If you own a septic system, you probably haven’t considered how the seasons can impact it. Perhaps you’ve assumed that the winter may be hard on your system, but have you thought about how the summer may also impact it? It’s not only the weather that affects your septic but also the activities that happen during this season. Pools, landscaping, and more use can all play a role in the health of your septic system.
One of the first things that may impact your septic system is a pool. This can include both adding a pool to your yard as a permanent fixture to your home or just using an above-ground pool during the summer. The first way they can affect your system is their placement; if they are too close to the drain field, they may damage the pipes below. If you’re planning on adding an in-ground pool, then there’s a lot to consider about the placement. This includes where it is in proximity to your septic system; they are often required to be at least 100 feet away. The other effect they may have on your system is how you deal with cleaning/draining the pool. You have to be sure you are not mixing septic and pool chemicals. You also have to be sure you’re not draining your pool near your septic system, which will be overwhelmed by the influx of water.
The second thing that may impact your septic system during the summer is the amount of use your septic system gets. When people are home from school or visiting family for vacation, there is likely a much heavier use of your system. You’re flushing the toilet more often, showering more, and maybe even doing more dishes. All of this can cause an increase in water that your septic may not be prepared for. Just be mindful of your septic usage and remind everyone not to overuse systems in your home. It’s also a great time to perform maintenance or a pump-out to help ensure the tank is not too full.
The last few things you should consider during the summer are your landscaping and the weather. When it comes to landscaping, we encourage you to do whatever you like to make your home beautiful, as long as you are mindful of your system. Planting vegetation with large roots or digging too close to pipes may cause damage you don’t want to have to repair. You should also consider how the septic system affects your sprinkler systems. A broken septic system may leak contaminated water into the sprinkler system. Unfortunately, this means contaminated water is being sprayed all over your home and lawn, making it dangerous for kids and pets. This is easily avoided with proper maintenance of both systems. The final thing to consider this summer is the weather. Here in Oklahoma, summer often means lots of rain and the potential for bad storms. This can affect ground conditions making some septic procedures and maintenance difficult. Please be patient with your septic expert as they work around the wet ground and weather circumstances.
Hopefully, this insight into how the summer can affect your septic system will help you to take the best care of it. Being proactive versus reactive is the best way to ensure you don’t have significant problems down the line. Maintenance and smart septic use will ensure your system stays healthy all year.
Should you have any septic concerns, please give our experts a call. We’re trained, certified, and highly educated, so we’ll provide you with the best service possible. Call: (918) 406-5620 for assistance.
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