Hawaii isn’t a strange place to encounter earthquakes. The island of Maui has its share, so residents do their best to prepare for quakes large and small. But you can’t ever prepare too much. The shaking can damage anything, even the unseen structures you depend on, like your septic tank.
Earthquakes Can Damage or Destroy your Septic System
Your septic system is exactly that, a system. Don’t think of it as one thing. Aside from the large tank, your septic system has a network of pipes that let excess moisture out into the soil and other components that might be unique to your environment or situation.
Since the pipes that comprise the drain field are made of PVC plastic, they might be some of the first places to expect damage after an earthquake. The plastic is far from indestructible and can collapse under pressure, or break if bent too far. The rapid shaking of earthquakes can loosen pipe joints, break lines of pipe or shatter whole sections all at once.
Because many septic tanks are made with plastic or fiberglass, there is danger of collapse or cracking in the tank as well. Concrete and metal tanks may resist quake damage better than other materials, but even these should be checked after quakes.
How Do I Know if my Septic System has been Damaged?
A damaged septic system might not be obvious at first. The most obvious signs would be sewage backup in your home’s plumbing or a collapse of the soil above your septic tank. You might also notice changes to your drain field as signs of broken pipes or other concerns.
If you think your septic system has been damaged, the professionals at Maui Pumping can inspect and identify cracks, broken pipes and more. Call us today or schedule an appointment online for septic maintenance or to have a new septic system installed.
