Septic tanks and hurricanes generally do not go hand in hand. This weekend in the eastern ocean border states, A possible hurricane may pass thru. It may be a massive rain event too. Either way, heavy rain, and your septic tank do not agree with each other at all.
Septic drain fields are designed to move wastewater away from the septic tank. Septic drain fields do not have a one-way valve. Wastewater can move from inside the drain field pipe out. It can also move from outside the drain pipe into your drain field and fill up your septic tank. I know that was a mouth full to read but very important to read and understand. Some people have built a french drain around their septic drain field to catch surface rainwater. They have rerouted it away from their drain field in an environmentally friendly way. If the soil above your drain field is pitched towards the french drain, rainwater from a hurricane will naturally flow in that direction. This is ideal because you do not want rainwater or even snow to sit on top of your drain field.
Avoid ponding of rainwater on top of your drain field at all costs. If you see this happening, dig a ditch. This will move the rainwater away from your septic drain field. Do this even in a rain but be careful doing this!
What to do if your drain field is was flooded?
You must stop using all water. Remove the flooded rainwater off and away from the top of your drain field. You should also get your septic tank pumped dry to let the drain field dry out. Your drain field then has to energize its septic bacteria population but some help is needed here.The BioForce Combo Special must be used in your septic tank to bring back your important hungry septic bacteria. Use 2 gallons in your septic tank right after pumping. Two weeks later, use another 2 gallons with one pack of the BioForce Bacterial Waste Liquefier. When your septic tank fills up to normal level, it doses septic bacteria into your drain field. This action helps get it back to normal.
What if my drain field does not drain?
I would get your septic tank pumped again, but not to the bottom. Locate your “D” Box. Pump your drain field as dry as possible. Pour our product called BioForce MAX or the HD PRO septic tank bacteria into each line leaving your “D” box. Go very lightly on your water for a month. Sometimes a pond on top of drain fields causes issues. The biomat around the drain field pipe may block the holes in your leach field’s drainpipe. It can also back up your septic tank. The BioForce MAX would help the holes open back up. BioMat is mother nature’s own filter and that makes biomat a good thing.
I hope you find these tips helpful. If you have any questions please go to SepticTankBacteria.com