Septic Care After an Earthquake

Even a relatively mild earthquake can lead to damage such as crushed, bent, or fractured lines in your septic system. If you live in an area that is prone to earthquakes, you need to know the risks earthquakes can pose to your septic system and what to do if your system is damaged by an earthquake.

Here are some steps to take when caring for your septic system after an earthquake has passed.

1. Put Safety First
After any earthquake, you need to look out for aftershocks. Don't engage in any activities that could become more dangerous if another earthquake happens. Although many earthquakes come with aftershocks, you can't predict whether an aftershock (or several) will occur.

So when you're looking over your home and septic system to assess the damage after an earthquake, don't put yourself in any potentially compromising positions. For instance, don't get up on a ladder or open your septic tank lid. During any inspections, repairs, or replacements (for both your septic system and the rest of your home), put safety first.

Another important safety concern is collapsing septic tanks. A damaged septic tank could collapse if walked on, so never walk over your tank, especially after an earthquake.

2. Check for Obvious Problems
Once you deem it safe to start checking over your home for damage, you'll want to give your septic system a quick check as well. Water rising up from the ground or pooling on the surface, bad smells coming from the septic area, or visible damage to your septic tank lid all call for immediate intervention.

Even if all looks well, you'll need to keep an eye out for signs of trouble over the next few days and weeks. Some possible delayed signs of damage include:

• Drains slowing down or backing up
• Mushy spots that appear in your yard gradually
• Grass over the septic area that grows extra-lush and green

If you're unsure whether your system has been damaged or not, call for an inspection anyway just to give you some peace of mind. After all, you're better safe than sorry.

3. Stop Using the System If You Suspect Damage
If your septic system has been damaged by the earthquake, sewage could leak into your yard. And in some situations (such as when a line is crushed), water may start to back up the line, and you could end up with sewage in your home. In either event, you can see why you'd need to stop putting water down the drains until the issue is fixed.

If you suspect your main drain line, septic tank, leach field, or other septic component has sustained damage, you need to immediately stop putting water down any of your drains. Some ways to avoid using the drains include:

• Turn off your water softener if it's connected to the septic system.
• Don't flush toilets while waiting for septic repairs.
• Place large bowls in sinks to catch rinse water, then dump it outside.
• Don't let any water down the bathtub or shower drains.
• Don't use the dishwasher or washing machine.

These precautions can help you reduce the chances of sewage backup entering your home while you wait for septic inspection and repairs.

4. Call for Inspection and Pumping
Whether you suspect damage based on symptoms or loss of function or whether you're simply looking for peace of mind, you can call a septic contractor to come out and give your system a thorough inspection.

The contractor can pump out your tank and then check the empty tank for damage such as cracks. They can also use a video line inspection camera to get a look at the insides of all pipes associated with your septic system to see if any obvious damage appears.

For more information about pumping and inspections for septic tanks and septic systems, get in touch with our office today. JT Sanitation is a full-service company that specializes in all things septic system.