If your home is experiencing flooding, this fact alone will usually not cause your septic system to fail. However, if your septic tank and drainfield already have problems, a flood can exacerbate these issues. If your home is already struggling to handle the normal amount of waste you are disposing of, flooding can make the problem much worse. There are several warning signs you'll want to look out for that your septic system is likely to fail. 

Warning Signs

Seeing standing water is a bad sign especially if you continue to see standing water after the floodwater has receded. You might also begin to experience water backing up into your home. Your pipes might be making a gurgling sound. Your septic tank might also fill up more quickly than it should. 

Avoid Contact with Flood Water

Water backing up into your basement can be a serious problem because your basement might not only fill up with water but also chemicals. It's hard to predict what will be carried into your home and it's important to try to avoid contact with the water.

Know When to Pump Your Septic Tank

A septic tank needs to be pumped periodically, but only every couple of years. If your septic tank is filling up quickly, this might partially be due to a problem with your drainfield. 

During the flood, you might consider pumping your septic tank and drainfield. However, this is not the correct solution and will only act as a temporary fix. It's also possible to damage the inlet and outlet pipes when pumping under these conditions. 

Protect Your Drainfield During a Flood

The best way to protect your drainfield is to plug all the drains in your basement. You'll also want to use as little water in your home as possible until the flood waters have receded. 

After the flood, one of the first things you'll want to do is have your septic tank inspected and serviced. The septic tank will need to be pumped as soon as possible because silt and debris will have entered the system. Only pump your septic tank after the water has receded and never when your drainfield is saturated after a flood.

Make Sure to Repair Your Drainfield

If your drainfield does become damaged after a flood or if your septic tank has any other problems, make sure to contact septic tank services. The drainfield is an important part of your septic tank system and must be working correctly to avoid problems with the rest of your septic tank.

Contact a local septic tank service to learn more. 

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