Weekend visitors are coming, the rain has been pouring down all afternoon, and now the toilets bubble when the washer is going. And the drain seems sluggish, plus there’s a wet and smelly spot next to the drain field. It’s easy to think that things might resolve themselves, but in rainy season septic issues can escalate fast when waterlogged ground and high water usage combine.
The next 48 hours are key. A smart and measured approach can save time and stress, prevent indoor sewage backups, and allow the plumber to decide if pumping or another fix is required.
Hours 0 to 2: Limit Water Usage Right Away
Give the septic system less work. Delay doing laundry, leave the dishwasher alone, and shorten your shower. Don’t fill the bathtub or turn on multiple faucets at once. If your guests are already here, tell them to cut back on their water use for the time being.
Avoid flushing a clogged toilet over and over to see if it works. Each flush adds to the load on a system that could already be overloaded. Don’t bother with chemical drain openers. They can’t empty the tank or fix a soaked drain field, and they could harm the beneficial bacteria, which you can explore on a fantastic read, in the tank.
If sewage is backed up in a tub, shower, or floor drain, stop using your plumbing right away. Keep your family and pets away from any wet areas that smell like sewage.
Hours 2 to 6: Survey, Investigate, and Record Your Findings
You don’t have to be the one who fixes the issue, but a few observations can help the plumber do a better job. Keep track of when the problem started and whether it’s affecting all the toilets, or just one. Things to note include:
- Toilets that bubble after a sink, shower, or appliance empties
- More than one drain that seems slow
- Odors of sewage indoors or around the tank and drain field
- Wet ground or puddles outside
- Date of the last pump-out
- Recent changes such as extra laundry, showers, or guests staying over
You should also pay attention to the rainfall. When the ground is wet, it doesn’t take in wastewater – you can see more at noaa.gov/education, as well. A wet drain field might be struggling temporarily, even though the tank isn’t completely full. That makes a difference because pumping clears out waste and liquid in the tank, but it doesn’t drain waterlogged earth.
Household water conservation during a septic system problem
Hours 6 to 24: Get a Plumber to Check Things Out
Call for help if more than one drain is having problems, smells are bad, there is sewage indoors, or the drain field is visibly wet. Let the plumber know that the rain could have made the soil soft or blocked your ability to reach the tank. Pulles Plumbing may have to come prepared for water or wet soil, or a driveway that won’t support heavy equipment.
The plumber can look at your situation, find the tank, check it, measure the liquid level, and check for damage or clogs in the baffles, filters, or connecting pipes. This can help the plumber figure out whether the tank is full, a line is clogged, a part is broken, or the drain field is having trouble.
If the sludge and scum levels are at the point where they need to be pumped out, or if it’s been too long since you’ve had it pumped, or if the tank is causing the system to flow poorly, then it’s probably time to get the tank pumped. However, it’s important to pump the tank properly in very high water conditions. If you have the tank emptied when the soil is very saturated, the tank may shift or float, so the decision to pump needs to be carefully considered rather than haphazard.
Hours 24 to 48: Get the Area Ready and Get Ready for Your Guests
Make sure the driveway or access area for the plumber is clear of vehicles, furniture, and debris. Unless the plumber specifically tells you to, don’t dig for the lid. After a lot of rain, the ground may be too soft and hiding objects. The septic components could be damaged if you probe the ground too aggressively.
Continue to limit your water use until the tank is inspected. If you do have the tank pumped out, ask the plumber what they found, and whether anything else needs to be checked. Pumping the tank may help relieve some of the symptoms for a while, but repeated wet spots, odors, or backups may indicate a different issue that needs to be addressed.
As your guests are preparing to arrive, provide guidance on how to limit their water use. Shower one person at a time, use the dishwasher and washer only when the load is full, and don’t put wipes, paper towels, feminine hygiene products, or cooking oil in the toilet or sink.
Getting Prepared to Weather the Next Storm
Septic issues during rainy season should be taken seriously, but they don’t need to be feared. Conserve your water, take note of your symptoms, and get a plumber to look at your system before a small warning turns into an emergency backup. If you have the tank pumped when needed, and check for other issues, you’ll minimize potential headaches for you and your guests.
