What Is A Septic System?
Your septic system is often overlooked in your home. Simply put, it takes all of the liquid waste that is flushed through your home's pipes and deposits it into a sort of filter that uses bacteria to clean out material so that wastewater can flow out into the ground surrounding your home.
Key components of a typical septic system include the septic tank, distribution box, and leach field (also known as absorption field). The septic tank is the initial receptacle where wastewater from toilets, sinks, showers, and laundry drains into.
In the tank, solids settle to the bottom, forming sludge, while lighter materials like grease and oils float to the top to create scum. Bacteria inside the tank break down the organic matter in the sewage, partially treating it.
Once treated, the liquid wastewater (effluent) flows out of the septic tank into the distribution box, which evenly distributes the effluent into the leach field through a series of perforated pipes. The leach field consists of underground trenches filled with gravel and soil.
Here, the effluent undergoes further treatment as it percolates through the soil, where natural processes help filter out harmful bacteria, viruses, and nutrients. Eventually, the treated effluent re-enters the groundwater or is evapotranspired into the atmosphere, completing the cycle.
The periodic pumping of the septic tank and careful management of what is flushed into the system is crucial to ensure optimal performance and longevity of a septic system.
Properly functioning septic systems are essential for protecting public health and the environment by safely treating and disposing of wastewater in areas without access to centralized sewage treatment facilities.
The Increasing Presence Of Summer Storms
Over the last several decades, summer storms have increased in power due to warmer air and temperatures that we have experienced. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), approximately 1800 thunderstorms are occurring at any time. This results in nearly 16 million thunderstorms every year.
Thunderstorms are extremely powerful and include threats such as lightning, strong winds, and flash floods. These storms increase during the summer months because moisture and warm air are key to the formation of thunderstorms. In the southeastern United States, the humidity and warm temperatures create a warm moist mass of air that rises into the atmosphere thus forming a thunderstorm.
Impact Of Storms On Your Septic System
These intense summer storms can affect your septic system in a variety of ways, whether it be short-term or long-term problems. The primary issue is almost always exacerbated by excessive rainfall or flooding, which can impact your septic system. The most common issues that you may experience include:
- Increased Water Inflow: Heavy rains can saturate the soil around your septic system and overwhelm the capacity of the leach field to absorb liquid effluent. This influx of water can lead to hydraulic overload, causing the system to back up and potentially overflow.
- Soil Saturation: If the soil in your leach field becomes waterlogged due to prolonged rain, it can impede the natural treatment process. The saturated soil may not be able to effectively filter and treat the effluent, leading to the potential release of untreated wastewater into the environment.
- Flooding: In severe cases, summer storms can cause outright flooding of your septic system. Floodwaters can enter the septic tank and leach field, disrupting the balance of solids and liquids in the tank and potentially damaging components of the system.
Tips On How To Prepare Your Septic System For A Summer Storm
While summer storms can cause massive issues for you and your family, following these simple tips can mitigate many of the issues around your septic system:
- Ensure that your septic system has been properly maintained. It should be pumped every three to five years. This prevents hydraulic overload and keeps your system from backing up into your drains.
- Using the natural terrain, direct any paths of runoff water away from the drain field to keep the soil from getting soggy. Ensure that all of your gutters are free of debris and that they drain away from your drainfield or septic tank.
- Keep in mind where your septic system is located in your yard. If you drive over your tank or drain field, it could impact the system in a massively negative way, causing your drain field to be compacted which reduces the soil absorption.
- If your sinks are draining slowly or your drain field appears to be flooded, water is backing up in your system, and it is under stress. During major storms, it is best to use your water systems as little as possible to eliminate water going down the drains and overloading the septic system.
- Standing water over your septic system well after a storm has passed may mean that your system is damaged. If this is the case, it is time to have your septic tank inspected and serviced.
- Sometimes, silt and other debris can force their way into your system during heavy storms. If you are concerned about that being a problem, have your tank pumped as soon as possible.
While summer storms can present challenges for your septic system, proactive maintenance and timely action can help mitigate potential issues. By understanding how heavy rainfall and flooding impact your septic system and implementing preventive measures, you can ensure that it continues to operate efficiently throughout the summer months and beyond.
Remember, regular maintenance and vigilance are key to protecting your investment in a functional and reliable septic system. Viking Septic Services is here to help keep your system working properly.
Worried About The Impacts Of Summer Storms On Your Septic System - Get Help From Viking Septic Services
Summer storms come and go, but keeping your septic system working properly regardless of the weather is vital. At Viking Septic Services we offer a variety of services to ensure that your septic system is running properly rain or shine.
If you are in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, McDowell, Polk, Transylvania, or Yancey County, Viking Septic Services is the premier septic service company. Not only do we offer septic tank inspections and pumping, but we also handle installation, repair, and more. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help ensure that your septic system and drain field are in good hands.