If your home features a septic system, every slow drain and gurgling toilet will remind you of the worst-case scenario—septic backup. Fortunately, the team at Sloan’s Septic Tank Service in Oakley, MI, has solved their fair share of plumbing problems, and they know the key to successful results is educating their clients on emergency procedures. Here, this septic service explains what to do if you believe your system is backing up.

Septic Service Team Explains How to Handle a Backup  

1. Determine the Problem

While you might automatically assume a septic backup is to blame, there are other plumbing issues with similar warning signs, including clogged drains. To confirm the problem is a backup, use the following logic. If one fixture is clogged but others work fine, the problem is likely a clog or vent issue in the fixture alone. If all the drains in your property are sluggish or blocked, or if waste is coming back through the lowest fixture in your home, the issue lies in your septic system.

2. Confine the Problem Area

You can tell where the blockage is positioned in your plumbing system by inspecting the septic tank. When you open the lid, see if the tank is low or full. If it’s low, the clog is somewhere between your home and the tank, but if it’s full, the blockage is at the end of the septic system.

3. Check the Switches

In some cases, sewage backup is caused by electrical issues, such as a power outage or a caught float switch—a floating device that assesses the tank’s fill level and turns a circuit on or off. If you can reset either of these, your septic issues might fix themselves.

4. Call for Professional Help

Even with all of your detective work, you’ll need a professional septic repair team to eliminate the blockage. They’ll have the tools and skills to restore your waste management to normalcy, and your troubleshooting efforts will make their job easier.

If you’re looking for top-tier septic service, contact Sloan’s Septic Tank Service. After over 80 years of business, they have mastered the art of tackling septic issues and reinstating household comfort for residents of Oakley and the surrounding areas. To learn more about their expertise and 24-hour emergency service, visit the website, and call (989) 845-6280 to schedule a maintenance call.