If you're experiencing backed-up or clogged drains, the problem may be somewhere in your home plumbing, or it may be in your septic system. Since septic tank cleaning and plumbing companies often don’t overlap, it's useful to know which one to call. Here are a few ways to determine which professional you need.

How to Choose Between a Plumber & a Septic Company

1. Count the Drains

If you have just one clogged drain or have a problem with two or three drains in the same area of the home, the problem is likely localized in the pipes directly underneath it. If it's more widespread — say, it affects your whole ground floor — the septic system is the most likely culprit.

2. Check the Cleanout

Your septic system's cleanout is a pipe with a cap that sticks out of the ground outside between your house and your septic tank. Some older systems may not have one, but if your system does, go outside and open the cap. If you can see backup inside, your septic tank needs cleaning.

3. Determine the Age of Your Tank

A septic system has a life span of about 25 years, depending on the model and the amount of use. If your septic tank is approaching that age, you're more likely to run into problems that require septic maintenance and repairs. Also, consider how long it's been since the tank was emptied— the longer it's been, the more likely it's backed up. Finally, if your drain field is old and compacted, it can slow the processing of waste and cause backups big enough to result in clogged drains.

Whether you need clogged drains cleared or your septic tank cleaned in Connecticut or Rhode Island, contact American Rooter. Based in Watertown, CT, they are the area's most trusted drain cleaning specialists, offering snaking, water jetting, pipe inspections, and septic cleaning. They have almost 40 years of experience and offer 24-hour emergency service. To make an appointment, call (888) 863-4638 or request an estimate online.