The rainy season is just around the corner, heavy rain can wreck havoc on your septic system. Not only making it difficult for the system to do its job, it can cause long term damage and problems. Which can be compounded if routine maintenance wasn’t received.
Your Septic System And Heavy Rain
To prevent any problems before Central Florida’s rainy season starts, you need to understand the effects of all the water. All this rain can cause three main problems.
Excess Water Flow
While the purpose of your septic tank is to accommodate the wastewater from your home, it can only hold so much water. If the wastewater merges with the rainwater, it is a recipe for disaster. The tank will receive more water than it can handle, filling up, which leads to overwhelming the drain field and causing water to back up into your drains.
Clogged Drain Field
As the waste water filters through the septic tank, it flows into the drain field. This is where the bacteria “digest” the organic substances. This where the water is cleaned and then filtered into the surrounding soil.
The ground becomes saturated during heavy rain, which means the drain field can properly absorb the waste water or allow it to filter into the soil.
If waste water is still going into the septic tank, it has to go somewhere. If the tank and drain field are full, then it will go back into the house. The overflow can cause stinky odors, gurgling pipes, and slow drains.
Contaminated Groundwater
When the drain field is saturated, it can’t do its job of filtering the water through the soil. Instead, untreated waste water will find its way into the soil, before it is purified. Which can easily lead to contaminating ground water.
A good rule of thumb, if you don’t think the water is draining out of the septic tank, don’t put more in!
The rainy season is fast approaching, if you suspect a problem with your septic system, whether residential or commercial, don’t hesitate to contact Orlando Septic Services. We are here to help you with all your waste management needs!
Don’t forget to check back with us next week, when we talk about how to prepare your septic system for the rainy season.
