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.

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.

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

Emergency Septic Service in Englewood Cliffs, NJ

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

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.

Why septic systems back up

Wastewater backs up when it cannot move forward. That can happen at the pipe leaving the house, inside the tank, at the outlet filter or out in the drain field. A single slow drain usually points to a clog near that fixture. Every drain slowing at once points to the tank or beyond. The technician's job is to find which part stopped flowing and fix that, not just empty the tank.

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.

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 Bergen County health department can confirm whether a permit is needed for repairs in Englewood Cliffs.

While you wait for help in Englewood Cliffs

If sewage is backing up in a Englewood Cliffs 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 Englewood Cliffs

Most mapped soils near Englewood Cliffs 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. About 49 inches of precipitation a year means saturated ground is common, and backups often follow long stretches of rain. 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 Englewood Cliffs that affect emergency septic service

Among the mapped soils within about two miles of central Englewood Cliffs, the USDA soil survey rates 89% as very limited for septic absorption fields, 9% as somewhat limited and 1% 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.

Englewood Cliffs averages about 49 inches of precipitation a year, and October 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 Englewood Cliffs means for emergency septic service

By drainage class, the USDA soil survey maps the land around Englewood Cliffs as 75% well drained, 15% moderately well drained, 8% somewhat poorly drained, 2% 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 Englewood Cliffs

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

Barry's Septic Service, Old Tappan, NJ, 9.2 mi
Nask Frank Sptic Tank Cing, Mamaroneck, NY, 11.3 mi
Beachstone Septic Corp, Hawthorne, NJ, 11.9 mi
Manhasset Scavenger Co, Port Washington, NY, 12.9 mi
Action, Jersey City, NJ, 13.1 mi
Zuidema Septic Service, Midland Park, NJ, 13.5 mi

Emergency Septic Service in nearby towns

We also cover emergency septic service in these towns near Englewood Cliffs:

Englewood, 1.5 mi
Tenafly, 2.3 mi
Leonia, 2.7 mi
Fort Lee, 2.7 mi
Palisades Park, 3.8 mi
Bergenfield, 3.8 mi

About Englewood Cliffs, NJ

Englewood Cliffs is in Bergen County, New Jersey. About 5,321 people live there, across 2.1 square miles of land (about 2,503 per square mile).

Emergency Septic Service questions in Englewood Cliffs

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