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 Goodyear. That company provides the service and sets its own prices and availability.

Emergency Septic Service in Goodyear, AZ

When a septic system fails suddenly, homeowners in Goodyear need two things: to keep the problem from spreading and to get a qualified crew on site. Most emergencies trace back to a full tank, a clogged line or a failed pump.

A local company that works across Maricopa County can find the cause, pump the tank if needed and get your plumbing working again.

Limit the damage while you wait

The fastest way to limit damage is to stop adding water. If sewage has reached a floor, keep people out of the area, open windows for air and avoid using fans that spread odors through the house. Take photos for your insurance company before cleanup starts, then call a septic company.

What usually goes wrong

Most emergency calls in places like Goodyear trace back to a full tank, a clog, a pump failure or a saturated drain field. Systems that have not been pumped in many years are the most likely to fail suddenly, often after a busy weekend of guests or laundry. Older systems with clay pipes are more prone to root intrusion and cracks.

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.

How an emergency visit usually goes

The first priority is to get wastewater moving so you can use your plumbing again, which often means pumping the tank or clearing a line. Next the technician looks for the underlying cause. Some fixes happen on the spot, like replacing a float or cleaning a filter. Others, like replacing a drain field, need a follow-up visit, permits and a written estimate.

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.

Questions to ask when you call

Ask how soon a crew can arrive and whether there is an extra charge for after-hours service. Ask whether they can pump and diagnose on the same trip. Confirm they work on your type of system, especially if you have a pump, aerobic unit or mound. After the visit, ask for a written summary of what failed, what was done and what still needs attention.

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 Goodyear

Soil conditions vary around Goodyear, so the cause of a backup can be anything from a clogged line to a saturated drain field. A technician will check both. With only about 8 inches of precipitation a year, rain is rarely the trigger here. Heavy water use and clogs are more common causes.

Local conditions in Goodyear that affect emergency septic service

Among the mapped soils within about two miles of central Goodyear, the USDA soil survey rates 28% as very limited for septic absorption fields, 30% as somewhat limited and 42% as not limited. The most common drainage class is well drained. Conditions vary from lot to lot here, so a site evaluation is the only way to know how well a particular yard will handle a drain field.

Goodyear averages about 8 inches of precipitation a year, and August 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 Goodyear means for emergency septic service

By drainage class, the USDA soil survey maps the land around Goodyear as 76% well drained, 24% somewhat excessively 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 Goodyear

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

Septic Technologies Inc, Goodyear, AZ, 12.6 mi
Hornick Contracting Co, Laveen, AZ, 13.5 mi
PSC, Phoenix, AZ, 17.3 mi
Fred's Pumping Service, Phoenix, AZ, 20.2 mi
American Pumping Service Inc, Glendale, AZ, 22.2 mi
A American Septic Service, Phoenix, AZ, 22.8 mi

Emergency Septic Service in nearby towns

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

Avondale, 4.6 mi
Tolleson, 14.9 mi
Litchfield Park, 17.1 mi

About Goodyear, AZ

Goodyear is in Maricopa County, Arizona. About 111,805 people live there, across 191.3 square miles of land (about 584 per square mile).

Emergency Septic Service questions in Goodyear

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 Goodyear. That company provides the service and sets its own prices and availability.