Everyone whose plumbing is hooked up to a septic tank is well aware of just how quickly problems can arise both inside and outside the home—especially in areas near water fixtures and the tank itself. But in addition to clogged pipes and malfunctioning components, significant heavy rains can also put your septic system at risk. Luckily for you, there are things you can do to prevent ending up with a flooded drain field or an indoor sewage backup in your home before, during or after a rainstorm.
Are you ready for the rain? Here are some good tips to reduce the impact of the rainy season on your septic tank installation in Modesto, CA.
Before the rains get heavy
- The beginning of the rainy season is a good time to inspect your septic system and perform regular maintenance tasks. Call in the pros if you run into any damage or suspect that something is wrong with any part of the system.
- If you live in an area where it rains often, or if the forecast calls for heavy rain, seriously consider getting the tank pumped. A mostly full septic tank will only make things worse should it flood, which is a situation that’s more than likely to send the tank’s contents into your home by way of drains and toilets.
During a rain storm
- Living with a septic system gets you into a routine different from if you had a standard plumbing system—you know what to do and not to do during a rainstorm. First, you want to avoid flushing the toilets too often and, if possible, skip taking a shower. Also, don’t use the dishwasher. Same goes for the washing machine—leave the dishes and laundry for later.
- It also makes sense to keep a close watch on your septic tank installation in Modesto, CA during periods of heavy rain. This ensures that your toilets, sinks, showers and drains are all working properly and won’t turn into a flood risk. Here’s what to watch for: slow flushing toilets, strange sounds coming from piping, and basement or garage floor drains gurgling up water.
After a powerful rainfall
- As soon as you can, check all the components of your septic system. See if there’s standing water over the leach field that doesn’t go away after a rainstorm, as this means liquid from the septic tank cannot escape. Prevent a backup into your house with a call to a septic service to schedule a post-storm inspection and maintenance.
- After the water recedes completely from the area, open the tank to find out if sediment or other natural debris got into the tank during the storm. If so, have the tank pumped as soon as possible.
For the sake of your septic system and your sanity, it’s important to ensure that your drain field and septic tank do not get flooded during the wet months. If you’d like an inspection or you run into issues with your septic tank installation in Modesto, CA this season, don’t hesitate to contact the knowledgeable team at Alvarado Pumping Septic Service.