Spring showers bring flowers, but they can present troubles with the septic system. Have you ever had your septic tank alarm go off after a particularly severe rainstorm? Have your sinks and toilets backed up due to excessive rain? It’s critical to understand how heavy rains can affect your septic system, as well as what you can do to prepare for the next rainy season and avoid problems before they occur. It is good when your rainwater tank pump fills up with water but it is not a good sign when your septic tank fills up. In this blog, we will discuss how rainfall can affect your septic system.
Why Does My Septic Tank Fill Up When It Rains?
The drain field of your septic system, which is the only component exposed to the weather, is the source of the majority of rain-related problems. Heavy rainstorms can result in a variety of septic system issues, such as ground flooding and clogged drainpipe.
Ground Flooding
It is possible for the ground around the drain field to flood if there is a lot of rain. The drainpipe’s job is to cleanse water before dispersing it safely into the surrounding soil. Your septic tank was built to hold a specific volume of wastewater. However, if rainfall mixes with the wastewater, the tank may become overflowing with liquid. Water will not be able to flow out of the septic system.
Water from the septic tank can overflow and pool in your yard if it has nowhere else to go. Worse, it can back up into your home’s drains and toilets.
Clogged drain field
Another potential issue for the septic system’s drain field is heavy rain. When it rains, water might collect inside this component. The drain field will be unable to absorb wastewater properly if it becomes saturated. There will be nowhere else for the water to go, and it may overflow your septic tank. Over time, this overflow can produce clogged drains, gurgling pipes, and unpleasant aromas in your plumbing.
A clogged drain field can also allow untreated sewage to run into the groundwater, where it can leak into nearby 6streams, posing a major threat to the environment.
Tips on how to Keep Rainwater Out of Your Septic Tank
While severe rains can cause serious septic problems, there are a number of things you can do to prepare your septic system for any incoming storms. Here are some suggestions for keeping your septic tank safe from heavy rain and preventing backups:
- Pay attention to what goes down the drain: Many things should not be flushed into your septic tank, from feminine hygiene products or paper towels to pouring oil or chemicals into the sink. Keep in mind what you flush or pour down the toilet.
- Redirect runoff from the drain field Runoff water paired with a wet ground can produce a slew of issues in your drain field. Runoff water should be directed away from your drain field, and gutters should be directed away as well.
- Keep cars and other vehicles away from the drain field: Vehicles compact the soil around the drain field eld, reducing the area’s absorption.
Conserve water during rainstorms: Try to minimise high water usage, such as extended showers, baths, and laundry, when it’s raining.