April showers bring May… septic system failures? Although the flowers smell pretty, your faulty septic system probably doesn't. The spring season can bring with it a whole host of issues that can affect your septic system, from overflow and drainage issues to breaks in the tank.
If you've been wondering how the spring weather affects your septic system, look no further. Scorpion Septic is here for you. Below, we'll take you through the issues that can crop up as the seasons change. A septic tank full of water when it rains doesn't do anyone any good!
Schedule regular maintenance, routine inspections, and septic system overhauls with Scorpion Septic today!
Spring Means Rain, Lots of Rain
One of the most frequent challenges Scorpion Septic sees when spring comes around is the increased amount of water in the ground due to rainfall and snowmelt.
When your drain field becomes oversaturated due to spring showers, it struggles to intake and treat the effluent buildup from the septic tank. You might even see a septic tank bubbling after heavy rain. This is an indicator that the waterlogged soil can no longer effectively filter the wastewater.
Although there isn't much you can do about rain, what you can do is keep an eye on your septic system. If you see divots in your lot, pools of water around the drainage field, or hear bubbling in your sink or other drains, you can be pretty sure that your system is clogged with rainwater.
Roots and Shrubs
Spring is the time when plants thrive. While growing roots might be good for the trees, those same roots can invade your septic system, causing clogs and breakages to occur.
The same thing can apply to shrubs on the soil's surface. Overgrowth can block your drain field, reducing the efficacy of your soil drainage.
So, can too much rain cause septic problems? Yes, of course, and often in ways you didn't imagine.
It's important to keep tabs on tree and shrub growth around your drain field and near your septic tank to ensure your system isn't blocked from effective operation.
Changes to Your Soil
As spring settles in, so does the soil. It can be compacted due to increased rainfall or shifts after changes to the temperature, especially in Georgia.
Changes to your soil can affect the alignment of pipes, damage tank walls, or destabilize distribution boxes. You might even notice depressions or sinkholes around your drain field or over the tank. These can indicate further issues below the surface.
Flooding and Soil Contamination
Beyond typical rainfall, many areas experience intense flooding that can introduce damaging fertilizers, chemicals, and debris to your septic system.
Septic systems rely on bacterial growth to break down waste, and chemical runoff may actually kill the beneficial bacteria required. As the area floods and runoff comes from the surrounding area, surface water can invade the system through cracked or unsecured covers. This can clog the drainage area, reducing its overall effectiveness.
Thinking about how to reduce water in the septic tank? It's important to establish an adequate maintenance schedule and inspect the drainage areas regularly to prevent backups. Otherwise, you may be paying thousands of dollars to replace the system entirely.
Spring Cleaning? More Water
As winter peels back its layers to reveal warmer, happier spring, many people finally feel more motivated to deep clean. Spring cleaning often increases water usage, introducing more water to the septic system.
It's important to understand that the more you reduce your water usage, the less strain is put on your septic system. Even when deep cleaning your bathrooms and hosing down the side of your house, it's useful to implement water-saving techniques to keep your system running smoothly.
Spreading your water-intensive tasks over several days can minimize the risk to your drainage field and septic tank. Otherwise, you might find yourself with drainage overflow due to the increased water intake in soil that's already waterlogged.
Inspection and Maintenance
Spring is the perfect time to schedule septic tank and drain field inspection and maintenance. With increased water flow and usage requirements, spring is actually the busiest season for septic tank experts.
A septic specialist can often spot issues that you might overlook, like a bubbling tank or a slow-draining sink. Plus, regularly checking scum and sludge layers is necessary to ensure your system is working properly. As those layers build at the beginning of spring, it's important to identify and get ahead of any problems they might cause.
It's essential to set up a regular maintenance schedule with your septic specialist. Yearly inspections and pumps every three to four years will save you a mountain of money in the long term. Not to mention the headache of a broken system!
Scorpion Septic for All Your Spring Cleaning Needs
Cleaning out your septic tank and drain lines is an important part of any spring cleaning list. If you've been wondering who's the best fit for the job, wonder no longer.
Scorpion Septic Services has a ton of experience dealing with all types of septic system issues in the springtime. From drain cleaning to tank repair and site inspection, our guys have got you covered.
Don't wait until you already have problems bubbling up on your lawn. Contact us today to receive a free quote!