Is sewage in the house dangerous?

Sewage can carry bacteria and viruses. Keep people and pets away, wear gloves if you must touch anything, and clean affected areas thoroughly after the problem is fixed. Large spills may call for a professional cleanup company.

Why did my system back up after heavy rain?

Saturated soil can stop a drain field from absorbing water, and surface water can seep into tanks and lids. The system may recover as the ground dries, but repeated problems after rain point to a drain field or drainage issue that should be inspected.

How fast can someone come out in Taft?

Response time depends on the company's schedule and where you are. Tell them it is an emergency and describe what you see so they can prioritize and bring the right equipment.

Is SepticTank.com the company that comes out?

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

Septic Backup or Alarm in Taft? Get Help Fast

When a septic system fails suddenly, homeowners in Taft 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 Kern County can find the cause, pump the tank if needed and get your plumbing working again.

Keep the problem from getting worse

The fastest way to limit damage is to stop sending water into the system. Ask everyone in the house to hold off on showers, flushing and laundry. If wastewater is surfacing outdoors, keep the area clear. If the power went out and you have a pump system, the chamber may simply have filled while the pump was off. Limit water use until power returns and the pump catches up, and call if the alarm keeps sounding.

What usually sets off an emergency

Most septic emergencies start quietly. A tank goes years without pumping, wipes and grease collect in the outlet, or roots slowly fill a line. Then a holiday with guests, a week of laundry or a storm pushes the system past its limit and the water has nowhere to go but back into the house.

If your septic alarm is going off

An alarm on a pump chamber or aerobic unit usually means the water level is too high. Many alarms have a silence button; press it, then cut back on water use. Check that the pump's breaker has not tripped. If the alarm comes back on after a few hours, the pump, float switch or control panel may have failed and needs service. Do not open the pump chamber yourself, since it contains wastewater and electrical equipment.

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.

Avoiding another septic emergency

Regular pumping, an effluent filter cleaned at each visit, and care about what goes down the drains prevent most emergencies. Fix leaking toilets and faucets, keep roof water away from the tank and field, and know where your tank lid is so a crew can reach it quickly if something does go wrong.

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.

While you wait for help in Taft

If sewage is backing up in a Taft home, stop using water right away. Do not run the washer, dishwasher or showers. Keep children and pets away from any wet area in the yard. Open windows for air if there is an odor indoors, and have the tank lid location ready for the crew.

Local conditions behind septic emergencies in Taft

Most mapped soils near Taft 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 11 inches of precipitation a year, rain is rarely the trigger here. Heavy water use and clogs are more common causes.

Local conditions in Taft that affect emergency septic service

Among the mapped soils within about two miles of central Taft, the USDA soil survey rates 64% as very limited for septic absorption fields, 30% as somewhat limited and 6% 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.

Taft averages about 11 inches of precipitation a year, and February is usually the wettest month. December is the coldest month at about 46°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 Taft means for emergency septic service

By drainage class, the USDA soil survey maps the land around Taft as 94% well drained, 6% 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 Taft

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

Argo Chemical, Shafter, CA, 24.6 mi
Super Heroes, Bakersfield, CA, 26.6 mi
American Septic Tank Pumping, Bakersfield, CA, 26.9 mi
Valley Pumping Service LLC, Bakersfield, CA, 28.8 mi
Fred C Gilbert Co, Bakersfield, CA, 30.4 mi
AAA Pumping Service, Bakersfield, CA, 34.3 mi

Emergency Septic Service in nearby towns

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

Maricopa, 5.3 mi

About Taft, CA

Taft is in Kern County, California. About 6,961 people live there, across 15.3 square miles of land (about 456 per square mile).

Emergency Septic Service questions in Taft

Is sewage in the house dangerous?: Sewage can carry bacteria and viruses. Keep people and pets away, wear gloves if you must touch anything, and clean affected areas thoroughly after the problem is fixed. Large spills may call for a professional cleanup company.
Why did my system back up after heavy rain?: Saturated soil can stop a drain field from absorbing water, and surface water can seep into tanks and lids. The system may recover as the ground dries, but repeated problems after rain point to a drain field or drainage issue that should be inspected.
How fast can someone come out in Taft?: Response time depends on the company's schedule and where you are. Tell them it is an emergency and describe what you see so they can prioritize and bring the right equipment.
Is SepticTank.com the company that comes out?: No. SepticTank.com connects you with an independent local septic company that serves Taft. That company provides the service and sets its own prices and availability.