Seasonal Care for Septic Systems: The Most Important Springtime Tasks
Each new season presents new tasks to manage and challenges to tackle for septic system owners — even spring, with the relief in weather it brings about after a long winter. There is plenty that an attentive septic owner can and should do each spring to ensure their system stays in the best working order possible, though many may not realize it. This post will go over some of the most important points of springtime septic care to communicate to homeowners.
Keep in mind: The environmental circumstances of your specific area might warrant different or additional guidance for homeowners beyond what is listed here. This is general information, but not one-size-fits-all guidance! Be sure to highlight to your customers the unique climatic, geological, and/or topographical features of your area and how they affect the operation of their septic systems.
1. Start with an inspection
After the stress of winter conditions, the very first thing a homeowner should try to do when the ground unfreezes and spring is on the horizon is to check for any signs of wear, damage, or improper functioning of their system. A homeowner that knows what they’re looking for may be able to spot signs of an issue themselves; such as water pooling, system components surfacing, or unusually lush patches of grass.
But for a fuller picture, calling a professional to do a formal inspection is a more foolproof step. Annual inspections are often recommended for septic systems, and spring is a great time to have them done, due to the milder weather and chance to quickly catch any issues caused by the winter cold.
2. Take care of maintenance and pumping as needed
Again, due to the milder weather between winter and summer, spring is a great time to have maintenance work done on septic systems. Another advantage to this timing is that it helps ensure systems are in their best working order ahead of high volume water uses in the spring and summer like landscaping, gardening, swimming pool operation, or parties. A professional inspection will help reveal if any of this work is needed imminently.
3. Be careful with water usage and landscaping choices
It’s not just the water use in the house that can contribute to overloading a septic system in the springtime. In places with regular precipitation, rainfall often increases in the spring. Of course, homeowners can’t do much to control the amount of rain, but within their homes they can choose to do things like fix leaks, install low-flow plumbing fixtures, minimize water dispensation, and more. It also may be a possibility to configure their yard to channel and divert flowing
rainwater away from their septic system, such as by making sure gutter downspouts are pointed in a different direction!
The root systems of bigger plants like trees and shrubs can be a significant threat to septic systems if they are planted too close. Aggressive roots that are seeking out water can burst into septic pipes and block up the system. So, if planting new trees and shrubs in the spring, homeowners should seek to have them at least 30 feet away from their septic. If root damage has already occurred but is not too advanced, a septic professional may be able to fix or remediate it.
4. Refresh on the basics of septic care
The following are things that septic owners should always be doing (or not doing, as the case may be). But in the season of renewal and new beginnings, it’s a great time to remind them to brush up on some of these basic principles of septic ownership:
- The vast, vast majority of septic system additives, starters, feeders, cleaners, etc, are not needed for effective operation.
- Don’t put harmful chemicals or non-biodegradable materials (especially any sort of wipe) down any drains. When flushing a toilet, the only substances flushed should be the Three Ps: Pee, poop, and (toilet) paper.
- Keep interior drains clear, which keeps septic systems from working too hard to pump water and prevent clogs in pipes.
- Be on the lookout for signs of septic system failure.
- Keep records of all work done on a property’s septic system and plumbing.
5. Know how to protect septic systems from flood damage (or drought)
In the event of springtime floods, the heavy rain can oversaturate drain fields, physically damage systems, and perhaps even push sewage back into a home. In areas that experience heavy spring rain, and particularly those with poor soil drainage, knowing what to do to prevent these kinds of issues is key.
A septic system covered by floodwaters should not be used. Here are some of the recommendations from the University of Minnesota’s Onsite Sewage Treatment Program for what to do when a system is flooded:
- Contact a licensed professional to inspect the system and determine what kind of maintenance or repair it may need.
- Protect the soil treatment area from getting compacted by eliminating any traffic from the area.
- Before turning electricity back on, check electrical connections for damage.
- Make sure that the septic tank’s manhole cover is secure.
- If sewage is backed up into the house, disinfect thoroughly.
- Minimize water use until the soil has dried out to a more normal level.
Visit UM OSTP’s Seasonal Care for septic systems page for more details on how to undertake these steps, as well as what to do if a system or portions of it has been destroyed by the flood.
Of course, you may be in an area where a system flooding is highly unlikely due to the property or larger area’s environmental circumstances. For instance, if you’re in a desert or there’s a drought going on, there’s an entirely different set of concerns for septic systems: The soil surrounding them can become too compacted, dry out, and thus not be able to absorb effluent sufficiently. In this case, careful water usage, regular maintenance, and optimized system design are still essential best practices.
Sources and Further Information:
- Seasonal care at the University of Minnesota Water Resources Center, Onsite Sewage Treatment Program
- Springtime Septic Maintenance Guide: How to Prevent Costly Repairs | Waste Management Pros of the Southeast
- Septic Tank Spring Maintenance | Clear Drain Cleaning
- 11 Tips for Maintaining Your Septic System this Spring | Townes Septic Service
- Guidance for Septic Systems Before, During, and After a Flood | National Environmental Health Association
- Desert Septic Challenges: Overcoming Issues with Arid Climates | Odor Free Septic
- Droughts & Septics | Septic Check