How to Fix a Septic Tank Full of Water When It Rains

How many times have you faced problems like gurgling toilets, slow draining, or bad odor from the septic system while heavy rainfall? It is one of the most common issues we frequently deal with. By taking some precautions and following some simple steps we can easily get rid of these unpleasant conditions. Let’s see what to do with a septic tank full of water when it rains.

Here I will cover the topics related to various conditions of the septic system during heavy rainfall.

Why Does the Septic Tank Fill Up During Heavy Rain?

The main reason for an overwhelmed septic tank is its drainfield. It is the only exposed part of a septic system. That’s why it comes to the direct contact of rainwater and causes plumbing issues.

Ground Flooding

The drainfield purifies water and thus it is dispersed safely to the surrounding soil. The septic tank can hold a certain level of wastewater. However, significant rainfall can flood the surface around the drainfield.

The excess water gets mixed with the wastewater and overwhelms the tank. If the water does not find any way to go, it will come out and make a pool in the yard. Also, it may go back into drains and flood your home.

Clogged Drainfield

It is another potential problem related to the plumbing system. During the rainfall, the drainfield becomes saturated. Therefore, it won’t be able to absorb wastewater. As the water has nowhere to go, it will overflow the septic tank. Over time, it will cause plumbing issues such as foul odors and gurgling pipes.

Clogged drainfield also facilitates the flow of untreated sewage to the groundwater. As a result, it can mix with local streams leading to serious contamination.

Indications of An Overwhelmed Septic Tank

I know you can easily understand whether it was a heavy rainfall or not, but determining a flooded septic system is not that get-at-able. Here are some indications that will help you to ordain a flooded septic tank.

• The septic water will not soak in by the soil, because the soil of the drain field becomes saturated with rainwater.
• As a result, the septic water will rise on the surface. At this point, you will smell a bad odor.
• If the condition gets worse, the water gets back into the septic tank.
• If the system contains any transfer pump, it will start running incessantly.
• Eventually, the water will end up creating a plumbing issue as it has nowhere to go.

Lastly, you will face some problems related to your toilet and draining system, like faulty toilet flushing, overflow from toilets, slow draining, etc. These conditions indicate the septic system needs your attention.

Fixing A Septic Tank Full of Water When It Rains

The only recommended way to fix this issue is proper maintenance. Here I will describe how you can take care of the septic system all the time to avoid any unpleasant condition.

Maintaining Before the Heavy Rain

Your septic tank will withstand heavy rainfall if it has a good shape before the rain starts. To do so, run the water away from the drainfield so that it won’t get extra soggy. Clean the debris that is clogged with rain gutters to make sure the draining of rain water.

Avoid driving heavy vehicles that may compact the drainfield soil, cause compacted soil has less absorbability. Also, plant grass above the drainfield to keep the soil healthy. These steps you need to maintain in the pre-raining time.

Maintaining During the Heavy Rain

During heavy rainfall, you can relieve some pressure from the system by decreasing its use. It is a great option if you can eliminate, or, at least reduce water going to the drains before drying the drainfield. Conserving water is also a great idea to decrease the load from the septic system.

Try not to flush the toilet, take a shower, do the laundry until the whole unit gets back to normal. Also, you can call for an emergency septic service to fix the issue.

Maintaining After the Heavy Rain

Some people recommend pumping the septic system when it is flooded, but it is not an effective solution. Even pumping may cause damage to the overwhelmed tank. Instead of pumping the tank, you should reduce the usage of water in the home as much you can.

It is better to completely limit the machines that use water. Now, give the drainfield some time to dry. If the condition persists, look for a septic tank specialist to get rid of this problem.

Additionally, check any possible damage to the septic system and inspect it professionally. As long as your septic system is properly maintained, it won’t create any unwanted situation for you.

Some Tips to Prevent the Septic Tank from Flooding

If you maintain the septic system properly and regularly, it won’t create any issue during rainfall. Here are some tips to protect your septic tank:

• During heavy rain, avoid digging or working around the septic tank.
• To abstain from root damage, plant trees away from your septic tank.
• Pump the tank regularly.
• Use biodegradable cleaners to clean the tank.
• Avoid driving or parking over the septic system.
• Decrease water usage while it is raining heavily.

If you follow these simple steps, you won’t face any irritating issues related to the septic system.

Conclusion

If you go through this article, you don’t need to murmur about ‘septic tank flooding with rainwater advice please,’ you will get all the possible solutions for this problem. However, maintaining the septic system properly can give you relief from an overwhelmed tank. So do not forget to pump the tank and remove the solid waste regularly.