Frequently Asked Questions

Don't panic — it's routine. Wisconsin law requires every septic system (officially a POWTS, or Private Onsite Wastewater Treatment System) to be inspected at least once every three years, and St. Croix County mails a reminder when their records show it's been a while. The inspection has to be done by a licensed inspector, who then files the maintenance report with the county on your behalf.

That inspection isn't a service we offer — but we work alongside the folks who do, and we're glad to point you to a licensed inspector we trust so you can get it scheduled and stay in good standing with the county. And if that inspection turns up a problem — a failing tank, a tired drain field, anything that needs digging — that's exactly the work we do. Give us a call and we'll take it from there.

Yes. A new septic system requires a State Sanitary Permit, and repairs, reconnections, or rejuvenations require a County Sanitary Permit through St. Croix County. The good news: this is exactly the kind of paperwork we handle every week. We take care of the soil and site evaluation, the permit filing, and scheduling the county inspection, so you don't have to chase it down yourself. 

The state requires an inspection every three years, and the tank gets pumped when the built-up solids reach about a third of the tank's volume. For a typical household, that usually works out to every 3 to 5 years — though a bigger family or a smaller tank may need it sooner. Pumping on schedule is the single best thing you can do to protect your drain field and avoid a far more expensive repair down the road. We'd recommend lining up a licensed septic pumper to keep you on schedule. 

A failing system usually gives you warning signs before it gives out completely. Watch for:

• Slow drains throughout the house, not just one sink
• Sewage smells in the yard, basement, or near the tank
• Soggy ground or unusually green, lush grass over the drain field
• Gurgling sounds or backups in toilets and drains

If you're seeing any of these, call us sooner rather than later — catching it early often means a repair instead of a full system replacement. 

It depends entirely on your soil and how high the water table sits on your property, which is why a soil and site evaluation comes first. Here in western Wisconsin, a lot of lots have shallow bedrock or a high water table, so mound and at-grade systems are common — they sit higher up to give the wastewater enough soil to filter through. Once we evaluate your site, we'll tell you straight what your property calls for and what it'll cost. 

Yes. Jim holds Wisconsin Master Plumber Restricted Service License #222904, and we carry insurance on all our work. You're hiring a licensed, family-owned business that's been accountable to this community since 1983 — not a fly-by-night crew 

We're based in Hudson and work throughout St. Croix County, Pierce County, and nearby areas. This includes cities such as Hudson, River Falls, New Richmond, Somerset, St. Joseph, Star Prairie, Baldwin, Woodville, Hammond, Roberts, Ellsworth, and Prescott. Not sure if you're in our range? Just call — if we can get the equipment there, we can do the job. 

We do. Tell us what you're dealing with and we'll come take a look and give you an honest estimate at no charge. Call (715) 760-0117 to set it up. 

Every job is different — cost depends on your soil, the type of system, site access, and the scope of the work — so we don't post one-size-fits-all pricing that wouldn't mean anything for your property. What we can promise is a fair, honest estimate up front with no surprises. Give us a call for a free estimate.