Your septic tank system could fail for a variety of reasons, causing it to back up into your home, drain slowly, or clog frequently. If yours has failed, there are steps you’ll need to take to contain any damage, keep your family safe, and get it corrected right away. Below are the steps you should take if your system has stopped working.

What to Do When Your Septic Tank Fails

1. Don’t Let Anyone Near the Waste

If your system has backed up into your home or is puddling wastewater into your yard, you need to steer clear of it. Block off areas of your home or yard, so people and pets stay out of it. The waste will contain a multitude of bacteria that can cause illness, and only professionals should clean it up.

2. Contact Your Health Department

The first call should be to your health department, as they can advise you on what next steps you should take to keep it contained and your family safe.

They may send a crew out to do cleanup or recommend another sanitation service that’s reliable, but they may not be able to do so until the next day. Even so, professional cleanup is critical to ensuring all harmful bacteria have been eradicated and the area is safe to use again.

3. Call Septic Professionals

Next, call your preferred septic and sanitation service. If they offer emergency work and sewage has leaked into your home, they’ll come immediately for diagnostics and repairs.

They may also help with cleanup and containment. If your system has just started draining slowly or clogging up, they’ll schedule a time to come do an inspection and potentially pump the system, which will keep it from backing up.

4. Be Mindful of Your Use Until Repairs Are Complete

Conserve your water use to lessen the strain on the tank and plumbing, which can prevent another backup or worsening of the problem. Minimize how much toilet paper you’re flushing, and don’t use water unless it absolutely can’t wait.

5. Understand What Happened So You Can Prevent It

Failures happen for several reasons, including the septic tank reaching the end of its life span, tree root pipe damage, improper installation, or a lack of septic maintenance, like pumping and inspections.

Knowing what happened will make sure it doesn’t happen again, either by installing a new system, having pipes repaired, or staying on top of maintenance in the future.

If your septic tank is failing, you need reliable professionals. Family-owned and -operated, Johnny's A-1 Sanitation, LLC in Trenton, OH, has over 70 years’ experience in septic repairs, installations, and maintenance, including pumping and inspections. They also offer maintenance and service plans. Learn more about their services online and call (513) 988-5880 for a quote.