If the soil around your house and septic system is still flooded, do not use your sinks and toilets. Your septic system will not work if it is saturated (if it is full of water and cannot absorb any more).
After a flood, contact your local municipal authority or a qualified septic system installer to have a professional evaluation of potential damage to your septic system from the flood and receding flood water.
How will I know if the flood damaged my septic system or my septic field?
Signs that your septic tank was damaged by a flood may include:
- settling or sinking of the soil around your septic tank or septic field
- new holes in the soil around your septic tank and septic field
- household wastewater is not draining properly, such as sinks draining very slowly or not at all and toilets making strange noises when you flush them
- water backing up in the floor drain in your basement
- sewage ponding on the ground outside of your home
Do not use your septic system if you think that it is damaged.
The septic tank, pump chamber, or leaching field may also be clogged by silt or debris from the flood water. If this has happened, contact a qualified professional to review the issue. Do not try to do this on your own, as there are dangerous gases inside your septic tank.
What should I do first?
- Check to see if all septic tank maintenance covers are still in place.
- Repair any damaged tank outlet covers, and replace any missing tank outlet covers immediately.
- Restrict the amount of water being used in your home.
- Avoid laundry at home if possible (use a laundromat if possible).
- Avoid using the dishwasher or garbage disposal.
- Redirect water from your roof downspouts away from the septic field.
- Reduce showers or baths.
- Do not have water from your sump pump going into the septic system.
- Contact your local municipal authority or a qualified septic system installer to have a professional evaluation of potential damage to your septic system from the flood and receding flood water.
Do not drive equipment or vehicles over your septic field. Wet soils compact more quickly, which may cause damage to the septic field.
Do not set dumpsters or building materials on top of your septic field during clean-up and rebuilding. This may damage your septic system.
Should I pump out my septic tank right away?
No. Do not pump out your septic tank when the soil around the tank or the drainage field is still saturated with water. This may cause the septic tank to float and break out of the ground, damaging the tank inlet and outlet pipes.
When can I use my septic system again?
Avoid using your septic system again
until:
- It has been checked to make sure it hasn’t been damaged by the flood. This check should also include the tank outlet baffle and filter.
- The standing water in the septic field is lower than the water level around your house or buildings.
- All electrical connections have been checked for damage. Do this before restoring electricity to the pump.
Do not pump any floodwater from inside your home into the sink or toilet.
When can I have my septic system worked on?
Wait until the soils around your septic tank and field are dry and no longer saturated by flood water.
