Although Hawaii homeowners don’t have to shovel snow in winter, it doesn’t mean their properties aren’t vulnerable to seasonal problems. With frequent rainy weather, water pools in yards, saturating soil and flooding buried septic system components. Toilets won’t flush and water drains slowly as a result. To handle the problem, use these do’s and don’ts.  

Do:

Check the groundwater level.

The septic system tank and drainfield lines are located a few feet below the ground. If you know where this equipment is, venture into the yard and look for standing water. Puddles indicate the equipment is submerged in groundwater.

You can also stick a pole in the soil to determine where the water level is. If it is a few feet below the septic tank, you can continue to use the system. 

Reduce water usage inside. 

If you suspect the septic system is flooded, it might not be able to accommodate all of the household’s wastewater. To prevent an even bigger problem, limit the family’s water usage until the tank can be pumped or the groundwater level has at least dropped.

Ways to cut back on water consumption include taking shorter showers and using disposable plates, cups, and utensils to avoid running the faucet and dishwasher.

Don’t:

Pump while the ground is wet. 

Don’t expect a septic tank pumping professional to arrive as soon as it stops raining. Soil erosion is often a problem after heavy storms. When the ground is soaked, silt, sand, and other particles could fall into the container or settle in perforated pipes in the drainfield.

Give the ground a chance to dry, or at least wait until it isn’t soggy, before giving pumping technicians a call.  

Drive over the absorption area. 

If you tend to drive through the yard, remember to keep cars off the grass after it rains. When the soil holds excess moisture, the weight of a vehicle could compress the ground more. Effluent in drainfield pipes then can’t filter into the absorption area, which could make septic system backups even worse. 

To determine whether your septic system is flooded, reach out to the experienced technicians at B Sales Trucking, Excavation, Pumping & Plumbing Services. Based in Makawao, HI, and serving clients throughout Maui, the professionals will perform an inspection and provide pumping to restore normal performance. For a free estimate, call (808) 264-3281. Find more service details online.