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

Septic Backup or Alarm in Eagan? Get Help Fast

Septic emergencies usually show up as a backup in the lowest drain, a sewage smell that will not go away or a high water alarm. Each of these means wastewater has nowhere to go, and it will only get worse with more water use.

Use the form or call to reach a local septic company working in Eagan. Tell them what you are seeing so they can bring the right equipment on the first trip.

First steps in a septic emergency

Turn off or stop using every source of water you can: no showers, laundry, dishwasher or flushing. Keep children and pets away from any sewage, indoors or out, and do not try to open the tank yourself. If an alarm is sounding, silence it and leave the breaker on unless it keeps tripping.

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 to expect when the truck arrives

Expect the technician to start at the tank, not inside the house. Pumping usually relieves the backup right away, and the crew will then look for the cause: a clog, a broken part or a field that is no longer draining. Ask them to explain what they found before any larger repair is scheduled.

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 Dakota County health department can confirm whether a permit is needed for repairs in Eagan.

A septic backup in Dakota County

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

Local conditions behind septic emergencies in Eagan

Most mapped soils near Eagan 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 Eagan, and backups tend to rise when the ground stays soaked. About 4 months below freezing each year also bring the risk of frozen lines, especially in shallow pipes or homes left empty.

Local conditions in Eagan that affect emergency septic service

Among the mapped soils within about two miles of central Eagan, the USDA soil survey rates 90% as very limited for septic absorption fields, 10% as somewhat limited and 0% 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.

Eagan averages about 33 inches of precipitation a year, and June is usually the wettest month. Average temperatures stay below freezing for about 4 months a year, with January averaging 13°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 Eagan means for emergency septic service

By drainage class, the USDA soil survey maps the land around Eagan as 52% well drained, 19% excessively drained, 11% somewhat excessively drained, 10% moderately well drained, 4% poorly drained, 4% very 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 Eagan

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

Bixby Septics, Prior Lake, MN, 13.6 mi
Schlomka Services Inc, Hastings, MN, 15.2 mi
Mckinley Sewer Service & Supply, Prior Lake, MN, 15.3 mi
Pinky's Environmental & Sewer, Afton, MN, 16.1 mi
Esi Septic Service, Hampton, MN, 17.4 mi
Town & Country Sewer Service, Webster, MN, 21.1 mi

Emergency Septic Service in nearby towns

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

Mendota Heights, 4.6 mi
Inver Grove Heights, 5.1 mi
Apple Valley, 5.2 mi
Rosemount, 6.7 mi
Burnsville, 6.7 mi
West St. Paul, 7.1 mi

About Eagan, MN

Eagan is in Dakota County, Minnesota. About 67,396 people live there, across 31.2 square miles of land (about 2,162 per square mile).

Emergency Septic Service questions in Eagan

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