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Will My Septic System Work Without Power?
It's April in Ohio which means heavy winds, rain storms and power outages. If you have a pump septic system you may be asking how the septic system works without power. Will you be able to flush the toilet if the power is out? Can you do laundry or take showers? We use this post to provide an explanation about what's happening to your septic system when the power is out and why you want to be strategic about your water use during a power outage.
If your power outage is scheduled do to construction or septic system replacement, remember that Double Flush also rents porta potties. Contact us for long-term or short-term portable toilet rentals:
Will My Septic System Still Work When My Power is Out.?
Yes. Your septic system will work without power but if your power fails it is important to be water wise. Pump septic systems do need electricity to move effluent (liquid sewage) from the septic tank into the drainfield.
How does my pump septic system work without power?
If you have a septic system with a pump, your system relies on electricity to pump the wastewater into the drainfield, so how does it still work without power? Simple. All the liquid sewage you flush into the septic, as well as the other water you use, is held in the pump tank until the power returns and the pump moves the effluent into the drainfield.
How Much Water Can You Use When the Power Is Out?
If you have a septic system, during a power outage you want to be smart about how much you flush, how much you shower and overall water use. A typical pump tank will have 300 - 500 gallons of extra space available to be used for pump failures or power outages. With that being the case, it is important to judge how long you think the power will be out to determine how to conserve. When the pump tank is full, you will be backed-up until the power comes back. The objective is not to fill the pump tank so that you can still flush the toilet without power.
How Long Will the Power Outage Last?
When determining how much to flush, shower and use water for dishes and laundry you first want to think about how long the power will be out. For example, if it's a big storm and there are wide-spread power outages, then it will likely take longer to restore power. Superstorm Sandy of 2012 had many areas without power for three days or more. In a case like that, it's wise to limit showers, avoid doing laundry and be very strategic about your water use by following these tips:
- Take short showers
- Don't wash laundry
- Don't let the water run while brushing your teeth
- Keep your toilet flushes for solids
- Don't let the water run when washing dishes
- fill one sink with water to soak dirty dishes when necessary.
REDUCE EMERGENCY SEPTIC SERVICES WITH MAINTENANCE
You can do your part to keep your septic tank healthy and reduce the frequency of septic tank pumping. First, don't put anything down your septic system that is non-biodegradable, such as cigarette butts, diapers, paper towels, and more. Plus, installing an effluent filter, which helps to decrease the number of solids that leave the tank helps promote your septic tank's health.
THINGS THAT SHOULD NEVER GO IN YOUR SEPTIC TANK
- Grease
- Rags and strings
- Coffee grounds
- Paper towels
- Baby wipes
- Sanitary napkins and tampons
- Diapers
- Cigarette butts
- Antibacterial soaps
- Trash
- Condoms
- Bandages
- Dental Floss
- Cat Litter
- Pharmaceuticals
- Other non-degradable products
24/7 EMERGENCY SEPTIC SERVICES NEAR YOU
We service the Northern Ohio area; are service area includes Erie, Lorain, Wayne, Portage, Summit, Stark and Medina Counties. Our family-owned septic company is the one to call for all of your emergency septic tank services, including septic tank pumping. We can work around your schedule when it's convenient for you, including working on weekends and evenings. Our team offers efficient septic tank pumping, so we take up as little of your time as possible. We take our time to ensure your septic tank looks good and is in good shape for the future. Rest assured, when you partner with our local, family-owned septic company, your Northern Ohio home or business will be well served. Call to get started today!
We Strive to be the Best Septic Cleaning Company!
Karen KirchnerJune 19, 2024
Have been in my home 30 + years and Double Flush is hands down the best septic service I have ever dealt with...price, work quality and all around kindness.....it is hard to find this kind of service anymore....thank you Double Flush!!
Volodymyr Huver (VOVA)June 18, 2024Very fast, friendly and very good price!! Was scheduled for Tuesday but I asked if there was anyway if they could come sooner and I got a call on Monday saying they can come out, very satisfied
Tiffani RiterMay 30, 2024I'm really happy we had them come out. We don't know much about our septic system and Scott answered all of them, and gave us peace of mind. Happy to have a great company so close.
Michael BischofMay 16, 2024I bought a house a year ago with a septic system. Not my first one but since I wasn't sure how long it has been since it was last pumped, I called Double Flush. Scott came out and looked at my whole system and explained how it worked. They determined that I was good for another year and said no charge for the call. I was surprised since they could have just as easily pumped it like I asked and collected their fee. I am grateful for the peace of mind and I will definitely be calling them again.
Steve HannaApril 25, 2024They have an amazing customer service. Tried to schedule same day but not likely. But Tracy was doing her best to try to get it done.
Adrianne KasperApril 22, 2024They responded quickly, arrived exactly on time, got the job done very fast, and provided excellent service at a very reasonable price.
Sandy HansonApril 16, 2024WOW!! We had an emergency situation with our septic and after a few phone calls including the septic company we have used for 20 years no one was able to help us for a couple of days until we called Double Flush Septic Services! Tracey answered the phone, she was very kind and professional. She understood our emergency and said she was going to contact Scott to see if they could squeeze us into his busy schedule. She called us back within a couple of minutes and stated they could help us with our emergency! Within a couple of hours Scott was here at our home taking care of our situation. He was also SO very kind and helpful to answer all my questions and concerns. What a pleasant experience with a septic emergency! We now have a new septic system company that we will be using! We were SO impressed with the customer service that Double Flush Septic Services gave us from the initial call to our septic emergency being fixed. Thank you Tracey and Scott!! We would HIGHLY recommend this company!!
RonApril 4, 2024Had emergency septic tank problems. They were very quick to respond and were very professional. Going to have my yearly services done by them from now on!
Rhiannon WilliamsMarch 30, 2024My new septic company. 1000% recommended. They took the time to correct issues other companies had made. Prompt and affordable.
Lynn LeonardMarch 28, 2024Excellent service and answered all questions, Highly recommend Double Flush for all septic services. They are reliable.