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

Septic Backup or Alarm in Lansing? Get Help Fast

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

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.

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.

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 Leavenworth County health department can confirm whether a permit is needed for repairs in Lansing.

A septic backup in Leavenworth County

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

Local conditions behind septic emergencies in Lansing

Most mapped soils near Lansing 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. June is usually the wettest month in Lansing, and backups tend to rise when the ground stays soaked. About 2 months below freezing each year also bring the risk of frozen lines, especially in shallow pipes or homes left empty.

Local conditions in Lansing that affect emergency septic service

Among the mapped soils within about two miles of central Lansing, the USDA soil survey rates 89% as very limited for septic absorption fields, 11% as somewhat limited and 0% as not limited. The most common drainage class is moderately 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.

Lansing averages about 39 inches of precipitation a year, and June is usually the wettest month. Average temperatures stay below freezing for about 2 months a year, with January averaging 28°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 Lansing means for emergency septic service

By drainage class, the USDA soil survey maps the land around Lansing as 46% moderately well drained, 33% well drained, 12% somewhat poorly drained, 5% somewhat excessively drained, 4% poorly 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 Lansing

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

Ralph R Smith Septic Tank Service, Basehor, KS, 8.3 mi
H & H Septic Service Inc, Platte City, MO, 9.1 mi
Express Septic & Grease Trap, Kansas City, KS, 12.2 mi
Bob's Septic & Dirt Work, Camden Point, MO, 15.0 mi
A1 Sewer & Septic Service Inc, Kansas City, KS, 18.7 mi
Carl's Septic Tank & Excavating, Dearborn, MO, 21.3 mi

Emergency Septic Service in nearby towns

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

Leavenworth, 5.7 mi
Basehor, 7.6 mi
Parkville, 10.5 mi
Weatherby Lake, 10.7 mi
Platte City, 11 mi
Weston, 11.2 mi

About Lansing, KS

Lansing is in Leavenworth County, Kansas. About 11,221 people live there, across 12.3 square miles of land (about 912 per square mile).

Emergency Septic Service questions in Lansing

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