When you live in Hawaii or any region subject to rainy seasons, septic system maintenance becomes a bit more involved. Excessive rain can overwhelm the tank and saturate the drainfield without the right care, causing expensive plumbing and environmental problems. If you rely on a septic system, use these tips during the rainy season to keep it functional instead of flooded.

Do:

Schedule septic tank pumping.

Get your septic tank pumped before the rainy season starts, especially if it’s been two or more years since the last cleaning. An empty septic tank can accommodate more incoming water instead of overflowing and possibly leaking solids into the drainfield.

An overwhelmed septic tank can also cause plumbing backups within your home or crack and leak into groundwater sources. Overflowing tanks and drainfields near waterways pose contamination problems as well.

Direct water away from your tank & drainfield.

Ensure your downspouts direct rainwater away from your home and into street drains to keep the ground surrounding your septic system as dry as possible. Also, maintain clean gutters since clogs can cause water to pool around your house and add even more moisture to the soil.

Don’t:

Compact the soil.

Never park near your septic system or place anything heavy on top of the tank or drainfield, such as lawn equipment or paving stones. Extra weight compacts the soil, interfering with water absorption.

Mark the drainfield and tank locations to help you and your family stay off them, such as by planting groundcover or other grasses and flowers with shallow roots.

Use too much water.

Monitor household water usage to keep the septic tank from filling up too quickly during the rainy season. Avoid running two or more major water-using appliances on the same day, such as the dishwasher and washing machine, and always wait until you have full loads for both.

Reduce shower time to five minutes or skip them whenever you and your family can. These conservation tactics lower your water bill in addition to helping your septic system. 

Avoid septic system floods with services from B Sales Trucking, Excavation, Pumping, & Plumbing Services. Based in Makawao, HI, and serving all of Maui, the local commercial and residential contractor keeps prices low without forgoing quality. Call (808) 264-3281 today to schedule a free estimate, or visit the contractors online for more information on their septic services.