What to Do if the Area Surrounding a Septic System Has Been Recently Flooded

Flooding is one of the most common natural disasters affecting the U.S., especially in wetter coastal states like Florida. When an area is flooded, it can have a devastating effect on the local community, with a lot of homes being damaged and people being displaced for a period of time.

After the flood waters subside, the cleanup and repair process begins. Structural damage will be attended to and mud and other debris removed from within homes. One thing many people overlook, though, is the effect flooding has on a septic system. It is important to check all septic systems that have been flooded and observe some rules to ensure safety and reduce the risk of harmful sewage contamination.

• Do not pump out a septic tank during a flood or while the surrounding ground is still saturated with water, as this could cause the tank to float slightly and cause damage to the tank itself, as well as the inlet and outlet pipes.

• Do not drink water from a well located near a septic tank until the water has been tested, as sewage from the tank may have been carried into the well by the flooding.

• Be careful about driving vehicles over or near to a septic system. This is always a bad idea, but is even worse after a flood, as saturated ground compacts more easily, and compaction reduces the efficiency of the drain field.

• Check that that the septic tank’s manhole cover is still intact and undamaged.

• Examine the grass above the septic tank and drain field to see if there is damage/erosion caused by the flooding. If so, repair and reseeding needs to be done as soon as possible.

If you need service on your septic system in Lakeland FL or would simply like more information, contact us at Southeastern Septic. Our owner, Shane Ray, has over 10 years of experience, and we are committed to providing quality service at affordable prices. Give us a call today!