Spring rains may be good for blossoming flowers, but they can wreak havoc on your home’s septic system. The excessive showers that are typical of the season can cause issues with the system’s functionality that could lead to flooding in your home. Understanding how this moisture affects your equipment can help you be prepared for the wet season and avoid costly and annoying issues.

Why Too Much Rain Is Bad for Your Septic System

As waste is flushed out of your home, it enters the septic tank, where natural enzymes treat it and remove bacteria. Once the tainted water has been treated, it slowly drains out of the tank and into the leach field. Too much rain, however, can saturate this area, and the water will be unable to leave the tank. When the leach field is saturated, you won’t be able to drain any more water from your home. Eventually, the water in your septic system can come back up the pipes, clogging your toilets and showers, and increasing the risk of flooding in your home.

How to Protect Your Septic System From Spring Rains

While you can’t reverse the ground saturation yourself, there are measures you can take to help the system during rainy seasons. Make sure your home’s gutter system is directing water runoff away from the leach field to avoid exacerbating the problem.

It’s also important to avoid parking any vehicles above your septic tank, particularly during a rainstorm, as this can cause the ground to shift,  which could cause serious damage to your system. Finally, if you think your septic system isn’t able to drain properly into the leach field, limit your water usage as much as possible during periods of excessive rain. This helps keep additional water out of the tank, giving what’s in there time to drain out.

If the heavy rains of spring are giving you problems with your septic system, contact the professionals at A & J Nichols Septic Tank in Byhalia, MS. With more than 50 years of experience, their trained and skilled technicians provide a variety of services, including septic tank maintenance, repair, and pumping, and they have the knowledge necessary to keep your system running smoothly all year long. They can even provide 24-hour emergency response should your system fail because of unexpected rain. Schedule an appointment by calling (662) 838-2945 or learn more about the team online.