Heavy rains add pressure to most septic systems. When the skies open, rainwater trickles into underlying layers and ends up raising your water table. A higher water table reduces how much space your septic system has to safely treat and dispose of water.
Because of this risk, you should pay extra attention to your septic system infrastructure during the rainy season. Here are some of the most common warning signs that may indicate heavy rain is affecting your septic system.
Watch for flooded drainfields
One of the most common signs that indicate damage from heavy rains is a flooded drainfield. Heavy rains trickle into the soil and underground water table, providing less filtration space for wastewater. This means that partially treated waste will clog the soil in your drainfield and cause flooding.
If you notice pools of water in your drainfield, there may be limited space for the effluent to trickle into underlying layers. Have a septic system service inspect your drainfield to rectify the flooding issue.
Monitor slow-moving drains
Another sign of heavy rain influence on your septic tank is slow-moving drains. When your drainfield becomes flooded, there is nowhere else for the effluent to go. Wastewater leaving your home may back up inside your drainage pipes, causing blockages. You may notice that the toilet doesn't flush well or your kitchen sink gets backed up often. In such cases, consider hiring a septic system service to inspect your tank and pipes for blockages.
Are you detecting foul odors?
Another impact of heavy rains is the slow breakdown of waste inside your septic tank. The excess water may affect the activity of the anaerobic bacteria, causing them to only partially break down waste. The consequence of this is untreated wastewater flowing into your drainfield and causing blockages. Furthermore, this untreated water will emit foul odors.
Controlling water levels in your drainfield could help prevent septic tank blockage and the overwhelming of bacteria.
Watch what you flush down the drain
Because your septic system is already under pressure during heavy rains, avoid flushing items that may cause blockages in your drainage pipes. Such items include sanitary towels, oils and fat, disinfecting wipes, and chemical waste. You can also reduce the workload that your septic system needs to handle by controlling laundry tasks and how often you turn on the dishwasher. Try to consolidate your clothes and dishes into as few cycles as possible.
To learn more, contact a company like LP Murray.
