What to Do in a Septic Emergency (And Who to Call in Sussex County)

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It’s 2:00 AM on a Saturday. You have a house full of guests, and you hear a “gurgle… gurgle…-glub” from the basement shower drain, followed by the unmistakable, foul odor of raw sewage.

A septic system backup is not just an inconvenience; it’s a biohazard. It’s one of the most stressful emergencies a homeowner can face. What you do in the next 10 minutes will determine if this is a manageable problem or a full-blown catastrophe.

Your first instinct will be to grab your phone and frantically search for “24/7 Septic Tank Companies Near Me” or “emergency septic pumping Sussex County.” That is the right instinct, but you must take two other steps first.

Here is your 4-Step Emergency Action Plan.

STEP 1: STOP ALL WATER. IMMEDIATELY.
This is the single most important thing you can do. Every drop of water you add to the system will end up on your floor.

· Do not flush any toilets. Put the lids down and put a towel on top so no one uses them.

· Do not run any sinks or showers.

· Stop the washing machine or dishwasher immediately if it’s running.

· If you have a water softener that is recharging, put it on “bypass.”

Your system is a closed loop. By stopping the “water in,” you are stopping the “sewage out.”

STEP 2: ENSURE SAFETY.
Raw sewage is a toxic substance. It contains dangerous bacteria (like E. coli, salmonella) and viruses.

· Keep pets and children far away from the affected area.

· If the backup is in the basement, be extremely cautious of electrical hazards. If water is approaching outlets, a breaker box, or appliances, call 911 and report a “hazardous water condition with electrical risk.” Do not step in the water.

· Put on protective gear (rubber boots, rubber gloves, a mask) before entering the area.

· Ventilate the area by opening windows (if possible) to clear out harmful sewer gases like methane and hydrogen sulfide.

STEP 3: MAKE THE CALL (Who to Call and What to Say)
Now you can make that phone call. When you are looking for emergency septic tank companies near me, you need to make sure they offer 24/7/365 Emergency Service. A company that only works 9-to-5 Monday-Friday is not an emergency service.

When they answer, you need to give them clear, calm information:

· “I have a septic system backup. Sewage is coming into my house.” (Use these exact words. This is the “magic phrase” that signals a top-priority emergency).

· “My address is…” (Give your full, clear address).

· “Here are the symptoms…” (Tell them what’s happening. Is it a gurgling sound? Is your septic alarm going off? Is it backing up from the lowest point, like a basement shower?).

· “I know/don’t know where my septic tank is.” (If you know where the lids are, tell them. It will save them critical time when they arrive).

· “My system was last pumped…” (If you know, tell them. If the answer is “10 years ago” or “I have no idea,” that is the likely cause).

STEP 4: DO NOT… (The “Don’t” List)
In a panic, it’s tempting to try and “fix” the problem yourself. This almost always makes it worse.

· DO NOT pour drain cleaner (like Drano) down the drain. It will do nothing to a 1,000-gallon full tank and the toxic chemicals will kill the beneficial bacteria in your system. Now, instead of just sewage, you have toxic sewage backing up.

· DO NOT repeatedly flush the toilet to “see if it’s working.” You are literally pumping sewage onto your floor.

· DO NOTopen the main septic tank lid yourself. It is extremely heavy (concrete lids can be 150+ lbs) and you can be overcome by toxic fumes and fall in. This can be fatal.

· DO NOT drive on or near the septic tank or drain field. The truck from the emergency company is very heavy, and they need solid ground.

What Happens Next? An emergency technician will arrive. They will assess the situation and will almost always start by pumping the tank completely empty. This will create a 1,000-gallon “empty space” and will immediately stop the backup, giving you instant relief.

Once the tank is empty, they can diagnose the real problem. It might be a simple case of a full tank, a clogged filter, or a more serious issue like a failed pump or a saturated drain field.

But in the middle of the night, your only goal is to stop the flow. Stop the water, stay safe, and call a 24/7 professional.

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