How often should I pump my septic tank?

Pumping frequency depends on household size and tank size. Typically, every 3 to 5 years is recommended to avoid backups. Consult with us for tailored advice based on your system.

What are the signs of a failing system?

Signs include slow drains, gurgling sounds, and foul odors near the drain field. If you notice these issues, it’s crucial to contact us for an inspection as soon as possible.

Can I pour grease down the drain?

No, pouring grease down the drain is harmful to your septic system. It can solidify and clog pipes, causing a backup. Dispose of grease properly in the trash instead. It can also increase the frequency with which you have to pump your system.

What can I plant over my septic field?

Select grass, clover, or other shallow-rooted plants for your drain field. Avoid deep-rooted trees or shrubs which can damage the system.

How long does a septic system last?

With proper maintenance, a septic system can last 20 to 30 years. Regular inspections and pumping help extend its lifespan.

What should I do in case of a backup?

If you experience a backup, stop using water fixtures immediately and contact us right away to avoid further damage.

Septic Remote Monitoring Plans in South Texas

Septic iQ’s monitoring plans pair 24/7 remote system monitoring with your choice of scheduled maintenance visits. Every plan runs month to month with no annual contract, and every plan includes Septilink monitoring from day one.

What These Plans Are

Think of it as a standing arrangement that gives you real peace of mind about your septic system, with 24/7 monitoring running in the background, your maintenance schedule handled, and a licensed team watching for problems before they find you. Septilink runs continuously in the background, tracking your system’s performance and alerting our office when something needs attention. Depending on the plan you choose, that monitoring comes with scheduled technician visits built in.

There are no cancellation penalties. If you need to adjust your plan or cancel, reach out to our membership team and we’ll take care of it. If you’d like to learn more about what SeptiLink monitors and how it works before choosing a plan, you can read about it here.

Choose Your Plan

Basic

$30/mo

24/7 Septilink remote monitoring with real-time alerts to our office and optionally your phone. No scheduled maintenance visits or discounts on repairs are included in this tier, but the advantages of 24/7 remote monitoring are, as well as a 20% discount on service calls. A good fit for homeowners on a budget, vacation home septic systems, or systems that don't see as much regular use.

Available in Victoria, Calhoun, De Witt, Lavaca, Jackson, Refugio, Gonzales, Bee, and Karnes counties for single-family, non-commercial systems without a variance.

Regular

$40/mo

Everything in Basic, plus one scheduled maintenance visit per year and a 5% discount on repairs. A solid entry point if you want at least one annual checkup built into your plan.

Available in Victoria, Calhoun, De Witt, Lavaca, Jackson, Refugio, Gonzales, Bee, Karnes, and Goliad counties for single-family, non-commercial systems without a variance.

Commercial Plans

Septic iQ’s commercial monitoring plans include 24/7 process monitoring, scheduled maintenance visits, and an annual BOD/TSS test. The goal on the commercial side is straightforward: keep your system running so septic problems never slow your operation down, and keep you fully covered under county and state maintenance requirements so you’re never dealing with compliance issues on top of everything else you’re managing.

Recommended

Advanced

$65.50/mo

24/7 Septilink remote monitoring, two scheduled maintenance visits per year, and one annual BOD/TSS test included. This is our recommendation for most commercial systems.

Available in Victoria, Calhoun, De Witt, Lavaca, Jackson, Refugio, Gonzales, Bee, Karnes, Goliad, and Matagorda counties.

Elite

$78.50/mo

Everything in Advanced, plus a third scheduled maintenance visit per year. Built for commercial properties that need the most consistent level of coverage.

Available in Victoria, Calhoun, De Witt, Lavaca, Jackson, Refugio, Gonzales, Bee, Karnes, Goliad, Matagorda, Wharton, San Patricio, and Aransas counties.

Add-ons: Weekend call-back notifications for SeptiLink alarms and county-specific processing fees are available as add-ons to either plan. Contact us for details.

Why Monitoring Changes What a Maintenance Plan Can Do

A traditional maintenance plan sends a technician out a few times a year and calls that coverage. Septic iQ’s plans start with 24/7 remote monitoring and layer scheduled visits on top of that.

The monitoring piece is what changes the math. When we’re watching your system around the clock, we catch problems between visits, not just during them. Most of the issues that lead to emergency calls and major repair bills show up first as data, and our monitoring picks those up early. The scheduled visits then become less about finding problems and more about confirming the system is running the way it should.

You also get a text notification before every maintenance visit and a detailed photo report after each one. No surprises when we show up and a clear record of what was done when we leave.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add scheduled visits to the Basic plan?

Absolutely. If you’re on the Basic plan and want to add a scheduled visit, upgrading to the Regular plan at $40/month gets you one visit per year and a 5% discount on repairs for just $10 more per month. Give us a call and we’ll walk you through your options.

What happens if something goes wrong between visits?

Our office monitors Septilink alerts during normal business hours. When an alert comes in, we contact you and figure out the right next step. Repair calls are available to members and non-members alike, so you’re never stuck waiting for a scheduled visit to get something fixed.

Is there an annual contract?

All of our plans automatically renew month to month, which gives you the most flexibility and keeps the paperwork minimal. It also lets us keep prices as low as possible. That said, if you need an annual contract for accounting or compliance purposes, we can set that up. Annual contracts typically run about $30 more per year than the equivalent monthly plan.

What if I have a conventional system?

We may still be able to help. Our monitoring plans are built for aerobic septic systems, and while we don’t currently offer maintenance plans for conventional gravity-flow and LPD systems, we can still assist with services like inspections and repairs. Give our office a call and we’ll walk you through what’s available for your system type.

Do new installations come with monitoring?

Stop using water in the house and call us right away. The longer a backup runs, the more damage it can do to your system and your home.

Ready to Pick Your Plan?

Septic iQ serves home, business and property owners across fourteen counties in South Texas. If you’re not sure which plan fits your situation, give us a call and we’ll help you figure it out.