Don’t panic — but don’t wait either
If your septic tank is full and overflowing, time matters. Waiting too long can cause serious damage to your plumbing, property, and health. But, with a few quick steps, you can reduce the mess and get help fast.
Here’s what to do.
1. Stop using water inside the house
The first step is to stop adding water to the system. That means:
- No showers, laundry, or dishwashing
- Turn off any irrigation or backflushing systems
- Keep toilets closed (and ideally, unused)
The less water entering the tank, the lower the chance of an indoor backup.
2. Check the area around your tank
Walk carefully around the septic tank and trenches. Look for:
- Pooling water or sludge
- Strong odours
- Evidence of surface overflow or drain field saturation
This info can help your pumpout provider prioritise urgency and understand the issue.
3. Call for a pumpout ASAP
Let the operator know:
- Your location
- What kind of system you have (if known)
- Any symptoms you’ve noticed (odours, slow drains, pooling water)
At Sunshine Coast Septic, we keep space available most days for urgent jobs. If we can’t get there same day, we’ll usually be there the next.
4. Don’t try to dig or fix it yourself
Septic systems contain harmful bacteria, gases, and contaminants. Digging near the tank or trying to open it without proper equipment can be dangerous. And it can make things worse.
Leave it to the professionals.
5. Make a plan to prevent it happening again
Emergency pumpouts are stressful. The good news is, however, they are avoidable. Most systems fail due to lack of maintenance, poor usage habits, or missed service windows.
Once the crisis is over, we can:
- Help you set a reminder for future pumpouts
- Inspect the tank and offer advice
- Create a service schedule to suit your household
Need urgent septic help?
We provide fast, reliable emergency pumpouts across the Sunshine Coast.