In short
If your septic tank is overflowing, stop using water in the property straight away, keep children and pets away from the wet area, do not open the tank cover yourself, and call for an emergency pump out. Hygiene's emergency line on +971 56 864 8994 is answered 24/7. Send a photo and your location to speed up dispatch.
Step one, stop the water
Every litre that goes down a drain adds to the overflow. Ask everyone in the property to stop showering, flushing, running the washing machine and using the kitchen sink. If the overflow is coming up through a floor drain inside, the lowest fixture in the house is where wastewater will appear first, so close bathroom and kitchen doors and move rugs and stored items off the floor nearby.
Step two, keep people safe
Overflowing sewage carries bacteria and can release unpleasant and potentially harmful gases. Keep children and pets away from the wet area inside and outside. Do not try to lift the tank cover or look inside, because gases can collect under the cover and the opening itself is a fall hazard. If anyone feels dizzy or unwell near the tank, move them to fresh air.
Wear gloves and closed shoes if you must walk through an affected area, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards.
Step three, call for a pump out
An overflowing tank needs emptying by vacuum tanker, and the sooner the better. When you call, have three things ready. Your exact location, ideally as a map pin. A photo of the tank cover or the overflow. And the property type with an idea of how big the tank is. With these, the crew can choose the right size of tanker and reach you without delays.
Our emergency line on +971 56 864 8994 is answered 24/7. During office hours, central districts are often reached within 30 to 60 minutes. See our septic tank pumping page for how the visit works.
Step four, prepare for the crew
Clear the route between the nearest parking point and the tank cover. Move vehicles, unlock gates, and take anything stored on top of the cover out of the way. Tell the crew if the cover is under paving or difficult to find. These small steps can save valuable minutes once the tanker arrives.
After the emergency
Emergency pumping removes the liquid and floating waste so the backup stops. It does not remove the compacted sludge at the bottom, which is often why the tank filled so fast in the first place. Book a full septic tank clean soon after, and ask for a measured interval so the next pump out happens on a schedule rather than in a crisis.
Wash down affected outdoor areas with plenty of water and a household disinfectant once the tank level is down, and check that no wastewater reached a garden water feature or play area.
Services That Help
- Septic Tank Pumping, Right sized vacuum tankers dispatched from Al Quoz to empty full or overflowing tanks fast, with levels measured before and after and licensed waste disposal.
- Sewage / Septic Tank Cleaning, Full removal of sludge, scum and effluent with sealed vacuum tankers, interior wash down and disposal at approved Dubai facilities, on schedule or on demand.
Questions About This Topic
Can I use the toilet while waiting for the septic tanker?
Avoid it if at all possible. Every flush adds to the overflow and pushes more wastewater to the lowest drain in the property. If the wait is long, use facilities elsewhere until the tank has been pumped and the level is down.
Why did my septic tank overflow suddenly?
Usually the tank had been filling for weeks and simply reached its limit, often after a period of heavy use such as guests or a holiday. Other causes include a blocked outlet, a clogged soakaway after years without emptying, or heavy rain raising the water level around the tank. The crew can usually tell which after pumping.