The Seasonal Slowdown Is Real

If you run a septic business, you probably know how the fall months can feel. The phones aren’t ringing as much. The rush of summer calls—emergency pump-outs, system repairs, new installs—has cooled down. Homeowners are thinking about school schedules, football games, and holiday planning, not septic systems.

It can leave you stressed, wondering:

• How do I keep my crews busy when calls slow down?
  
  

• What if my revenue dips right before the holiday season?
  
  

• Am I falling behind competitors who seem to get all the work?
  
  

We get it. At Excavation Marketing Pros, we’ve worked with septic and excavation companies long enough to know the pain of seasonal ups and downs. The truth is—fall doesn’t have to mean slow. With the right online marketing strategies, you can actually use this time to get ahead.

Let’s break down how you can turn autumn into opportunity and set your septic company up for steady jobs—now and into the new year.

1. Why Fall Is the Perfect Time to Market Your Septic Services

Most contractors think spring and summer are the only seasons that matter for growth. But fall is actually one of the best times to capture homeowners’ attention.

Here’s why:

• Homeowners are prepping for winter. Nobody wants a septic emergency when the ground is frozen. They’re searching online for inspections, pump-outs, and repairs now.
  
  

• Competition is quieter. Many septic companies cut back marketing in the fall. That means your ads, posts, and website updates have less noise to fight through.
  
  

• Search demand is steady. Google doesn’t take a holiday. People still search for “septic pumping near me” or “septic repair” year-round. If your business isn’t showing up, someone else’s will.
  
  

 Fall isn’t the off-season. It’s the setup season.

2. Build a Website That Works Like a Salesperson

Your website is your 24/7 office. But here’s the problem: most septic company websites look like digital business cards. They list a phone number, maybe a few services, and that’s it.

That’s not enough anymore. Homeowners are comparing you to five other contractors in a single Google search. If your site doesn’t make it easy for them to trust you and book, they move on.

What your website needs this fall:

• Clear Call-to-Actions (CTAs): Big, bold “Call Now” or “Schedule Service” buttons at the top of every page.
  
  

• Service Pages: Separate pages for “Septic Pumping,” “Drain Field Repair,” “Septic Installation,” etc.—optimized for local search.
  
  

• Proof of Trust: Add reviews, photos of your trucks, and real project pictures. Stock photos scream “generic.”
  
  

• Mobile Speed: More than 60% of septic service searches happen on a phone. If your site takes longer than 3 seconds to load, people bounce.
  
  

Think of your website as your #1 employee. If it’s not converting visitors into calls, it’s costing you money every single day.

3. Use Google to Catch Homeowners at the Right Moment

When a septic system acts up, homeowners don’t wait—they Google. That’s why showing up in search results is critical.

SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

SEO helps your business appear when people search things like:

• “septic company near me”
  
  

• “how much does septic pumping cost”
  
  

• “septic inspection before winter”
  
  

With smart SEO, your website pages rank higher, giving you free traffic month after month.

Google Ads (Pay-Per-Click)

If SEO is planting seeds, Google Ads are flipping the switch. You can run ads that show up instantly at the top of search results when someone types “emergency septic repair.”

Fall is a great time to run ads because:

• Click costs are often lower (less competition).
  
  

• Homeowners searching are ready to buy right now.
  
  

Even a $30–$50 daily budget can bring in solid calls that pay for themselves fast.

4. Stay Visible on Social Media (Without Being Annoying)

A lot of septic contractors roll their eyes at social media. “Nobody wants to see pictures of septic tanks on Facebook.”

Here’s the thing—social media isn’t about showing off tanks. It’s about staying visible and reminding people you exist before they need you.

What to Post This Fall:

• Seasonal Tips: “Why fall is the best time for a septic inspection before winter.”
  
  

• Quick Videos: 30-second clips of your crew working, with captions like “Here’s how we prevent messy backups.”
  
  

• Before/After Shots: Show a drain field repair, a pump-out, or even your clean trucks lined up ready for service.
  
  

People may not need you today. But when their toilet backs up next month, you’ll be the name they remember.

5. Email Marketing: Keep Customers Coming Back

Every call you’ve taken this year is worth more than just one job.

If you’ve done work for a customer, fall is the perfect time to send a reminder:

• “It’s been 3 years since your last pump-out.”
  
  

• “Get a fall inspection before winter hits.”
  
  

• “Book now and we’ll lock in 2025 pricing.”
  
  

Email marketing doesn’t cost much, and it’s one of the easiest ways to fill your schedule without paying for new leads.

6. Turn Reviews Into a Marketing Machine

Here’s a truth about septic services: homeowners don’t know much about what you do. They do know how to trust other people’s experiences.

That’s why reviews are gold.

This fall, make it a goal to add at least 10 new Google reviews. Send a simple text after each job:
“Thanks for letting us serve you today! If you could leave us a quick review on Google, it helps more local families find reliable septic service.”

Then—don’t just collect reviews. Show them off. Add them to your website, ads, and social posts.

7. Measure What’s Working (and Cut What’s Not)

One of the biggest mistakes we see is septic contractors throwing money at marketing without tracking results.

This fall, don’t guess. Track:

• How many calls came from your website?
  
  

• How many jobs came from Google Ads vs. Facebook?
  
  

• Which service pages get the most traffic?
  
  

When you measure, you can double down on what works and stop wasting money on what doesn’t.

8. Why Customized Marketing Beats Cookie-Cutter Plans

A quick warning: not all marketing advice online fits septic companies. What works for restaurants or retail shops won’t always work for you.

At Excavation Marketing Pros, we focus on septic and excavation contractors. We know your customers, your busy seasons, and your slow seasons. That’s why customization matters.

This fall, don’t just “do some marketing.” Do the right marketing for your business.

Conclusion: Fall Doesn’t Have to Mean Slow

The changing leaves don’t have to mean fewer calls. With the right online marketing strategies—SEO, Google Ads, social media, reviews, and smart email—you can turn autumn into an opportunity to grow your septic company.

Your competitors may hit the brakes this season. But you? You can press forward, show up where homeowners are looking, and make sure your crews stay busy all the way into the new year.

At Excavation Marketing Pros, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. Because we know—when septic companies win, local communities thrive.