Spring Weather: Common Septic System and Leach Field Issues

Each new season presents an opportunity to start fresh, which is literally what homeowners with septic systems strive for. But spring can be a tricky time of the year for septic maintenance—outside it’s warm, it’s wet, it’s cold, then it gets wet and warm again. Springtime temperature fluctuations and frequent rainfall can create problems for your septic system, both outside in the septic tank and leach field areas and within the plumbing itself. Luckily, there are preventative measures you can take to banish these problems, such as not flushing certain things and scheduling regular leach field maintenance in Strafford County, NH.

Below are the most common septic system and leach field issues you may run into this spring and how to avoid them.

Backed-up drains

Heavy rainfall is not unusual in many parts of the country during the spring months. While rain paired with warm weather is great for new springtime growth, excess water from showers and storms can wreak havoc on your septic system. Extra water can fill your septic system, and because the water has nowhere to go, the excess may travel back up your pipes and into your home. The signs of water backing up into your pipes include gurgling sounds, bad odors and backed-up drains, all of which can lead to serious issues with drainage. At this point, professional drain cleaning is going to be necessary.

Excess debris in septic tank

Everything the people in your household flush down the toilets and drains goes into the septic tank. Hopefully, only safe and septic system-approved waste is going into it! The problem with spring weather is the high chance for severe storms, and septic systems are not fans of the frequent fluctuation in springtime temperature and pressure.

After a springtime storm, it’s not unusual to end up with tree debris and other natural debris in your septic system. The best thing you can do to minimize the intrusion of this type of debris is to keep your yard clear of as much debris as possible, trim nearby trees and remove loose branches. Once debris enters your septic tank, the tank has to be pumped to prevent any problems with septic system function.

Flooded leach field

Springtime tends to bring a lot of rain. It’s great for new growth, but what doesn’t benefit from frequent rain is your leach field (also called a drain field). Your leach field can flood in the spring, especially if your yard is not set up to promote proper drainage. When the leach field floods, it cannot properly filter wastewater, which often leads to contaminated groundwater on your property and damage to your septic system. To avoid a flood in the leach field, ensure the area is aerated and that your yard has proper drainage. Reposition rain gutter downspouts to redirect water away from your drain field.

Make sure your septic system’s operations are in good working order before spring arrives—you’ll be glad you checked. Contact the experts at B.H. Cameron Septic Services LLC to benefit from the most reliable leach field maintenance in Strafford County, NH!

Categorised in: Leach Field Maintenance

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