Rain may make your lawn grow green, keep it lush, and help your flower beds to thrive, but unfortunately, the right storm could also disrupt the functionality of your septic system. You need to be aware of how storms could impact your home, and what you need to do about clogged drains caused by excess rainwater. 

Ways Storms Can Impact Your Plumbing System

1. Flooding Your Drainfield

When you experience heavy rain, it can fill the space between the gravel in your drain field, which then impact where effluent (liquid waste) can travel. When the drain field is flooded, you might notice that washtub basins may drain slower than usual. In extreme cases, the ground can become marshy, flood, or impacted, which could damage the drain field permanently and require drain repair.

2. Filling Septic Tanks 

If your drain field floods, it can cause water to back up into your septic tank and fill the space. When this happens, you may notice that your sinks and toilets may create a strange gurgling noise when you try to flush or run water. This may appear like a clogged drain, but you need to check and see if rainwater has filled your septic tank.

Most times, septic tanks will return to normal after it stops raining and the water can drain away. However, you may consider having your septic tank pumped if you notice problems during light rain, as this could indicate that your tank is filled above-recommended capacity.

3. Causing Backups

When both the drain field and septic tank fill with rainwater, it can create back up problems. You may notice your sinks filling with wastewater, or there may be issues when someone tries to flush the toilet. While this may be inconvenient, it also creates unsanitary conditions in your home. Make sure to talk with a septic and plumbing professional whenever you experience clogged drains or toilets when it rains.

If you have noticed clogged drains or plumbing problems following a storm, turn to the experts at American Rooter. Since their inception more than 38 years ago, this family-owned and operated business has been committed to offering fast, friendly, and trusted service to people throughout the greater Watertown, CT area. Visit their website today to find out more about how they can help, or give them a call at (888) 863-4638.