Septic Backup or Alarm in Evansville? 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 Evansville. Tell them what you are seeing so they can bring the right equipment on the first trip.
Keep the problem from getting worse
The fastest way to limit damage is to stop sending water into the system. Ask everyone in the house to hold off on showers, flushing and laundry. If wastewater is surfacing outdoors, keep the area clear. If the power went out and you have a pump system, the chamber may simply have filled while the pump was off. Limit water use until power returns and the pump catches up, and call if the alarm keeps sounding.
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.
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.
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 Natrona County
If a backup happens in Natrona 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 Natrona County health department may need to be involved in the repair.
Local conditions behind septic emergencies in Evansville
Soil conditions vary around Evansville, so the cause of a backup can be anything from a clogged line to a saturated drain field. A technician will check both. With only about 16 inches of precipitation a year, rain is rarely the trigger here. Heavy water use and clogs are more common causes. About 3 months below freezing each year also bring the risk of frozen lines, especially in shallow pipes or homes left empty.
Local conditions in Evansville that affect emergency septic service
Among the mapped soils within about two miles of central Evansville, the USDA soil survey rates 51% as very limited for septic absorption fields, 44% as somewhat limited and 5% as not limited. The most common drainage class is well drained. Conditions vary from lot to lot here, so a site evaluation is the only way to know how well a particular yard will handle a drain field.
Evansville averages about 16 inches of precipitation a year, and May is usually the wettest month. Average temperatures stay below freezing for about 3 months a year, with December averaging 25°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 Evansville means for emergency septic service
By drainage class, the USDA soil survey maps the land around Evansville as 74% well drained, 15% excessively drained, 7% moderately well drained, 4% somewhat excessively 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 Evansville
These are the septic companies in our directory closest to Evansville, with straight-line distance. Call any of them directly, or send one request and we will pass it to the best match.
- R & R Pumping, Casper, WY, 4.5 mi
- Bio-Action, Casper, WY, 5.4 mi
- Frederick's Vacuum Truck Service, Casper, WY, 8.8 mi
- Emery's Septic Tank Pumping, Douglas, WY, 45.9 mi
Emergency Septic Service in nearby towns
We also cover emergency septic service in these towns near Evansville:
About Evansville, WY
Evansville is in Natrona County, Wyoming. About 2,778 people live there, across 3.9 square miles of land (about 707 per square mile).
Emergency Septic Service questions in Evansville
- 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 Evansville. That company provides the service and sets its own prices and availability.