In a Time of Heavy Rainfall

Here in MN, it is this time of year that we often experience hot temps and little rain. Well this year, the summer has been pretty unusual. We have been experiencing excess amounts of rain which in turn can lead to homeowners noticing slow moving septic and other issues at hand.

This is especially the case with older septic systems that may be less than water tight and/or have other problems that may remain unnoticed until an overwhelming amount of water (like we have been having) saturates the entire system and it's soil.

If a homeowners individual on-site treatment system (septic tank & drainfield) obtains a hidden defect, excessive water from a prolonged rainfall could overwhelm the system. This will call for quick action. Who will you call? and Why will you need to call?

If this sounds like your area (a lot of extra rain and a system working with a defect) try to prepare and think ahead in that time of long or heavy rainfall. Heavy rain can end up being just enough to push troubled systems over the edge, sometimes even leading to a system that could possibly fail and or lead to a backup.

Here are some suggested tips that made aide in the prevention of on-site sewage system problems in a time of extreme wet weather:

• Monitor/Minimize water use in the home per day. This could mean spreading water use throughout the day and week to maintain a steady pace of water flow out to your drainfield.
• Try not to flood your system with multiple uses all at once or all in one day. For example, shower in the morning, wash dishes in the evening, and turning off the water to rinse dishes and while brushing teeth. Another example may be to limit clothes washing to only 1 or 2 loads a laundry per day instead of dedicating a day for washing during the week.
• Be quick to identify and repair a leaky plumbing fixture in the home; sinks & toilets. A running toilet or a leaky faucet can discharge tens or hundreds of gallons of water a day to your drainfield.
• Again be quick to identify and repair noted leaky sewage system tanks, piping, risers, etc. Quick and proper fixes lead to prolonged life of an on-sit septic system.
• Divert all surface waters and downspouts away from your sewage system. If there are any unnoticed non water tight areas in your system, this will help avoid over saturation of the entire system.
• Schedule regular septic tank maintenance. Depending on water usage in the home, it's suggested that maintenance should take place no more than every three years at a maximum. If high occupancy with regular/to heavy use of water is taking place, it doesn't hurt to have the system maintained every year or other year as well.

If you're ever detecting a problem and or have ANY question about your system, or "who to call", or "what's that smell?" Call us here at Schlomka Services so we can help you today!

Also remember, with it being summer, your home may house extra company for the weekends. Whether is be family gathers or a Holiday event, the extra company leads to an increase in water at an excessive rate- so just think ahead and be prepared!

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When was the last time you called your septic maintainers looking for advice or to schedule a tank maintenance?