Septic Services in the Verde Valley, Prescott & Flagstaff
Repairs, leach fields, new systems and inspections, from the team that already handles your plumbing.
- 24/7 emergency service
Nights & weekends - Plumbing + septic
One call does it all - 100% satisfaction guaranteed
We stand behind our work - Licensed, bonded & insured
Arizona ROC 342715
Start here
What are you noticing?
Pick the sign that fits. We'll tell you what it usually means and what we'd check first.
Usually a septic problem
Drains backing up
- What it usually means
- When the whole house is slow, it's rarely one clog. It's usually the main line, a full tank or a leach field that isn't absorbing.
- What we'll check
- We camera the line from the house to the tank, check the tank level and look at the field, so we fix the cause, not the symptom.
Book a visit We do plumbing and septic, so one visit covers both.
Usually a plumbing problem
One slow drain
- What it usually means
- Usually a clog in that one drain line. It's a plumbing fix, not a septic problem.
- What we'll check
- We clear the drain and make sure the main line to the tank is flowing too.
Book a visit We do plumbing and septic, so one visit covers both.
Could be plumbing or septic
Gurgling drains
- What it usually means
- Air is getting trapped. It can be a blocked roof vent, a partial clog in the main line, or a tank that's too full.
- What we'll check
- We check the vents and the line between the house and the tank, then the tank itself.
Book a visit We do plumbing and septic, so one visit covers both.
Usually a septic problem
Sewage smell outside
- What it usually means
- A loose lid or riser, a tank that's due for pumping, or a leach field that's no longer absorbing.
- What we'll check
- We open the tank, check the level and the lid seals, then look at the leach field.
Book a visit We do plumbing and septic, so one visit covers both.
Usually a septic problem
Soggy or extra-green yard
- What it usually means
- The leach field is saturated or failing, and liquid is coming to the surface instead of soaking in.
- What we'll check
- We test the field and tell you straight whether it can be repaired or needs replacing.
Book a visit We do plumbing and septic, so one visit covers both.
Usually a septic problem
System alarm going off
- What it usually means
- Often a pump, aerator or float problem in the unit.
- What we'll check
- We troubleshoot the unit and get it running again.
Book a visit We do plumbing and septic, so one visit covers both.
Sewage coming up into the house? Stop running water and call now. We answer 24/7.(928) 300-1221
Septic services
Everything from the tank to the leach field.
Something's wrong and you need it fixed.
- Septic repairBackups, broken baffles, clogged filters and failed lines between the house and the tank.
- Leach field repair & replacementSoggy ground, odor or water that won't drain. We find the cause and fix the field.
- Tank locating & risersFind a buried tank and raise the lids to ground level for easy service.
Building, replacing or upgrading.
- Soil analysisEvery new system starts with the ground it goes in. We test the soil so the system fits the site.
- Installation & replacementNew systems for new homes and replacements for systems at the end of their life.
- Alternative & aerobic systemsWhen the soil, rock or groundwater rules out a standard system, we install the alternatives.
- Sewer conversions & tank abandonmentHook up to city sewer when it reaches your street, and abandon the old tank properly.
Routine care that prevents the big repair.
- Pumping & cleaningRegular pumping keeps solids out of the leach field and protects the whole system.
- Septic inspectionsRoutine checkups, and the inspection Arizona requires before a home on septic is sold.
- MaintenanceA regular schedule for conventional, aerobic and alternative systems.
Angi Super Service Award2024 winner
Why homeowners call Nichols
Great hometown service from a team that lives here.
Headquartered on Western Drive in Cottonwood and now adding septic to the plumbing, HVAC and electrical work we already do across the Verde Valley, Prescott and Flagstaff.
- Plumbing and septic, one call
From the toilet to the leach field, one team finds the real cause.
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
If something isn't right, we make it right.
- Upfront, honest pricing
You get the price after we diagnose, before we start. No surprises.
- Family owned and local
Started in Cottonwood by Desirea and David Nichols in 2017.
- Licensed, bonded and insured
Septic work under our Arizona plumbing license, ROC 342715.
- 24/7, every day of the year
Emergency service nights, weekends and holidays.
- BBB accredited
- ACCA member
- Energy Star certified
- Span Smart Panel certified
Free second opinion.
Got a septic quote from another company? Show it to us before you sign.
- Send us the quoteA photo or PDF is fine.
- We look at the systemTank, lines and leach field.
- You get an honest answerNo charge, no pressure.
"Timely service and tried to talk us out of service that they thought would not do any good for a backed up septic tank. ... I'd recommend them for their ethical approach as well as their quick response time on a weekend."
Planning ahead
New system or selling a home? Here's how it works.
- 1Soil analysis
We test the soil and look at the lot, slope, well and setbacks.
- 2Design & county permit
The system is sized for your home and soil, then permitted by the county.
- 3Installation
We install the tank and leach field to the approved plan.
- 4County inspection
The county inspects before it's covered, then signs off.
- 1Inspect within 6 months of closing
Arizona requires it. The seller schedules the inspection.
- 2The tank is pumped
In most cases the tank is pumped as part of the inspection.
- 3The buyer files the transfer
A Notice of Transfer goes to the state within 15 days after closing.
"He returned the next day and analyzed the problem as being air in the waste line —solved by hosing into the vents on the roof and using an electric septic line drain cleaner from the clean-out trap just above the septic tank. Voila. Problem solved."
"Justin was knowledgeable of my plumbing problem and was able to diagnose my problem with the plumbing to my septic. He also discovered another leak that I was not aware of."
"Great company with excellent customer service and knowledgeable techs. They also replaced our HVAC system earlier this year and did an excellent job with that too!"
Where we work
Do you serve my area?
Septic service across our whole service area: the Verde Valley, Prescott area and Flagstaff.
Verde Valley & Sedona
Prescott area
Flagstaff & Williams
FAQ
Septic questions
Still have a question?(928) 300-1221
Yavapai County recommends pumping every 3 to 5 years and an inspection every 3 years. Bigger households, a garbage disposal or a small tank can mean more often.
Yes. The seller needs the system inspected within six months before the sale, and the tank is normally pumped as part of it. The buyer files a Notice of Transfer with the state within 15 days after closing.
In Yavapai County, the Environmental Services Unit (offices in Prescott and Cottonwood). In Coconino County, Community Development's Environmental Quality section. Both follow rules set by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
A conventional system is a tank and a gravity leach field. When the soil drains too fast or too slowly, rock is close to the surface, or groundwater is high, Arizona requires an alternative system such as an aerobic unit, a sand or textile filter, or a mound. Alternative systems cost more and need regular service.
Same thing. Most people here say leach field; you'll also see drain field. It's the trenches where liquid from the tank soaks into the soil.
Yes. A running toilet or dripping faucet sends extra water through the tank all day, which can push solids into the leach field. Fixing leaks is one of the cheapest ways to protect a septic system.
Grease, wipes (even "flushable" ones), paper towels, feminine products, harsh chemicals, paint and medications. They don't break down in the tank and can clog the lines or the leach field.
A healthy tank already has the bacteria it needs, and additives don't replace regular pumping. Pumping on schedule and keeping the wrong things out of the drains does more for the system.
The county permit file for your property often shows the location. If there's no record, we can locate it, and adding risers brings the lids up to ground level so you never have to dig for it again.
No. The weight packs down the soil and can crush the pipes, so the field can't absorb water. Keep vehicles, sheds and pools off it, and plant only grass or shallow-rooted plants on top.
It depends on the cause. A clogged line or a tank that let solids through can sometimes be fixed. A field that's saturated or at the end of its life usually needs replacing. We check first and tell you which it is.
Request service
Septic trouble? Let's fix it.
Tell us what's going on and we'll get you on the schedule. For a backup, call and we'll dispatch right away.
- We answer 24/7
- Clear pricing first
- Licensed, bonded & insured
