Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to the questions we hear most from aerobic septic owners in Tomball, Magnolia, Conroe, Spring, Cypress, Willis and Montgomery.
Is a maintenance contract required for an aerobic septic system in Texas?
Yes. Every new aerobic system in Texas comes with a two-year initial service policy, and after that the owner must either sign a new maintenance contract with a licensed maintenance provider or, where the county allows it, maintain the system themselves.
These rules come from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) under 30 TAC Chapter 285. A copy of each signed contract has to be sent to your county's permitting authority at least 30 days before the current one expires. Harris County says failing to submit a contract can lead to misdemeanor charges in Justice of the Peace court.
How often does my aerobic septic system need to be inspected?
In most of Texas, a licensed provider must inspect and report on an aerobic system at least once every four months (three times a year). In Harris County, residential aerobic systems must be inspected at least once every three months (four times a year).
Each report must be filed with the county and the owner within 14 days of the visit. That's why Greywater visits every four months in Montgomery, Waller and Grimes counties and every three months in Harris County, including Tomball, Spring and Cypress addresses in Harris County.
What does a red or yellow light on my control panel mean?
A red or yellow light (or a buzzing alarm) means the system has detected a problem, most often a high water level or low air pressure.
High water can come from a failed water pump, clogged spray heads or filters, or more water going in than the system can handle. Low air usually points to a broken air pump, a broken air line, or a low water level in the aeration chamber. Until it's checked, cut back on water use (laundry, long showers, dishwasher), then call us at (832) 530-5945.
How often should an aerobic septic system be pumped?
On average, the entire system should be pumped about every 5 years.
The right interval for your home depends on household water usage, the number of occupants, and household habits. Heavy use of a garbage disposal, grease down the drain, or a full house can mean pumping sooner. Greywater doesn't pump tanks ourselves, but we're happy to recommend a pumping company we trust.
Why does my aerobic septic system smell?
A healthy aerobic system should have little to no sewage odor, so a bad smell usually means the system isn't getting enough air or is overloaded.
Common causes include a failed or weak air pump, clogged air diffusers, an empty chlorinator, or too much grease, food waste, harsh cleaners or water going down the drains. We can check the air pump, air lines and diffusers and tell you what's causing it.
What's included in a Greywater maintenance visit?
A licensed technician inspects your complete aerobic system and leaves a written maintenance report. We clean the filters, set the timers, check sludge levels, test the floats, and check the control panel, spray heads, air pump, chlorinator and alarms.
Our technicians wear labeled Greywater work shirts and knock on your front door when they arrive. Each visit is recorded on the Greywater maintenance tag at your control panel. We never make repairs without your approval. If something needs fixing, it's written on your report and we'll go over it with you. Once you approve, our stocked trucks can usually make the repair right away.
Which aerobic septic brands do you service?
Most major brands, including AquaKlear, Aqua Safe, Cajun Aire, Clearstream, Delta Whitewater, Hoot, Hydro Action, Pro Flo and Southern. If yours isn't listed, call us. We work on many other systems too.
Do I need an aerobic septic inspection when buying a home?
We strongly recommend one. Problems aren't always visible, and the system's permit transfers to you as the new owner.
We pull the installation drawing from the county, check the spray heads' location, type and number against it, and inspect all electrical components, pumps, filters and lines. If the home is sold during the system's initial two-year service policy, that policy carries over to the new owner. Otherwise, plan to sign a maintenance contract right after closing.
What causes an aerobic septic air pump to fail?
Most failures happen when the rubber diaphragms inside a linear air pump tear, or when clogged diffusers make the pump work too hard.
On a linear pump, a safety screw is designed to break when the diaphragms tear, shutting the pump down before the motor is damaged. Then the pump can usually be rebuilt instead of replaced. Greywater rebuilds and replaces air compressors and replaces diffusers.
Do you offer same-day or emergency repairs?
In most cases, yes. Depending on our schedule we can have a technician out the same day, if not the very next day. Our technicians can repair your system on the first visit as we carry 95% of the parts needed on our trucks. We do take emergency calls on some Saturdays if we have a technician on call.
Regular hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Can I maintain my own aerobic septic system in Texas?
Sometimes. State rules let the owner of a single-family home maintain their own system after the initial two-year policy ends, but many counties restrict or prohibit this, so check with your county first.
Self-maintenance is never allowed for commercial, multifamily or speculative residential property. Whoever maintains the system, keep the chlorinator stocked with calcium hypochlorite tablets labeled for wastewater disinfection. Never use swimming pool tablets, which TCEQ warns don't disinfect properly and can release an explosive gas.
Red light on? Contract up for renewal?
Call Greywater and talk to the people who'll actually be on your property. Monday to Friday, 8 to 5, usually same day or next day.