Septic systems require a specific setup to perform their job, and sometimes factors such as heavy rain and flooded yards can affect their ability to treat household wastewater. When the soil around septic tanks becomes oversaturated, the tank itself can flood, allowing unfiltered waste to escape into your yard or home. If rain is frequent where you live, it’s crucial to understand how the weather can impact your septic system. 

How Heavy Rain Can Impact Your Septic Tank

Why Your Septic Tank Is at Risk of Flooding in Rain

Septic tanks empty wastewater liquids into a drain field, where natural processes in the soil filter and break down the waste. When soil becomes oversaturated from rain, the drain field can flood. If the drain field floods, the septic tank has nowhere to empty its liquid contents, causing it to back up and become flooded.

What Are the Signs of a Flooded Septic Tank?

The signs of a flooded tank are similar to those of other septic tank problems, such as clogged pipes or already full tanks. When they become flooded, tanks cause backups of sewage in household drains, and the drain field itself stays flooded long after the rain has passed. Often, the ground feels soggy and has a foul odor.

How to Repair a Flooded Tank

While it might seem intuitive to contact a specialist to have your flooded septic tank pumped, doing so could cause the tank to shift in the ground, damaging the inlet and outlet pipes. Instead, the drain field needs time to dry. One way to accomplish this is by reducing the use of any machines or faucets that use water by limiting showers, laundry, and cleaning. Similarly, you can prevent flooding in the first place by reducing your water usage during rain and not disturbing the soil around your tank.

Residents in Douglas, GA, can get expert help from A & C Septic Tanks & Portable Toilets anytime their septic tanks flood. Specializing in portable toilet rentals for parties and septic system repairs, these septic system professionals is locally owned and operated. If you experience a flooded tank, call (912) 383-7005 or visit them online for additional contact information.