Summer Septic Tips: How to Keep Your Septic System Running Smoothly This Season

Here's how to keep your system running smoothly all summer.

If your tank is due, or close to it, have it pumped before the summer rush. Over time, solids settle into a layer of sludge at the bottom of the tank, while grease and lighter materials float to the top. When those layers build up too far, solids can escape into your field lines and clog them.

Most homes need septic tank pumping every few years. How often depends on:

• The size of your tank
• How many people live in your home
• How much water you use
• Whether you use a garbage disposal

Not sure when your tank was last pumped? We'll recommend a schedule that fits your home. Learn more about our septic pumping service.

Your septic tank needs time to separate solids from liquid. When a lot of water rushes in at once, solids can get pushed out toward the drain field before they settle. That's easy to do in summer, when guests are showering and the washer is running nonstop.

To give your system a break:

• Spread laundry loads across the week instead of doing them all on one day
• Avoid running the washer and dishwasher at the same time
• Fix leaky faucets and running toilets, which can add a surprising amount of water every day
• Point sprinklers and gutter downspouts away from the drain field
• Use water-efficient fixtures when it's time to replace them

Summer thunderstorms can drop a lot of rain in a short time. When the soil over your drain field is already soaked, your field lines can't absorb water as well, which may cause slow drains or soggy spots for a few days.

During and right after a heavy storm, go easy on water use: hold off on laundry and long showers until the ground has had a chance to dry out. If slow drains or wet spots stick around after the yard dries, that's a sign to have your system checked. Our septic inspections include diagnostics and troubleshooting to find the cause.

Summer cookouts are great, but grease, fats, and cooking oil are hard on a septic system. They float to the top of the tank, build up quickly, and can clog the lines leading to your drain field. Pour cooled grease into a can and throw it away instead.

Also keep these out of your drains and toilets:

• Wipes, even ones labeled "flushable"
• Paper towels and napkins
• Feminine hygiene products
• Food scraps and coffee grounds
• Medications and harsh chemicals

Your drain field (also called field lines or a leach field) is the network of buried pipes that lets treated water soak safely into the soil. Summer parties and yard projects can damage it without you realizing it.

To protect it:

• Don't park cars or trucks on the drain field, even for a party
• Keep pools, sheds, and other heavy structures off and away from it
• Never drain pool or hot tub water into your septic system or over the drain field
• Plant only grass over the field lines, since tree and shrub roots can clog the pipes
• Keep heavy equipment and rental machinery away from it

Most septic problems show warning signs before they become serious. Call a septic professional if you notice:

• Drains running slow throughout the house
• Gurgling sounds from toilets or drains
• Septic odors around the tank or in the yard
• Wet or soggy ground over the drain field, even in dry weather
• Grass that's noticeably greener over the tank or field lines
• Sewage backing up into a tub, shower, or floor drain

The sooner a problem is caught, the more likely it's a simple fix. Even if your field lines are struggling, a full replacement isn't automatic: up to 90% of field lines can be repaired.

Common Summer Septic Mistakes

• Doing all the laundry on one day after a weekend of guests
• Parking party cars on the drain field when the driveway fills up
• Pouring cookout grease down the sink instead of letting it cool and tossing it
• Ignoring slow drains after a storm and hoping they clear up on their own
• Putting off pumping until there's a backup

When to Call a Septic Professional

Call right away if sewage is backing up into your home or your system has stopped working. We're open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can reach us day or night.

For slow drains, odors, or soggy spots that don't go away, schedule an inspection. And if it's been a few years since your last pumping, now is a good time to get on a schedule.

Summer Septic FAQs

Can heavy rain affect my septic system?

Yes. Heavy rain can saturate the soil so your field lines can't absorb water as well, which may cause slow drains or soggy spots for a few days. If the problems continue after the ground dries out, it's time to have the system checked.

How often should a septic tank be pumped?

Most homes need pumping every few years. How often depends on your tank size, how many people live in your home, and how much water you use.

Should I pump my tank before hosting a big summer event?

If your tank is due or close to it, pumping beforehand gives it plenty of room for the extra use. If it was pumped recently, spreading out water use during the event is usually enough.

Summer is one of the hardest seasons on a septic system. House guests, cookouts, extra laundry, lawn sprinklers, and afternoon thunderstorms all send more water into your tank and drain field than usual. The good news is that a few simple habits go a long way.