Septic pumping
Pumping the system proactively prevents clogging, backups, and malfunctions, and sustains the quality of treated effluent for a healthier environment. It ensures optimal functioning of sprinklers without blockages and promotes the longevity of essential components such as pumps and aerator compressors.
Aerobic septic tanks should undergo cleaning every three to five years, sooner if sludge levels in the pump tank exceed 8 to 12 inches, or if malfunctions occur due to clogging. Another reason is a heavy build-up of fats, oils, and grease (FOG) in the trash tank. Ask your septic provider if your system is in need of being pumped.
Same or next-day scheduling is available in most cases. Reach out and we’ll accommodate your needs.
We recommend your presence for insights into your system’s condition and maintenance suggestions, but it is not required for service.
Our comprehensive septic pumping includes:
- Thorough emptying of all tank compartments, leaving no area untouched.
- Back-flushing to eliminate sludge and residue.
- Pumping every tank, including the trash tank. All tanks need to be pumped to get the maximum benefit from the service.
- Digging up buried ports if needed, for an additional charge.
Installation & replacement
Ledford Services installs over 1,000 septic systems a year. We offer state-of-the-art Aeris aerobic systems, as well as conventional and commercial systems.
- Give us a call and we can send you the application for your regulatory authority.
- Once your application is filled out, we take a $500 deposit (only required if this is the first system we sold you; commercial systems have different requirements) and connect you with your engineer to design a system that fits your needs.
- The engineer sends your design to be approved by you or your builder, after which we apply for a permit with your regulatory authority.
- Once the application is processed and we have authorization to construct, we schedule the installation.
- Before installation, we call 811 to locate the area so utilities can be marked.
- On installation day we ask that the homeowner or a representative be present for placement of the tank; spray heads must go where they are permitted. An inspector from the county or regulatory authority signs off on the final inspection allowing use of the system, after which full payment is due within 15 days.
Replacing a worn-out system on a home you already live in follows the same permitted process as a new install, and the permit is usually the longest part of the timeline.
- Call the office. We come out, look at the existing system, and tell you honestly whether it can be repaired or whether it has reached the end of its life.
- If it needs to be replaced, we send you the application for your regulatory authority.
- Once your application is filled out, we take a $500 deposit (only required if this is the first system we sold you) and connect you with your engineer to design a system that fits your property and household.
- You approve the design, and we apply for a permit with your regulatory authority. This step is set by the state and county, not by us, and it is normally what determines your start date.
- Once the permit is issued and we have authorization to construct, we schedule the installation and call 811 so utilities can be marked.
- On installation day we ask that you or a representative be present for placement of the tank; spray heads must go where they are permitted. The old system is handled according to your regulatory authority’s requirements.
- An inspector from the county or regulatory authority signs off on the final inspection allowing use of the system, after which full payment is due within 15 days.
- If your new system is aerobic, state rules require an active inspection contract. We can set that up so you stay compliant from day one.
Maintenance & repair
Most of the service calls we run could have been avoided with a few simple habits:
- Keep your inspection contract active. TCEQ requires one on an aerobic system, and it covers your scheduled visits.
- Have the tank pumped every three to five years, sooner if sludge in the pump tank exceeds 8 to 12 inches.
- Keep fats, oils, and grease out of the drains. FOG build-up in the trash tank is one of the most common reasons a system needs pumping early.
- Flush toilet paper only. Wipes, even the ones labeled flushable, and hygiene products do not break down.
- Listen for the aerator. It should run continuously. If it goes quiet, or an alarm is going off, call the office.
- Keep sprinkler heads clear of tall grass and mulch, and keep vehicles off the tank and spray field.
- Keep the chlorinator supplied and do not let it run empty.
- Spread laundry across the week instead of running many loads in one day.
- Call before you build. A slab, pool, or driveway placed over any part of the system is expensive to undo.
Enhanced convenience for maintenance tasks without the need for yard excavation. Secured lids provide safety for homeowners and their families. Sealed risers prevent unwanted water infiltration and are certified NSF-approved for use.
It depends on whether the repair changes the permitted design of your system. Swapping a pump, compressor, control box, or filter is a parts repair and can usually be scheduled quickly. Moving a spray line, or anything else that changes how the system is laid out, requires a new design to be approved and a permit issued by your regulatory authority before we can put a machine in the ground. That approval timeline is set by the state and county, not by us, which is why one repair can happen in a day and another takes weeks. We will tell you up front which kind of repair yours is so you know what to expect.
Know your system
An aerobic system typically features sprinklers and an aerator pumping air. Unsure? Contact Ledford Services for expert assistance.
Normal water levels in your septic tank return promptly after pumping. Any water above the outlet line indicates an issue requiring professional attention.
Still have questions?
Call the office and we'll talk you through it, no pressure, no obligation.