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Aerobic Tank Pumping + Heavy Rain = Floating Tank
South Texas has been blessed with lots of rain after years of drought. We are thankful for the rain, but it can cause a few septic system issues. Tanks can actually uproot from the ground and float after they are pumped!
Plastic tanks and fiberglass tanks are most susceptible to floating after pumping if heavy rain occurs. Plastic and fiberglass tanks are lighter than tanks made of concrete. We advise and require all our aerobic system customers to refill their tanks. The water can cause the tank to “float” off of the ground in the below situations:
- the water table rises
- there are springs in the area
- the ground is already saturated with heavy rain
- there is rainwater runoff over or around the tank
How can you prevent this from happening?
1. Fill the tank with water after it’s pumped to keep weight in the tank and prevent floating. Filling the tank with water doesn’t counteract pumping. Pumping a septic tank removes solids. The tank usually fills up within a week or so with liquids from household usage.
2. Divert rainwater runoff away from your system. This is recommended for all system types, regardless of pumping.
3. Avoid pumping the tank during wet seasons if there is a risk that the tank could float. As the homeowner, you know your property better than the company cleaning your septic tank. While some companies may advise you to fill the tank, it is the homeowner’s responsibility to take steps to prevent the tank from floating.
Need a septic tank pumping? Van Delden specializes in septic tank cleaning — we pump out an average of 2,500 tanks per year. If you would like a free phone quote to pump your tank, give us a call or contact us online. We have the experience to pump out your tank the best way, the right way, every time.