Open 24 hours · 7 days a week
24-Hour Emergency Septic Service in Lehigh Acres, FL
Sewage coming up in a shower or tub, toilets that won't flush anywhere in the house, or wastewater pooling in the yard. Stop running water and call us. We're open 24 hours, and we'll tell you straight away how soon we can get there.
For a backup happening now, please call rather than using the form.
First question
Is it the septic system or a plumbing clog?
It's worth a minute to check, because the fix is different:
- One fixture is slow or backed up (one toilet, one sink): usually a clog in that fixture's drain line. That's a plumber's job.
- Several fixtures at once, especially the lowest ones (showers, tubs, floor drains): the problem is further down the line, at the main line, the tank or the drain field.
- Gurgling in one drain when another runs: water can't get out of the house fast enough, which often points to the septic side.
If you're not sure, call and describe what's happening. If it sounds like a plumbing clog rather than the septic tank, we'll tell you.
Common causes of a septic backup
- A full tank. The most common cause, and pumping fixes it right away.
- A blocked outlet or filter. Wipes, grease and solids can block where liquid leaves the tank.
- A saturated drain field. After heavy rain the ground around the drain field may not take any more water for a while.
- A clog in the main line between the house and the tank.
- A failing drain field. If backups keep coming back soon after pumping, the drain field may be the problem.
What we do
How we handle a backup
The goal is to get your plumbing working again first, then find out why it happened.
Triage on the phone
We ask what's backing up, where, and since when, then give you a realistic arrival time.
Find and open the tank
We locate the lid, digging it out if needed, and check the level in the tank.
Pump it down
If the tank is full, pumping it takes the pressure off and your drains start moving again.
Look for the cause
With the tank empty we check the inlet and outlet, and whether water keeps coming back in.
Tell you what's next
Sometimes the tank was just overdue. Sometimes there's a blockage or a drain field problem, and we'll explain your options.
Prevent a repeat
We'll recommend a pumping interval so it doesn't happen again.
Lehigh Acres
Backups after heavy rain
In Southwest Florida's rainy season, a lot of septic calls come in right after a big storm. When the ground around the drain field is soaked, water from the tank has nowhere to go, and drains slow down or back up even if the tank isn't especially full.
If your yard is actually flooded, pumping may need to wait. The EPA warns that emptying a tank in waterlogged soil can cause it to shift or float, and that pumping won't help much until the water level drops.1 Until then, use as little water as possible. We'll tell you over the phone whether it makes sense to pump now or wait.
Sources
FAQ
Septic emergency FAQ
Are you really open 24 hours?
Yes. We're open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including nights and weekends. Call (239) 506-1163.
How fast can you get to a septic backup?
It depends on where the truck is and what's already on the schedule, but backups get priority. Call and we'll give you a realistic time rather than a guess.
How much does emergency septic pumping cost?
It depends on the same things as a routine pump-out (tank size, how hard the lid is to reach, how full the tank is) plus any extra work the backup needs. Ask for the price when you call so there are no surprises.
Can I keep using the toilet until you get here?
Avoid it if you can. Every flush sends more water into a system that can't drain, and that water comes back out at the lowest drain in the house.
Will pumping fix my backup?
If the tank is full, yes. Your drains should start moving again as soon as it's pumped. If the cause is a blocked line or a drain field that isn't draining, pumping buys time while the real problem gets fixed.
Is sewage backup dangerous?
It can be. Sewage carries germs that can make people sick, so keep children and pets away, wear gloves to clean up, and wash thoroughly afterward. Never go into or lean over an open septic tank. The gases can overcome a person quickly.
Why does my septic back up every time it rains hard?
Usually because the drain field is saturated and can't take any more water. A tank that's close to full makes it worse. If it keeps happening, it's worth having the tank pumped and the drain field looked at.
Get a quote
Need septic service in Lehigh Acres?
We're open 24 hours, and calling is the fastest way to get on the schedule. Prefer to write? Send the short form and we'll call you back.
Call Xpress Septic Tank Pumping(239) 506-1163- Pump-outs, tank cleaning and septic backups
- Help finding buried tank lids
- Lehigh Acres and nearby Lee County
- Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
Prefer email? xpressseptictankpumping@gmail.com
Request received
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