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

Septic Backup or Alarm in Mesquite? 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 Mesquite. Tell them what you are seeing so they can bring the right equipment on the first trip.

What to do right now

Stop using water. That means no laundry, dishwasher, showers or flushing until the problem is found, because every gallon has to go somewhere. If sewage has come up into the house, keep children and pets away, avoid touching it without gloves and open windows for ventilation. If your system has a pump and an alarm, do not keep silencing and ignoring it. Note what you see, when it started and anything that changed recently, then call a septic company.

What usually sets off an emergency

Most septic emergencies start quietly. A tank goes years without pumping, wipes and grease collect in the outlet, or roots slowly fill a line. Then a holiday with guests, a week of laundry or a storm pushes the system past its limit and the water has nowhere to go but back into the house.

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 Dallas County

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

Local conditions behind septic emergencies in Mesquite

Most mapped soils near Mesquite 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 Mesquite, and backups tend to rise when the ground stays soaked.

Local conditions in Mesquite that affect emergency septic service

Among the mapped soils within about two miles of central Mesquite, 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 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.

Mesquite averages about 36 inches of precipitation a year, and May is usually the wettest month. January is the coldest month at about 44°F on average, so freezing is rarely the main concern here. Heavy rain and saturated ground are the bigger factors for drain fields.

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 Mesquite means for emergency septic service

By drainage class, the USDA soil survey maps the land around Mesquite as 55% moderately well drained, 45% well 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 Mesquite

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

All Around Septic Service Co, Dallas, TX, 7.3 mi
United Septic & Maintenance, Dallas, TX, 11.0 mi
Wooten & Sons Septic Tank Service, Red Oak, TX, 18.7 mi
Ruiz & Sons, Red Oak, TX, 18.7 mi
Rawhide Services, Dallas, TX, 19.1 mi
L & D Septic Service, Palmer, TX, 21.4 mi

Emergency Septic Service in nearby towns

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

Sunnyvale, 3.2 mi
Balch Springs, 3.7 mi
Seagoville, 7.7 mi
Forney, 7.7 mi
Heath, 9.5 mi
Garland, 10.7 mi

About Mesquite, TX

Mesquite is in Dallas County, Texas. About 147,317 people live there, across 49.1 square miles of land (about 3,000 per square mile).

Emergency Septic Service questions in Mesquite

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