Can I flush the toilet during a septic backup?

No. Every flush adds water that has nowhere to go. Hold off on all water use until a septic company has found and fixed the problem.

Will pumping the tank fix a backup?

Often it gets the house draining again, but it may not fix the cause. If the drain field or a pump has failed, the tank will refill and the problem will return, so ask for a diagnosis along with the pumping.

Should I call a plumber or a septic company?

If only one fixture is slow, a plumber may clear the clog. If several drains are slow or backing up, or there is an alarm or odor near the tank, call a septic company.

Is SepticTank.com the company that comes out?

No. SepticTank.com connects you with an independent local septic company that serves Gilbert. That company provides the service and sets its own prices and availability.

Septic Backup or Alarm in Gilbert? Get Help Fast

Septic emergencies usually show up as a backup in the lowest drain, a sewage smell that will not go away or a high water alarm. Each of these means wastewater has nowhere to go, and it will only get worse with more water use.

Use the form or call to reach a local septic company working in Gilbert. Tell them what you are seeing so they can bring the right equipment on the first trip.

First steps during a septic backup

Turn off anything that uses water, including the washer and irrigation. If a toilet or floor drain is overflowing, do not keep flushing to try to clear it. Keep people and pets away from any sewage and wash hands well if you come in contact with it. Check whether the problem is in one fixture or the whole house, since that helps the company tell a clogged line from a full tank.

Why septic systems back up

Wastewater backs up when it cannot move forward. That can happen at the pipe leaving the house, inside the tank, at the outlet filter or out in the drain field. A single slow drain usually points to a clog near that fixture. Every drain slowing at once points to the tank or beyond. The technician's job is to find which part stopped flowing and fix that, not just empty the tank.

High water alarms explained

A high water alarm tells you wastewater is rising above where it should be in a pump or treatment tank. The cause might be a stuck float, a failed pump, a tripped breaker or more water coming in than the system can handle. Silencing the alarm is fine, but the underlying problem still needs attention. Tell the septic company what type of system you have and the brand on the control panel if you can see it.

What the septic company will do

Expect the crew to ask questions first, then locate the tank and check the water level. If the tank is full, they will pump it so the house can drain. With the tank open, they can see whether the outlet, filter or baffles are blocked, and whether water is flowing back from the drain field, which points to a field problem. For pump systems they will test the pump, float and panel. You should get a clear explanation of the cause and your options.

Preventing the next emergency

Most emergencies are preventable. Pump the tank on a regular schedule, have the effluent filter cleaned, and keep grease, wipes and chemicals out of the drains. Spread laundry across the week rather than doing many loads in one day. Keep vehicles and heavy equipment off the tank and drain field, and direct roof and yard drainage away from them. If you have a pump system, test the alarm now and then.

What to ask an emergency septic company

Ask when they can be there and what the trip will cost, including any after-hours or weekend fee. Ask if they will pump the tank and look for the cause on the same visit, and whether they can handle a repair if one is needed. Confirm they serve your address before they head out.

A septic backup in Maricopa County

If a backup happens in Maricopa County, the first priority is keeping sewage out of living space and away from people. After that, a pumper can relieve the tank and find the cause. If the drain field turns out to be failing, the Maricopa County health department may need to be involved in the repair.

Local conditions behind septic emergencies in Gilbert

Most mapped soils near Gilbert are rated very limited for septic absorption, so a drain field that is already working hard can back up quickly when something else goes wrong. With only about 10 inches of precipitation a year, rain is rarely the trigger here. Heavy water use and clogs are more common causes.

Local conditions in Gilbert that affect emergency septic service

Among the mapped soils within about two miles of central Gilbert, the USDA soil survey rates 74% as very limited for septic absorption fields, 26% as somewhat limited and 0% as not limited. The most common drainage class is well drained. Soils like these often call for careful system design, such as a larger drain field, a mound or another engineered system, and a site evaluation before any new installation or replacement.

Gilbert averages about 10 inches of precipitation a year, and February is usually the wettest month. December is the coldest month at about 52°F on average, so freezing is rarely the main concern here. Heavy rain and saturated ground are the bigger factors for drain fields.

Sources: USDA NRCS Soil Survey (SSURGO), Soil Data Access; NASA POWER long-term climatology. Soil ratings describe mapped soil types near the city center and do not replace a site evaluation of your property.

What the soil around Gilbert means for emergency septic service

By drainage class, the USDA soil survey maps the land around Gilbert as 100% well drained. Backups and wet spots are most common after heavy rain, so it helps to know where your tank lid and cleanout are before you need them.

Source: USDA NRCS Soil Survey (SSURGO), Soil Data Access

Septic companies near Gilbert

These are the septic companies in our directory closest to Gilbert, with straight-line distance. Call any of them directly, or send one request and we will pass it to the best match.

Overley's Septic Service, Gilbert, AZ, 2.5 mi
Basic Drilling Co, Apache Junction, AZ, 10.6 mi
Mesa Septic & Rooter Service, Mesa, AZ, 11.7 mi
Vets Plumbing & Pumping Service, San Tan Valley, AZ, 12.8 mi
Coopers Sewer & Drain, Apache Junction, AZ, 13.0 mi
Action Sewer & Drain, Apache Junction, AZ, 15.2 mi

Emergency Septic Service in nearby towns

We also cover emergency septic service in these towns near Gilbert:

Mesa, 6.4 mi
Chandler, 6.6 mi
Queen Creek, 9 mi
Tempe, 12.2 mi
Apache Junction, 12.7 mi
Guadalupe, 13.3 mi

About Gilbert, AZ

Gilbert is in Maricopa County, Arizona. About 275,411 people live there, across 68.7 square miles of land (about 4,011 per square mile).

Emergency Septic Service questions in Gilbert

Can I flush the toilet during a septic backup?: No. Every flush adds water that has nowhere to go. Hold off on all water use until a septic company has found and fixed the problem.
Will pumping the tank fix a backup?: Often it gets the house draining again, but it may not fix the cause. If the drain field or a pump has failed, the tank will refill and the problem will return, so ask for a diagnosis along with the pumping.
Should I call a plumber or a septic company?: If only one fixture is slow, a plumber may clear the clog. If several drains are slow or backing up, or there is an alarm or odor near the tank, call a septic company.
Is SepticTank.com the company that comes out?: No. SepticTank.com connects you with an independent local septic company that serves Gilbert. That company provides the service and sets its own prices and availability.