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

Emergency Septic Service in Chillicothe, OH

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 Chillicothe. 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.

Why septic systems back up

Backups usually happen because the tank is full, the pipe from the house is blocked, or the drain field has stopped accepting water. A failed pump in a pump chamber, a broken baffle that let solids into the outlet, and heavy rain that saturates the yard are other common triggers for an emergency call.

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.

Questions to ask when you call

Ask how soon a crew can arrive and whether there is an extra charge for after-hours service. Ask whether they can pump and diagnose on the same trip. Confirm they work on your type of system, especially if you have a pump, aerobic unit or mound. After the visit, ask for a written summary of what failed, what was done and what still needs attention.

A septic backup in Ross County

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

Local conditions behind septic emergencies in Chillicothe

Most mapped soils near Chillicothe 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. May is usually the wettest month in Chillicothe, 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 Chillicothe that affect emergency septic service

Among the mapped soils within about two miles of central Chillicothe, the USDA soil survey rates 97% as very limited for septic absorption fields, 3% 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.

Chillicothe averages about 40 inches of precipitation a year, and May is usually the wettest month. Average temperatures stay below freezing for about 2 months a year, with January averaging 29°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 Chillicothe means for emergency septic service

By drainage class, the USDA soil survey maps the land around Chillicothe as 63% well drained, 20% moderately well drained, 10% somewhat poorly drained, 3% excessively drained, 3% 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 Chillicothe

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

County Sanitary Service, Chillicothe, OH, 3.1 mi
Dan's Septic Tank-Drain Cleaning, Stoutsville, OH, 17.6 mi
Marshall Septic Service, Washington Ct Hs, OH, 26.9 mi
Gordons Septic Tank Service, Washington Ct Hs, OH, 27.5 mi
Carl Wheeler's Septic Cleaning, Ashville, OH, 28.7 mi
Huntley's Septic Tank Pumping, New Plymouth, OH, 30.0 mi

Emergency Septic Service in nearby towns

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

Kingston, 10.2 mi
Frankfort, 11 mi
Waverly, 14.8 mi
Williamsport, 17.9 mi
Circleville, 18.3 mi
Piketon, 19 mi

About Chillicothe, OH

Chillicothe is in Ross County, Ohio. About 21,895 people live there, across 10.5 square miles of land (about 2,085 per square mile).

Emergency Septic Service questions in Chillicothe

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