clay-rich soils, as clay isn’t as porous as other types of soil and therefore doesn’t uptake drainage as readily. On properties where clay-rich soils are present, heavy rainfall can cause water to pool rapidly and drain slowly, resulting in extended issues for the septic tank as it attempts to move effluent into the drain field.
- A high water table limits septic tank installation options – Houston’s proximity to sea level and soil composition also means a high water table, which poses its own problems for property owners. A high water table limits where a septic tank can be installed, and the depth to which it can be installed. It’s this reason why many Houston properties feature an aerobic treatment system instead of a traditional septic tank. It also means property owners may have to get by with a smaller septic tank, which increases the chances of solid effluent buildups inside the tank.
Climate and soil factors primarily affect the septic system’s drain field, reducing drainage efficiency and placing additional strain on the tank’s capacity to handle solids. This can cause solid effluent to build up inside the tank at a faster rate than the typical system. The only sure way to mitigate this additional strain is to pump the septic tank regularly and remove solid effluent buildup.
What Are Some Signs That a North Houston Septic Tank Needs to be Pumped Out?
As solid effluent builds up inside the septic tank, your septic system will show signs of distress. It’s important to respond to those signs as soon as they emerge, which may include:
- Slow drainage at multiple drains inside the building – If a single sink, toilet or tub is slow to drain inside the building, this is usually due to a local clog. However, if multiple drains are showing the same problem, it could be a septic tank issue.
- Gurgling or bubbling sounds during draining – If wastewater can’t enter the septic tank efficiently, it may trap air in the system in the process, resulting in drains that gurgle or bubble as water enters the system. Excessive solid buildup inside the septic tank can cause this issue.
- Sewage odors inside the building or near the septic tank outside – This is a major sign that the septic tank is stressed. Sewage odors inside the building suggest a total clog is forming, or that solids in the tank are reaching critical levels. If you detect foul odors around the drains or close to the septic tank outside, a prompt inspection is recommended.
- Water is pooling outside in the drain field or around the septic tank – If wastewater is escaping from the septic tank, it may pool around the tank. It may also cause an explosion of lush vegetation growth around the tank. If either is present, it could mean that there’s too much solid waste in the system.
- Sewage is backing up into the building – If sewage is backing up into the building, it’s an extreme sign that there is something wrong with the septic system. In many cases, this is due to critical solid effluent levels.
- It’s been several years since the septic tank has been pumped – Even if your septic tank isn’t showing signs of distress, it’s unwise to wait until it does if it’s been several years since the system has been inspected. If it’s been more than three years since the tank was pumped, call a reputable Houston septic system expert to get it checked out.
Pump Your Septic Tank on Time to Avoid a Catastrophic Failure
Septic tank pumping is a basic form of septic system maintenance that property owners in North Houston should stay on time with. It’s the surest way to avoid septic tank clogs, ruptures and other major system failures. Septic professionals are experienced in tank pumping and can get the job done efficiently and thoroughly. While pumping the septic tank, your septic technician can assess the system’s overall health, investigate any concerning signs of distress and perform other important elements of preventative maintenance.
North Houston property owners need to stay on top of their septic system maintenance, as the city’s climate and clay-rich soils are more likely to cause solid waste to back up into the septic tank. If it’s been a while since your septic tank has been pumped out, schedule an inspection with a trusted septic system company and have it checked out.
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