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.

How fast can someone come out in Georgetown?

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.

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 Clear Creek County health department, or ask the septic company to handle permits for you.

Emergency Septic Service in Georgetown, CO

A septic backup does not wait for a convenient time. Maybe sewage is coming up through a drain in your Georgetown home, an alarm is sounding on your pump tank, or wastewater is pooling in the yard. The first goal is to stop adding water and get a septic company on the way.

Request a call and a company that serves Georgetown and Idaho Springs, Winter Park, Fraser will call you back to find out what is happening and when a crew can get there.

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.

Common causes of septic emergencies

A tank that is overdue for pumping is the most common cause. Other frequent culprits include a clogged line between the house and the tank or a blocked outlet baffle or filter. A failed pump or a drain field that can no longer absorb water can also cause a sudden backup. Heavy rain can make a struggling drain field fail suddenly. Tree roots, crushed pipes and items like wipes or grease also cause blockages.

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.

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.

Choosing help in an emergency

Even in a hurry, a few questions are worth asking. Is the company licensed where you live and insured? Will they explain the cause before recommending major work? Do they handle repairs and replacements, or only pumping? the Clear Creek County health department can confirm whether a permit is needed for repairs in Georgetown.

A septic backup in Clear Creek County

If a backup happens in Clear Creek 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 Clear Creek County health department may need to be involved in the repair.

Local conditions behind septic emergencies in Georgetown

Most mapped soils near Georgetown 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. July is usually the wettest month in Georgetown, and backups tend to rise when the ground stays soaked. About 5 months below freezing each year also bring the risk of frozen lines, especially in shallow pipes or homes left empty.

Local conditions in Georgetown that affect emergency septic service

Among the mapped soils within about two miles of central Georgetown, the USDA soil survey rates 100% as very limited for septic absorption fields, 0% as somewhat limited and 0% as not limited. The most common drainage class is somewhat excessively 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.

Georgetown averages about 21 inches of precipitation a year, and July is usually the wettest month. Average temperatures stay below freezing for about 5 months a year, with January averaging 17°F, so tank lids and shallow lines benefit from a layer of snow or mulch rather than being cleared bare.

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 Georgetown means for emergency septic service

By drainage class, the USDA soil survey maps the land around Georgetown as 53% somewhat excessively drained, 33% well drained, 10% poorly drained, 4% 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 Georgetown

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

Evergreen Septic Pumping Co, Evergreen, CO, 16.3 mi
Clearwater Cleanup Co, Breckenridge, CO, 23.7 mi
Acme Septic Inc, Boulder, CO, 25.4 mi
Sani King Inc, Granby, CO, 28.3 mi
All Service Septic, Arvada, CO, 28.6 mi
Colorado Pumping, Golden, CO, 28.9 mi

Emergency Septic Service in nearby towns

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

Idaho Springs, 10.4 mi
Winter Park, 12 mi
Fraser, 15.4 mi
Nederland, 19.7 mi

About Georgetown, CO

Georgetown is in Clear Creek County, Colorado. About 1,257 people live there, across 1.0 square miles of land (about 1,257 per square mile).

Emergency Septic Service questions in Georgetown

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.
How fast can someone come out in Georgetown?: 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.
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 Clear Creek County health department, or ask the septic company to handle permits for you.