Back-Ups and Slow Draining

If you suddenly have a back-up or slow draining problem, and before you call us, you can open the inlet lid and look inside to see if the water level is normal, or if there is an obstruction at the inlet pipe.  If the inlet pipe is clear, you may have an obstruction in the line and will want to call a rooter service to clear it.  Most rooter services will charge you for a visit, and then tell you they will not run the snake until the septic tank is pumped. In fact they can clear the line without pumping.  Please see Rooter Services under Resources. 

If there is a large mat or obstruction at the inlet, you may be able to clear it yourself with a stick or shovel.  This may mean you should call us to pump the tank. If you have an engineered system with a pump and alarm system, and your alarm sounds, you should first look in the pump chamber to see what is wrong, or check the 2^nd chamber of the first tank to see if you have an effluent filter that is plugging.

A back-up through the sewer line into the house may also indicate a clogged or saturated/waterlogged leach field.  If this is the case, you may also experience sewage either surfacing above your tank or the ground over your leach field.  If this happens, the system becomes an annoyance and hazard to your and your neighbor's health, and a new field will have to be installed.  Please see System Repair under Services.