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

Septic Backup or Alarm in Plattsburgh? Get Help Fast

A septic backup does not wait for a convenient time. Maybe sewage is coming up through a drain in your Plattsburgh 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 Plattsburgh and Grand Isle, South Hero, Dannemora will call you back to find out what is happening and when a crew can get there.

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.

When the septic alarm sounds

A high water alarm means water in the pump tank or aerobic unit has risen above normal. Press the silence button, cut back on water and check whether the breaker for the pump has tripped. If the alarm comes back on or the breaker trips again, call for service, because the pump may have failed.

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.

Preventing the next emergency

Most emergencies are preventable. Pump the tank on a regular schedule, have the effluent filter cleaned, and keep grease, wipes and chemicals out of the drains. Spread laundry across the week rather than doing many loads in one day. Keep vehicles and heavy equipment off the tank and drain field, and direct roof and yard drainage away from them. If you have a pump system, test the alarm now and then.

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.

A septic backup in Clinton County

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

Local conditions behind septic emergencies in Plattsburgh

Most mapped soils near Plattsburgh 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 Plattsburgh, 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 Plattsburgh that affect emergency septic service

Among the mapped soils within about two miles of central Plattsburgh, the USDA soil survey rates 94% as very limited for septic absorption fields, 2% as somewhat limited and 4% as not limited. The most common drainage class is somewhat poorly 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.

Plattsburgh averages about 41 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 15°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 Plattsburgh means for emergency septic service

By drainage class, the USDA soil survey maps the land around Plattsburgh as 30% somewhat poorly drained, 24% moderately well drained, 20% excessively drained, 12% well drained, 8% very poorly drained, 5% poorly drained, 1% somewhat excessively drained. Backups and wet spots are most common after heavy rain, and with 43% of the soil poorly drained the ground here can stay saturated for days, 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 Plattsburgh

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

Bo's Sewer & Drain Service, Milton, VT, 17.0 mi
Enviro-Tech, Colchester, VT, 19.4 mi
Drummac Septic Service, Highgate Center, VT, 26.2 mi
Bannon's Septic Service, Malone, NY, 40.1 mi
Cresthaven Precast, Burke, NY, 40.1 mi
Wright's Septic Service, Bristol, VT, 41.3 mi

Emergency Septic Service in nearby towns

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

Grand Isle, 8 mi
South Hero, 8.6 mi
Dannemora, 12.9 mi
Colchester, 14.9 mi
Milton, 15 mi
Georgia, 16.3 mi

About Plattsburgh, NY

Plattsburgh is in Clinton County, New York. About 19,867 people live there, across 5.4 square miles of land (about 3,700 per square mile).

Emergency Septic Service questions in Plattsburgh

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