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.

Does fixing a septic emergency need a permit?

Pumping and small repairs usually do not. Larger repairs and drain field or tank replacement often do. Check with the El Paso County health department, or ask the septic company to handle permits for you.

Emergency Septic Service in Fountain, CO

When a septic system fails suddenly, homeowners in Fountain 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 El Paso 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 goes wrong

Most emergency calls in places like Fountain 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.

Keeping your system out of trouble

Regular pumping and inspection are the best insurance against a surprise backup. Install risers so the tank is easy to reach, which makes service faster in an emergency. Fix leaking toilets and faucets, since constant trickles add up. Plant only grass over the drain field and keep trees at a distance. A maintenance plan from a local company can put all of this on a schedule.

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.

After an urgent septic call in Fountain

Once the emergency is handled, ask the Fountain crew what caused it and what would prevent a repeat. The answer might be a pumping schedule, a new pump or float, or a repair to a line. Clean any affected area inside the home with disinfectant and keep the invoice with your records.

Local conditions behind septic emergencies in Fountain

Soil conditions vary around Fountain, 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 14 inches of precipitation a year, rain is rarely the trigger here. Heavy water use and clogs are more common causes.

Local conditions in Fountain that affect emergency septic service

Among the mapped soils within about two miles of central Fountain, the USDA soil survey rates 54% as very limited for septic absorption fields, 29% as somewhat limited and 17% 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.

Fountain averages about 14 inches of precipitation a year, and July is usually the wettest month. December is the coldest month at about 32°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 Fountain means for emergency septic service

By drainage class, the USDA soil survey maps the land around Fountain as 77% well drained, 16% somewhat excessively drained, 4% poorly drained, 3% 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 Fountain

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

D's Septic, Colorado Springs, CO, 15.8 mi
Custom Sewer & Septic Service, Colorado Springs, CO, 19.2 mi
On The Move Septic LLC, Pueblo West, CO, 25.0 mi
Abc Septic LLC, Divide, CO, 31.2 mi
Cut-Rate Sewer & Drain Service Inc, Pueblo, CO, 31.2 mi
Byrd's Sewer Rooter-Septic Tank, Canon City, CO, 32.9 mi

Emergency Septic Service in nearby towns

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

Colorado Springs, 13.1 mi
Manitou Springs, 17.1 mi

About Fountain, CO

Fountain is in El Paso County, Colorado. About 28,489 people live there, across 22.3 square miles of land (about 1,275 per square mile).

Emergency Septic Service questions in Fountain

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.
Does fixing a septic emergency need a permit?: Pumping and small repairs usually do not. Larger repairs and drain field or tank replacement often do. Check with the El Paso County health department, or ask the septic company to handle permits for you.