The hurricane can cause your home and infrastructure to be badly damaged, which may involve your septic System. After a hurricane event, it is essential to make sure that your septic System usually functions and does not pose health risks. In this article, Rooter-Man Plumbing shares vital means of caring for your septic tank after a hurricane.
1. Keep Children Away from Playing in Flooded Areas
Floodwater contains hazardous bacteria and other pathogens from overflowed septic tanks that are highly harmful for children to play in. This may go without saying, but it is essential to keep children and pets away from areas that have experienced flooding following a hurricane.
2. You May Want to Have Your Septic Tank Emptied Following the Hurricane
Heavy rainfall from hurricanes rapidly saturates your septic System; your tank will fill up and will not function effectively to handle the wastewater treatment. A full tank may easily back up into your home via the plumbing fixtures or also overflow to the drainfield. It is prudent you schedule septic tank pumping and cleaning to drain the tank for restoration of its capacity.
3. Limit Your Water Use
An aqueous-saturated septic tank cannot cope with regular water consumption. You can avoid further overloading of your System by reducing showering, laundry use, and dishwashing until your ground dries out and the tank can recover.
4. Look out for Signs of a Backed-Up Septic System
Too much rainfall can overwhelm your drain field and your septic tank, which may lead to sewage backup. Be very keen on any signs that your System may be clogged, such as slow drains, gurgling sounds, or bad odors emanating from your plumbing. If any of these symptoms arise, don’t hesitate; call a professional septic company now and get your septic tank repaired before the condition worsens.
5. A Septic System Inspection Should Be Scheduled
Depending on the storm’s intensity, it’s a good idea to schedule a comprehensive septic system inspection. Septic experts can diagnose the damage to your System and recommend necessary repairs. It is always safer to be cautious and have your System inspected after a hurricane.
6. Avoid Contact with Septic System Electrical Devices
Most hurricanes leave destruction in their wake, and it is likely that your electrical septic System components-the alarm systems and pumps- could be damaged. It is not advisable to touch these devices because of the danger of electrocution and toxic gases. You need to call in a professional to get help.
7. Do Not Add Chemicals to Your Septic Tank
While it may seem highly tempting to turn to septic tank additives in order to enhance system performance, the reality is that chemical additives may damage the naturally occurring bacteria in your septic tank which work to decompose your waste. It’s always best to consult a septic professional before adding anything to your tank.
8. Do Not Put Pressure on the System
Driving or parking vehicles over your septic tank or drainfield can cause costly damage. After a hurricane, the soil is typically saturated; the weight of vehicles can compact the soil, causing the drainfield to collapse or the septic tank to shift out of place, resulting in costly repairs.
9. Gutters and Downspouts Must Be Kept Pointing Away from Your Septic Tank and Drainfield
Direct your gutters and downspouts to route rainwater away from your septic tank and drain field. Surplus volumes of heavy water from these sources can flood the tank and moisten the drainfield, which can cause overflows and probable failure of the System.
Rooter-Man Plumbing: Your Go-To Septic Company
Whether your septic has been damaged in a hurricane, or whether you have more routine maintenance-like septic tank cleaning or repairs-Rooter Man Plumbing can help. Our team of professional technicians provides quality services at reasonable prices, ensuring that your septic System will remain in excellent condition. For septic installation or repair, call Rooter Man Plumbing today for an appointment with our professional technicians.
Stay safe, and let us handle your septic system needs.