As winter gives way to spring every year, melting snow becomes a familiar sight across Wisconsin. While it signals the end of frosty temperatures, the resulting snowmelt can also introduce major septic system problems. Saturated soil, system backups, and potential water contamination are just a few of the issues you might find yourself dealing with just in time for warmer weather. Fortunately, a good understanding of how snowmelt impacts septic systems can help you take proactive steps and ultimately avoid costly problems.
Common Septic System Problems Caused by Snowmelt
Melting snow adds large volumes of water to the soil, which can overwhelm a septic system. Homeowners in Wisconsin should watch for these common septic system problems:
- Drain Field Flooding: When the ground becomes saturated with water from snowmelt, the drain field may lose its ability to absorb and filter wastewater. When that happens, it can lead to standing water or flooding in the area, which prevents the system from functioning as it should.
- System Backups: Saturated soil can create a bottleneck, forcing wastewater to remain in the septic tank. In severe situations, this may result in backups into household plumbing, leading to messy, unpleasant, and disruptive situations that require immediate attention.
- Water Contamination: Rapid melting of large amounts of snow increases the chances of untreated wastewater seeping into the surrounding groundwater. This contamination poses risks to nearby drinking water sources and the health of the environment as a whole, so it’s just not something you can afford to risk.
Tips to Prevent Snowmelt-Related Septic System Problems
Preventing snowmelt from overwhelming a septic system requires planning and routine maintenance. These tips can help safeguard your system during the thawing season:
- Improve Drainage Around the Property: It pays to make sure snowmelt is directed away from the drain field. That goal can be achieved by creating proper drainage pathways and maintaining landscaping that diverts water from the system.
- Schedule Regular Inspections: Routine septic system inspections help identify and address potential vulnerabilities before they get out of hand. Inspections are especially valuable before the thawing season starts because they can help make sure your system is ready for increased moisture levels.
- Conserve Water During Thawing Periods: Limiting water usage when the soil is saturated reduces strain on the septic system. Simple adjustments, such as staggering laundry loads and fixing plumbing leaks, can prevent overloading the system during critical times.
- Maintain Vegetative Cover: A healthy lawn or ground cover above the drain field absorbs excess moisture and prevents soil erosion. Avoid compacting the soil in this area by keeping heavy vehicles or equipment away.
- Consider a Diversion Valve: Does your property have multiple drain fields? If so, a diversion valve allows you to alternate usage between drain fields in a rotation that gives saturated spots plenty of time to recover.
Recognizing When to Call a Professional
Snowmelt-related septic issues can develop gradually or appear suddenly. Paying attention to warning signs, such as slow drains, unpleasant odors, or water pooling near the drain field, can help homeowners address these septic system problems early. Professional septic services are equipped to assess the situation and implement effective solutions to restore system performance.
Keep Your Septic System Running Smoothly Through the Thaw
If you’re like most homeowners, your property is your biggest and most important investment. Your septic system is vital infrastructure for that investment, so it’s equally essential to protect it from the challenges snowmelt can present. The last thing you want is costly repairs and unhygienic messes on your hands due to septic system problems, especially when they’re avoidable. Improving drainage around your property, making the right adjustments during thawing periods, and scheduling regular inspections are all effective, efficient ways to stave off problems before they even get started.
Sunset Septic understands the unique challenges of a Wisconsin winter and the spring thaw, too. For expert septic system care, from inspections to repairs and everything in between, Sunset Septic provides reliable services tailored to your needs. Keep your system in top condition no matter the weather; Sunset Septic can help you face your septic system problems all year long.
