In the 951, we often go months without a drop of rain. But when those intense Riverside County storms finally hit, your septic system faces its toughest test of the year. Heavy rainfall can saturate the ground around your leach field, making it impossible for the soil to absorb any more liquid. If you aren’t careful, this can lead to a messy backup into your home.

At Davis Plumbing, we want to help you weather the storm. Here is how to manage your septic system during and after heavy rain.

1. Reduce Your Water Usage

When the ground is soaked, your leach field is already struggling. Don’t add to the stress by running the dishwasher or doing multiple loads of laundry. Postpone these high-water tasks until the yard has had a day or two to dry out. This reduces the risk of a plumbing repair emergency.

2. Divert Surface Water

Check your gutters and downspouts. Ensure they aren’t pointing directly toward your septic tank or leach field. You want to move as much “extra” water away from the septic system design area as possible to prevent the soil from becoming a swamp.

3. Keep the Area Clear

Never park cars or heavy equipment over your septic area, but this is especially important when the ground is wet. Saturated soil is easily compacted, which can crush your pipes or ruin the soil’s ability to filter water forever.

4. Watch for “Floating” Tanks

In extreme cases, if a tank is pumped completely empty during a period of high groundwater, the pressure of the water in the soil can actually push the tank out of the ground! This is why we recommend scheduling your septic tank inspection and pumping during drier months.

5. Don’t “Shock” the System

If your drains are slow during a storm, do not dump chemical “cleaners” down the sink. These won’t fix a saturated leach field and will only harm the beneficial bacteria in your tank. Wait for the rain to stop and call for a professional assessment.

Post-Storm Septic Checkups

If your yard is still soggy days after the clouds have cleared, you may have a drainage issue. Davis Plumbing provides expert septic service near me to help 951 homeowners recover from storm damage and ensure their systems are ready for the next one.

Call Davis Plumbing at (951) 657-0393 to schedule a post-storm safety inspection!