Septic Emergency? Here's What to Do Right Now (Texas Guide)

In a septic emergency, stop all water use, keep people away from sewage, and call a licensed Texas septic company for 2-4 hour response.

Sewage backing into your home or pooling in your yard is one of the worst things a homeowner can deal with. Take a breath. This is fixable, and most Texas septic companies handle emergencies every day.

This guide walks you through exactly what to do for the four most common septic emergencies: sewage backup inside your home, overflow in your yard, an aerobic system alarm, and persistent sewage odors. Each section gives you the immediate steps, what the pros will do, and what it costs.

Step 1: Stop All Water Use Immediately

The single most important thing you can do in any septic emergency is stop using water. Every gallon you send down the drain makes the problem worse.

This means:

• No flushing toilets
• No running sinks, showers, or bathtubs
• Turn off the dishwasher and washing machine if they're running
• Don't run the garbage disposal

If sewage is actively backing up into your home, turn off the main water supply valve. You'll usually find it near your water meter or where the main line enters the house.

Stopping water use gives the system a chance to stabilize and prevents more sewage from being pushed into areas it shouldn't be.

Sewage Backing Up Into Your Home

Indoor sewage backup is the most serious septic emergency. Get everyone out of affected rooms, ventilate the area, and call a licensed provider immediately.

Here's what to do:

1. Stop all water use. Don't flush, don't run sinks, don't do laundry.
2. Get everyone out of affected rooms. Keep kids and pets away from any sewage.
3. Open windows and doors in affected areas to ventilate. Sewage gas contains methane and hydrogen sulfide, both harmful in enclosed spaces.
4. Don't try to clean it up yourself yet. Raw sewage carries bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Wait until the source of the backup is fixed.
5. Call a licensed septic company. Most Texas providers answer emergency calls 24/7 and can reach you within 2-4 hours.
6. Document the damage. Take photos before any cleanup for your insurance claim.

What causes indoor backup: A full septic tank is the most common culprit. Tree roots blocking the outlet pipe, a collapsed line between the house and tank, or a saturated drain field that can't accept more liquid are the other usual suspects. In Texas, heavy spring and fall rains often push systems past their limits.

Sewage Overflow in Your Yard

Sewage surfacing in your yard means your drain field or tank is overwhelmed. Keep everyone away from the wet area and reduce water use to zero.

Yard overflow usually shows up as soggy, foul-smelling spots near the drain field or tank area. Sometimes you'll see dark liquid pooling on the surface.

What to do:

1. Keep people and pets away. Mark the area if you can. The liquid contains the same pathogens as indoor sewage.
2. Stop using water inside the house.
3. Don't drive or walk on the saturated area. Heavy weight compacts the soil and makes drain field problems worse.
4. Call a licensed septic professional. They'll pump the tank and assess whether the drain field needs repair.
5. Don't try to cover it with dirt or gravel. You need to fix the cause, not hide the symptom.

Common causes in Texas: Clay soils across much of Central and North Texas drain poorly. After heavy rain, the ground gets saturated and your drain field can't do its job. This is especially common in the Blackland Prairie region (Dallas-Fort Worth through San Antonio) and in areas with expansive clay that swells when wet.

If your yard overflow happens after a major storm, the problem may resolve as the ground dries out. But if it happens in dry weather, your system has a more serious issue that needs professional evaluation.

Aerobic System Alarm Going Off

An aerobic system alarm usually means the water level is too high or the air pump has failed. Reduce water use and call your maintenance provider within 24 hours.

Most aerobic alarms have two indicators:

Alarm Color	What It Means	Urgency
Red light or buzzer	High water level in the tank	Call within 24 hours
Yellow or green light	Low air, blower issue	Call within 48 hours
Both lights	Multiple problems	Call immediately

Here's what to do:

1. Check your alarm panel. Note which lights are on.
2. Reduce water use in the house.
3. Check for obvious issues outside: Are the spray heads clogged? Is there standing water around the system? Has the power been interrupted?
4. Call your maintenance provider. Texas requires aerobic systems to have a maintenance contract with a TCEQ-licensed provider. If you have one, call them first.
5. Don't silence the alarm permanently. You can press the silence button to stop the noise, but the underlying problem still needs fixing.

If your aerobic system doesn't have a current maintenance contract, you can find licensed wastewater treatment companies through your county's environmental services office or through TCEQ.

The most common alarm trigger in Texas is the air blower failing during extreme summer heat. Texas summers put extra stress on these components. The second most common cause is power outages from storms, which shut down the aerator and allow solids to build up.

Strong Sewage Smell (No Visible Backup)

Persistent sewage odor without visible backup often signals a venting problem, dry trap, or early-stage system issue. It's not usually an emergency, but don't ignore it.

Try these steps first:

1. Run water in rarely used drains. Floor drains, guest bathrooms, and utility sinks can develop dry P-traps that let sewer gas into the house. Running water for 30 seconds refills the trap.
2. Check your roof vent pipe. If it's clogged (bird nests, leaves, ice in winter), sewer gas backs into the house through drains.
3. Check around the septic tank. If the smell is strongest outside near the tank, the lid gasket may be failing or the tank may need pumping.
4. Notice when the smell is strongest. Worse on hot days? The tank may be overfull and gases are escaping. Worse when it rains? Water may be infiltrating the system.

If running water in drains doesn't fix the smell, or if it's getting stronger over time, call a septic professional. Persistent odor is one of the early warning signs of septic system failure.

What Emergency Septic Service Costs in Texas

Emergency septic service in Texas costs $385-$800+ for pumping, compared to $235-$485 for standard service. After-hours and weekend calls add $150-$300 to the base price.

Service	Standard Cost	Emergency/After-Hours Cost
Tank pumping (1,000 gal)	$235-$485	$385-$785
Tank pumping (1,500 gal)	$350-$600	$500-$900
Minor repair (clog, pipe)	$275-$375/hr	$425-$675/hr
Major repair (drain field)	$5,000-$12,000	$5,000-$12,000+
Aerobic system service call	$150-$250	$300-$450

Most Texas septic companies charge $150-$300 extra for emergency, weekend, or holiday service. This premium covers the after-hours dispatch and priority scheduling. If your situation can wait until Monday morning, you'll save money by scheduling standard service.

For a full breakdown of standard septic pricing in Texas, see our septic pumping cost guide.

After the Emergency: Cleanup and Next Steps

After the septic emergency is resolved, you'll need to address cleanup, potential insurance claims, and preventing a repeat.

Cleanup basics:

• Wear rubber gloves and eye protection when cleaning any area touched by sewage
• Discard porous items that absorbed sewage: carpet, rugs, upholstered furniture, mattresses, and particleboard
• Hard surfaces (tile, concrete, sealed wood) can be cleaned with a bleach solution (one cup per gallon of water)
• Run fans and dehumidifiers to dry affected areas completely

Insurance: Most standard Texas homeowner policies don't cover septic backup damage unless you've added a sewer/septic backup endorsement. Check your policy. If you have coverage, document everything with photos and keep all receipts from emergency service calls.

Prevent the next emergency:

• Pump your tank on schedule (every 3-5 years for most households)
• Keep your aerobic maintenance contract current
• Follow a regular septic maintenance checklist
• Know where your tank and drain field are located
• After heavy Texas rains, reduce water use for 24-48 hours to let the ground drain

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I call 911 for a septic emergency?

Call 911 only if someone has fallen into an open septic tank or is showing signs of illness from sewage gas exposure (dizziness, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness). For sewage backup or overflow, call a licensed septic company instead. They're equipped to handle it and can usually reach you within 2-4 hours.

Can I use my toilets during a septic emergency?

No. Any water you send down the drain adds to the problem. If your septic is backing up or overflowing, every flush pushes more sewage into areas it shouldn't be. Use a bucket or temporary portable toilet until your system is serviced.

How fast can a septic company get to my house in Texas?

Most Texas septic companies that offer emergency service can respond within 2-4 hours during business hours and 4-8 hours for after-hours calls. Response times vary by your location and how busy they are. Call two or three companies if the first one can't come quickly enough. Rural areas may have longer wait times.

Does my homeowner's insurance cover septic backup?

Standard Texas homeowner policies typically don't cover septic system backup damage. You need a separate sewer/septic backup endorsement, which usually costs $40-$75 per year. If you already have this endorsement, document the damage with photos and call your insurer after the emergency is resolved.

What's the most common cause of septic emergencies in Texas?

A full tank that hasn't been pumped on schedule is the most common cause. Texas-specific factors that contribute include heavy seasonal rains saturating clay soils, root intrusion from live oaks and other large trees, and power outages disrupting aerobic system blowers during storms. Keeping up with regular pumping prevents most emergencies.

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Last updated: February 4, 2026 Reviewed by: Texas Septic Guide Editorial Team, content verified against TCEQ homeowner guidance and licensed Texas septic provider recommendations

Need emergency septic help in Texas? Get connected with licensed providers now

Sources: TCEQ homeowner guidance for septic systems; Van Delden Wastewater Systems emergency guidance; Texas A&M AgriLife Extension; Gulf Coast Health District health hazard warnings for failing septic systems; Texas provider pricing surveys 2025-2026.