Plumbing and Septic Problems Barnegat
After so many storms over the last few months and years our streets and towns are flooding, what happens to your septic tank and leach fields. This is a good question? Most plumbing are going to tell you not too it a only a temporary solution. Under worst conditions, pumping it out could cause the tank to try to float out of the ground and may damage the inlet and outlet pipes. The best solution is to plug all drains in the basement and drastically reduce water use in the house. In Barnegat we have had many day of flooding water to think about.
Have your septic tank professionally inspected and serviced if you suspect damage. Signs of damage include settling or an inability to accept water. Most septic tanks are not damaged by flooding since they are below ground and completely covered. However, septic tanks and pump chambers can fill with silt and debris, and must be professionally cleaned. If the soil absorption field is clogged with silt, a new system may have to be installed.
Do not use the system. Turn off water softeners to prevent them from regeneration. Turn off all the system’s electric devices (pumps, alarms, etc.)
If you are using water from a flooded well, it may be contaminated. Contact a well professional or your county about a water test.
What happens after the water recedes can I used the system again or not? Don’t use the system until The soil has adequately dried to allow sewage to be absorbed and not back-up. This may take several weeks. You should try to conserve water until the system is completely dry.
All tanks have been checked to see if they contain floodwaters. If so, the tanks should be pumped to keep the silt particles from entering the soil system. If the tanks have not been anchored, do not pump until the water level in the soil is below the tank.
Effluent screens (if any) are cleaned
