The Effect of Rain on Your Septic Tank System in Waikato
Your septic tank can suffer a wide range of problems when it rains. Our team in the Waikato has been providing cleaning and maintenance to septic tanks in residential and commercial buildings for over 20 years. In this article, we talk about how rain affects your septic tank, explain the signs of septic tank flooding, outline some preventative measures, and explain how to address a flooded septic tank. Contact one of our team today for a quote.
How Winter Can Affect Your Septic Tank System
Winter can bring excessive rain and cause a lot of issues for your septic tank system. A large amount of excess water could cause the contamination of water sources and health hazards for your property. Your septic tank allows for waste material to flow through a drain field to purify before dispersing into the soil. With large amounts of rain the soil becomes waterlogged, which limits the ability of the drain field to release liquid. As it fails or becomes slow to drain your septic tank has nowhere to drain, which can cause the tank to back up and overflow.
Signs of Septic Tank Problems When it Rains
Flooding issues with your septic tank water can be identified easily, with symptoms similar to a blocked drain or a system in need of a clean. It’s important to know how to identify the main signs of a flooded septic tank. Symptoms can include:
- Your drains are emptying sluggishly
- You can hear gurgling in your drains
- Your drains are backing up
- Your toilet is slow to flush
Preventing Septic Tank Problems
There are various precautions you can take to prevent your septic tank filling with rainwater.
Maintain Your Tank Regularly
This is the best thing you can do to preserve your septic tank during heavy rainfall. Getting it cleaned every 3 years will help prevent your septic tank filling with rainwater and overflowing.
Keep Vehicles Away
Heavy vehicles, like cars or farming machinery, compress the soil around your drain field. This can limit how effective the soul is at absorbing liquid.
Lower Your Water Usage During Heavy Rain
Try to use less water during days where there is significant rainfall. Long baths, showers and continuous laundry cycles can cause your septic system to overflow.
How to Fix a Flooded Septic Tank
You must seek professional help to fix septic tank problems when it rains, rather than attempting to make repairs yourself. The problem lies in the saturated soil in the drain field, not the septic tank. The best solution is to minimise use of your system until the soil around your tank dries out, but sometimes the only option if to clean your tank for temporary relief in heavy rainfall.
Heavy rains can cause your septic tank to overflow, which can cause a variety of issues. Give our team in the Waikato a call today or contact us online for a quote.
