Water extraction, drying and documentation for properties served by private wells and on-site septic systems affected by flooding.
Fastest: call (833) 490-5225. Or send this and we call you back.
A property served by a private well and septic system is flooded when surface water rises above the grade or when groundwater flooding affects the property. Extraction and drying proceed as with any flood, but the well water quality and the septic system integrity may need assessment after the flood recedes.
Rural-tier properties in the Brandywine area, particularly in Aquasco and Croom, often rely on private wells and on-site septic systems instead of public water and sewer. These properties are not served by WSSC Water. When flooding or heavy rain occurs, the well and the septic field can be affected by contamination or inundation.
A well that is inundated by flood water may have been contaminated with bacteria or silt. The water system may not be safe to use until the well is tested and cleaned. The septic system, if it is flooded, can fail and require pumping, inspection or even replacement.
The restoration work for water damage is the same: extraction, drying, cleaning and documentation. But after the flood, the property owner should test the well water and have the septic system inspected to ensure they are safe and functional.
Do not use the water until it has been tested by a qualified water testing service. The well may be contaminated with bacteria from the flood. Call your county health department or a well contractor for guidance on testing and well disinfection.
A flooded well usually needs shock chlorination or other treatment before the water is safe. A well contractor can advise on the best approach. In the meantime, use bottled water for drinking and cooking.
Have a septic service inspect the tank and the drainfield. If the system was inundated, the tank may need to be pumped and the system may need evaluation for cracks or damage. Do not use the system until inspection is complete.
A flooded septic system can fail and require expensive repair or replacement. Professional inspection is the first step. The inspection will show whether the system is still functional or whether repairs are needed.
Ask your county health department or neighbors for recommendations. Search online for well contractors and septic service providers in your area. Get estimates in writing before work begins.
The county health department usually has a list of approved services. Professional inspection and treatment after a flood are worth the cost to ensure the systems are safe.
Damage to the well or septic system from flood may or may not be covered depending on the policy. Water damage to the building from the flood is usually covered. Check with your insurer about what is and is not included.
Report the flood and document the damage with photographs. The damage documentation from the restoration technician will help with the insurance claim.
A flooded well is one that was inundated by water. A contaminated well is one where the water quality has been degraded by bacteria, chemicals or silt. Flooding can cause contamination, but not all contaminated wells are flooded.
Testing is the only way to know if the well water is safe. After a flood, assume the well is contaminated until testing proves otherwise.
Do not enter standing water if you do not know its source or depth. Do not use water from a well if there is any chance it was flooded or contaminated. Do not use the septic system if it was flooded or if inspection is pending. Use bottled water for drinking and cooking until the systems are confirmed safe. Call (833) 490-5225 if water is rising; do not wait to see how high it goes.
Standing water on the property is pumped or squeegeed away. The water depth is noted and the extent of flooding is photographed. The source is identified: surface runoff, groundwater rising, or both.
Moisture readings are taken to determine how far water penetrated the building. The well head and the septic field are examined to see if they were inundated. Recommendations are noted for testing or inspection.
Air movers and dehumidifiers are placed to dry the structure. The well and septic system are not part of the drying work, but their condition after the flood is noted in the damage documentation.
The technician explains that well water should be tested and the septic system should be inspected after a flood. Resources for finding a well technician and a septic service are provided. The documentation goes to the homeowner and their insurer.
Drying is monitored until the readings reach the baseline. The complete record of the flood, the damage, and the recommendations is provided to the homeowner. Insurance claims can then be filed.
A severe storm sends water across the property, inundating the yard and the building. The well head may be submerged or the water may run past it. The septic field is under water. The damage is to the structure and the contents; the well and septic are at risk of contamination.
A prolonged wet period raises the water table and water seeps up through the ground into the basement or crawl space. The well and septic are not submerged but may be stressed by the high water. The structure is drying the main concern.
Heavy rain adds surface water while the water table is already high. The combination can inundate both the structure and the well and septic systems. This is the worst-case scenario for a rural property.
Flood water damages the well casing or the septic tank. The well may have lost pressure or the septic may be cracked and leaking. These require professional inspection and repair or replacement.
Call any hour and explain what is going on. You get a clear price before any work starts.
Rural-tier properties in Aquasco and Croom are common in the Brandywine service area and typically rely on private wells and septic systems. Flooding in these areas can affect both the structure and the water system. The restoration technician handles the building water damage; a well contractor and septic service handle the systems.
Flash flooding is the common risk for rural properties in this area. A hard rain can send water across the property and into the building and the well and septic areas. Grading and drainage improvements can help manage runoff and protect the systems.
Call (833) 490-5225 immediately if flood water is rising on a rural property. The technician can advise on the immediate safety of the well and septic and can begin documentation for your insurer while emergency extraction is arranged.
Extraction, documented cleanup and structural drying for tidal flooding of the Potomac and Patuxent and flash flooding from heavy storms.
Pumping and extraction of standing water in Brandywine basements and commercial spaces, with the wet area documented as the water empties.
Moisture mapping, extraction, monitored drying and cleanup for Brandywine homes and businesses, with the estimate explained before work begins.
Not sure if you're covered? Check your ZIP code.
No. Well disinfection requires chemicals and procedures that a professional should handle. Call a well contractor. They can assess the damage, disinfect the well if needed, and test the water afterward.
Assessment and shock chlorination can be done in a day. Water testing may take a few days for results. Some wells may need more extensive treatment. Ask the well contractor for a timeline.
Cracks in the casing, damage to the pump or loss of pressure are signs of damage. The well may need repair or replacement. A well contractor can advise once the inspection is complete.
Grading and drainage are long-term solutions. Make sure water runs away from the well and the house. If the well is in a low spot, raising it or installing a protective barrier may help. Ask a well contractor or a drainage specialist.
A failed septic field has to be replaced. This is an expensive repair. A septic service can assess the damage and provide an estimate. In the meantime, do not use the system if possible.
Once every 1 to 3 years, depending on household size and usage. After a flood, inspection is mandatory to ensure the system was not damaged and is safe to use.
Yes. If the old system is damaged or failed, replacement is the solution. This is an expensive project that should be planned with a septic contractor. Insurance may cover part of it depending on the policy.