Septic repair
Most septic trouble has a specific, fixable cause. Here's what repairs usually involve.
A backup doesn't automatically mean you need a new system. Plenty of problems trace back to a clogged line between the house and the tank, a broken baffle, a plugged effluent filter, or a tank that's simply overdue. A septic company can track down the cause and tell you what it takes to fix.
Common repairs
- Clearing or replacing the sewer line from the house to the tank
- Replacing broken or missing inlet and outlet baffles
- Cleaning, replacing or adding an effluent filter
- Replacing cracked lids and adding risers
- Repairing or replacing a damaged tank
- Fixing distribution boxes and lines to the disposal field
- Servicing pumps, floats and alarms on alternative systems
Do repairs need a permit?
Some do. Replacing a tank, rebuilding a disposal field or changing the system's design generally involves the county. Yavapai County Development Services' Environmental Unit permits and inspects on-site systems for ADEQ in the county. Your septic company should know when a permit is needed and who files it.
Repairs found during a sale
Transfer of ownership inspections turn up a lot of repair work in this area, from missing baffles to tanks that haven't been opened in decades. If a report lists deficiencies, get a written repair quote that matches each item so both sides know what's being fixed.
Sewage in the house?
Stop using water until the system is checked, avoid touching the sewage, and call. If it's surfacing in the yard, keep children, pets and livestock away from it.
The septic company prices the job after learning about your system and, for repairs or new installs, seeing the site. We don't quote prices, and any figure given over the phone is only a rough starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Why does my system back up after a monsoon storm?
Saturated ground can stop the disposal field from taking water, and runoff can get into the tank through loose lids. If it keeps happening, the field may already be struggling.
Can a broken baffle cause drainfield damage?
Yes. Without an outlet baffle, scum and solids can flow straight into the disposal field and clog it.
Related services
More background: Yavapai County septic guide.
Selling a house on septic, or drains backing up?
Call now and a local septic company will help you sort out what's needed.