How to Keep Rainwater Out of a Septic Tank at Home
Flooding can happen to any of you at any time. From hurricanes to poor plumbing, it’s a given that you will experience some flooding at some point in your lives. However, if you have a septic tank and don’t want to have sewage backups or overflows, then you must take the time now to prepare for the worst-case scenario – flooding. Follow these steps below and safeguard your septic tank from disaster!
This article will take a deeper look at:
- Signs of flooded septic tanks
- The dangers and
- How to handle the situation
Signs of a Brimming Septic Tank Include:
Toilets backing up
If the toilets or drains are sluggish or won’t go down at all following a rainstorm, you may need to have the sewage pumped out of your septic tank, as it has likely been overloaded by rainwater.
Sewage Backup
A sewage backup, will not only affect your septic tank but the pipes and drains in your home as well.
Overflowing
When wastewater from the house enters an overloaded septic tank, that’s when things become very unpredictable, and can even cause harm to your home or overflow into your yard.
Slow Drainage
If your water isn’t draining after a rain or flooding event, it’s probably not because of a clog in the pipes connecting to your septic system, but rather a result of your septic system being inundated with rainwater.
Dangers of an Overfull Septic Tank Include:
Sewage Backup
When your septic tank floods, the sewage will be forced to either overflow out into your yard or actually start overflowing the fixtures inside your house!
Overflowing
If you have a full-on swampy mess going on due to excessive flooding, then that means it’s time to get an emergency septic pumping.
Sewage Plumbing Leak
If the sewage leaks through cracks in the plumbing inside your house, it can be a hazard for you and any visitors who come by, not to mention a costly cleanup process and repairs.
What To Do When Your Tank Is Flooding
Stay Calm. If you’re in a panic, then it will be difficult for anyone to help.
Remind Friends and Family not to flush anything non-biodegradable down the toilet or drain as this will only make matters worse. Make an attempt to plug any overflowing drains to prevent sewage from flooding inside your home.
Be Prepared to Move Out. Your home may not be safe for long once the sewage is backing up into the house. If you have rainwater in the septic tank, consider these tips now to safeguard it in case of disaster!
How To Keep Rainwater From Flooding Your Septic Tank
Here are some steps to keep fluid out:
First, check the guttering and downspouts for clogs or obstructions that can cause water to drain improperly. Put a gutter downspout screen on your roof to keep debris and leaves out of it, which can cause it to clog up with sediment and limit its ability to drain water away effectively. Next, ensure your downspouts are not emptying out on top of the ground near your septic tank.
If possible, make sure all downspouts go into piping that carries the rainwater to a different location than your septic system. If you have frequent problems with rainwater flooding your septic system, call us for a quote or a referral to a local contractor who can re-grade your yard and install drainage to protect your septic system and home from heavy rain events.
Tips for Better Management
- Add an access cover to your tank for easier inspection and maintenance of the system’s components.
- Make sure the ground around your septic tank is all sloping away from the tank.
- During the next rain, watch to see where the water ponds in your yard. Make sure no part of your septic system is located underneath this area of ponding.
Hopefully, this post has helped you learn how to safeguard your septic tank from filling with rainwater.
If you need to schedule a septic tank cleaning, pumping, or inspection, don’t hesitate to call Strombeck Bros. at 574-498-3370 any time.