Septic Systems & Flood
Events--Looking After Your System Following
Heavy Rains, Tropical Storms & Hurricanes
OMG! My septic tank is flooded!
Slow down.
Breath easier.
There is probably not any money you need to spend.
Heavy rains from hurricanes and tropical storms can cause your
tank to
flood.
Any source of excess water can
cause the soil pores to become filled (saturated).
Then the water from the septic system has no place to go and
it surfaces to ground level.
This is normal.
This regularly happens with septic systems after floods.
It can take several weeks for the soil to reabsorb the excess
water.
So, is it rain water or
effluent?
Who knows?!?
Honestly, if it is over your drainfield, it is probably a mix.
Don't play in it.
Let it dry.
Stop worrying.
Septic pro trick: If the liquid has an odor put lime
on it--the same kind you
put on your yard.
If you are worried about liquid with no odor put lime on it.
We actually regularly spill some effluent on the ground
when performing
maintenance on certain types of septic systems (LPP a.k.a. Low
Pressure
Pipe). We have to spill effluent to clean out the lines.
We spill several gallons of effluent per trench line.
When the maintenance is done we throw lime on it, tell the
homeowner to
stay out of that area for a couple weeks and go on to the next
job.
Done.
What can you do to help your system?
Drastically decrease your water usage or ideally
stop using water altogether.
The less water you use the easier it is for the ground to start
absorbing
effluent again.
Be wary of pumping your tank when the area around your septic
system is
flooded as opening the lids can wash dirt into your tank.
If you decide to pump your tank while your drainfield is still
saturated,
your tank will probably fill back up within a few days.
Then it will start distributing water back out into the
drainfield
as it is suppose to.
Septic tanks normally have about 800+ gallons of water in them.
Most people use about 60-80 gallons of water per day.
When do you need to call a septic professional?
~If the water doesn't dissipate after other water in the area
has dried up.
~If waste is backing up in to your house (Honestly, this could
be a plumbing
clog or it could be septic related.)
~If the tank has come out of the ground.
~If you have components--pipes, chambers or a
distribution box, sticking out
of the ground.
~If the lids have come off of components and you cannot refit
them.
~If your tank's pump (provided you have one), has stopped
working.
~If your tank's pump runs constantly.
Before examining a tank with a pump shut off the
electricity at the breaker.
Before examining a tank with a pump shut off the
electricity at the breaker.
Before examining a tank with a pump shut
off the electricity at the breaker.
I know you know how some of my brethren in the industry
work.
So...If you are really worried and don't
want a septic person to examine your
problem call the health department.
That would be environmental health in North Carolina for septic.
I would snap a few pictures of what I was worried about and
email it to them.
They're nice people.
I've never had a bad interaction with an environmental health
employee.
You could also ask them to drop by when they are in the area.
Unbeknownst to most people, environmental health is a
good
unbiased sources of information on septic.
They are county employees with State benefits and do not get any
kickbacks
from the industry.
They have no vested interest in making you repair a system when
it is not
needed.
The EPA has a good article on this subject, Septic Systems -
What to Do
after the Flood
Serving the Inner & Outer Banks
Charlotte & the Foothills
Western North Carolina
Ph 828-447-5184
Email: tuckasegee@yahoo.com
Western North Carolina
222 Falling Waters Road
Cullowhee, NC 28723
Charlotte & The Foothills
118 Church View Drive
Lawndale, NC 28090
Inner & Outer Banks
646 Core Point Road
Blounts Creek, NC 27814