How to Manage Your Septic System During a Power Outage
During a power outage, electrical components in your septic system will stop working. That means your septic system won’t work. Depending on the duration of the outage, this may or may not present a big problem for you.
Lakeland Septic Company of Lakeland, FL, has served our customers for more than 15 years, making sure their septic systems work correctly and at peak efficiency. Here are some things to know about how power outages can affect a septic system.
Two types of septic systems
The two main types of septic systems are:
1. On-demand pumping systems
These systems crank on when the effluent level in the septic tank reaches a specified level. A concern with these systems is that they could overwhelm the drain field after power is restored following an outage.
2. Timer pumping systems
Timer systems run on a preset timer, so after a power outage, they’ll just pick up where they left off and won’t overload the drain field.
If you aren’t sure what kind of pumping system you have, schedule an inspection and follow your septic technician’s advice on dealing with the system should the power go off.
Actions to take (and not take) during a power outage
When electrical power cuts out, everything that drains from your home into the septic tank will not be processed; rather, it will sit in the tank until power is restored. With that in mind, here are some things to do and not do:
- Turn off the breaker that controls your septic system so the pump won’t try to run without power
- Take shorter showers
- Don’t wash laundry
- Use sink water sparingly
- Avoid flushing toilets if it’s possible to do so
When the power comes back on
To err on the side of caution, schedule an inspection with your local septic provider before turning septic system circuit breakers back on after a power outage.
Your technician will look for:
- Damage to pipes, manway covers and risers
- Electrical wiring that’s exposed
- Stability issues with the ground and soil around the septic tank
- Signs of problems in the adjacent drain field
- Septic leaks evidenced by odors in the air and wet sections of ground near the tank or drain field
Your technician will also watch the way your system is running and make sure everything is working the way it should. Depending on the length of the power outage and the type of pumping system you have, some troubleshooting may be necessary to restore safety and efficiency.
Routine and emergency septic service in Lakeland, FL
Lakeland Septic is ready to help with both routine and emergency septic services – whether or not we were the ones who installed your system. We’ll help you during a power outage, and we’ll be quick to respond for emergency pumpouts and repairs at other times.
We’ll also be there to provide regularly scheduled septic service and maintenance performed by highly trained technicians who know your system inside and out.
Get your septic system running right and keep it that way by calling the experts at Lakeland Septic. If you prefer, you can contact us with our handy contact form.
