The septic tank is critical for a functional and
comfortable home; the system holds and treats wastewater from the toilet, sink,
and other plumbing fixtures.
Therefore, you want the septic to stay healthy and in good
condition. And a significant part of proper septic system care is understanding
factors that may hurt it.
One such factor is water overload. Discover how excess
water can compromise the septic tank's functionality and what to do.
Is Excess Water Overflow Bad for a Septic Tank?
While the septic tank is designed to hold wastewater, that
does make it water damage-proof. The system holds a limited water capacity
based on its size. When the capacity is exceeded, the excess water makes it
hard for the tank to process the wastewater.
Furthermore, excess water may flood the drain field. With
time, this water will start to leach into the soil and reach the underground
sources, thus increasing the risk of contamination.
Water overload may harm the septic tank's bacteria. The
bacteria inside the tank feed on solids to speed up the breakdown. As such, if
the tank lacks adequate bacteria, that causes solids buildup that later turns
into sludge.
Sludge blocks the septic's components and takes up a lot of
space. This issue can cause the tank to fill up faster, requiring more frequent
pump-outs. Or, you may experience sudden wastewater backups and slow drainage,
which is an inconvenience and a hygiene concern.
What Causes Too Much Water in the Septic Tank?
There are many things that can cause your septic tank to be
overloaded. Here are some sources of water overload in the septic tank and how
to prevent the issues:
Leaks
A leaky toilet or faucet may not seem like a major problem,
but those small drips can accumulate significantly over time. For example, a
leaky faucet can waste thousands of water gallons annually.
Luckily, this is not an overnight thing, so you can protect
the septic tank by repairing the leaks before too much water makes its way to
the septic.
Stormwater
Normally, when it rains, the grounds absorb the water.
However, suppose the soil in your yard cannot absorb excess water after heavy
rainfall, perhaps due to inadequate slope or poor soil drainage. In that case,
the water runoff can flow toward the septic and overwhelm the system's waste
processing speed.
Washing Machine
Your washing machine habits determine how much wastewater
goes to the septic tank every washday. For instance, if you prefer doing small
loads of laundry more frequently, this can cause a water influx that may be too
much for the tank to handle. Therefore, waiting until you have a full load
before engaging your washing machine is better because numerous small loads
will put extra strain on the system.
Hosting Large Gatherings
If you love having guests frequently, the more frequent use
of your bathroom can create a strain on your plumbing system. The reason is
that more toilet flushes and showers will be taken than usual. In return, more
water will enter the septic than its normal capacity.
You can protect the septic by incorporating portable
toilets and handwashing stations for your guests.
Excess Garbage Disposal Usage
Garbage disposals are wonderful tools that allow us to
dispose of food scraps and waste easily. However, if you overuse it, the amount
of wastewater can overload your septic system.
Above are some major causes of excess water entering your
septic systems. The secret is to limit the amount of water going into your
septic tank to avoid any problems. Also, invest in regular septic inspection,
especially before you have guests over for the holidays. And watch out for
signs of leaks and repair the issues immediately.
You can trust us at the Nibbler Company for your septic
needs. We will inspect, diagnose, and repair any septic system problems. We
will also advise you on how best to care for your septic system. Contact us
for a
consultation.
