Your drain field serves the important function of removing contaminants and impurities from the liquid in your septic tank; however, summer rains, increased social gatherings, and general landscaping may endanger your system. To avoid clogs and other drainage issues, it’s important to practice proper septic system maintenance. To best care for your drain field this summer, here’s a helpful guide.

How to Care for Your Drain Field With Septic System Maintenance

1. Avoid Flushing Items That Can Clog Your System

If you’re planning a lot of summer get-togethers, make sure to inform your guests about what is and isn’t appropriate to flush. While septic-safe toilet paper is fine, avoid flushing feminine products, paper towels, dental floss, baby wipes, and diapers, as these can back up your system.

While some people may think flushing food is okay because it will disintegrate, this is often not the case. It can still create clogs in the pipes or tank before it breaks down. Avoid flushing these items to avoid a clog or flooding when people are over.

2. Take Proper Precautions With Landscaping

Many homeowners enjoy landscaping during the summer, but avoid planting large trees. Their roots will seek out water sources, and they can invade pipes and potentially crack tanks in their pursuit. Instead, plant herbaceous plants such as annuals, perennials, and turf grass into the drain field, as this can help reduce soil erosion over it. Plants also help filter the gases given off in the drain field by converting carbon dioxide into oxygen, which improves the air quality on your property.

3. Prepare for Heavy Rain

Because rainstorms are inevitable over the summer, be aware of drain field saturation. Because the grass and soil will soak up the rainwater, it may become too full of moisture, which means it cannot soak up wastewater from your septic system. Before a significant storm, reduce the water you introduce to your system. Limit or postpone loads of laundry, and try to shorten showers. This will reduce the amount of water the system needs to process, which can help you avoid drain field saturation and possible malfunction of your system. 

If you need septic system maintenance, trust the professionals at Wild West Plumbing Heating & Drain Service. Proudly serving Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Bigfork, and Lakeside, this family-owned and -operated plumbing and drain cleaning service provides a range of affordable and convenient services. Their fully licensed contractors offer drain cleaning, boiler repair, and heat pump maintenance. Visit them online to learn more about their services, and call (406) 752-1244 to schedule septic system maintenance.