Septic repair
Backups, alarms and odors usually have a specific cause. Get it found and fixed before it reaches the drain field.
Septic repair fixes the parts of a system between the house and the drain field: broken pipes, failed pumps and floats, damaged baffles, clogged filters, cracked tanks and faulty alarms. Many Deschutes County systems have pumps and controls, so repair calls often start with an alarm.
What are common septic repairs?
- Pump and float replacement on pressure distribution, sand filter and ATT systems
- Alarm and control panel repairs
- Baffle replacement when inlet or outlet baffles break down
- Effluent filter cleaning or replacement
- Broken or root-clogged lines between the house and tank
- Tank replacement when a tank is cracked or failing
My septic alarm is going off. What do I do?
An alarm usually means the water level in a pump chamber is too high, often because a pump or float has failed or a breaker has tripped. Cut back on water use right away, check the breaker for the pump, and call. Don't keep silencing the alarm without finding out why it went off.
Do septic repairs need a permit in Deschutes County?
Many do. Deschutes County issues onsite repair permits through Oregon ePermitting. Repairs to a tank, effluent line or distribution box are generally a minor repair permit. Repairs to a drain field, sand filter or treatment unit are a major repair permit. Replacing a tank also requires a tank abandonment form. Your septic company can tell you what applies.
What causes septic problems?
- Skipped pumping, letting solids reach the drain field
- Grease, wipes and other non-flushables
- Tree roots in lines and tanks
- Vehicles driving over tanks or lines
- Worn-out pumps and floats on pressurized systems
What affects the cost of a repair?
- The part that failed. A float switch versus a tank.
- Digging. Depth, frozen ground and access.
- Permits. County permit fees for many repairs.
- Timing. Emergency calls cost more.
Prices come from the septic company after they've seen the system. We don't quote prices ourselves, and a phone estimate is only a starting point.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Why is my septic alarm beeping?
It usually means the water level in the pump chamber is too high, often from a failed pump or float or a tripped breaker. Reduce water use and call a septic company.
Do I need a permit to replace my septic tank in Deschutes County?
Yes. Tank replacement is a minor repair permit through the county, and it requires a tank abandonment form for the old tank.
Can tree roots damage a septic system?
Yes. Roots can clog pipes and crack tanks. Keep trees and large shrubs away from tanks and lines.
Related services
More background: Deschutes County septic guide.
Septic backing up or alarm going off?
Call now instead of sending a form. Backups are a same-day problem.