Septic system owners should always keep an eye out for standing water in their yards. Standing water is a smelly, unsanitary sign of a much larger issue with your septic system, and it should always be addressed right away. Failing to fix standing water can have serious consequences for the ecosystem around you, and it can spread sickness to your family and surrounding wildlife. Here are a few reasons why you might have standing water in your yard.

Drainage Problems

The landscape around your septic system might be the real cause of standing water. If your soil has become too compact, either from being pushed down by heavy machinery or intense storms, it won’t be able to absorb water properly. The same issue can occur if you don’t have the right soil in your drainfield. If you suspect your soil is the problem, call a septic technician to aerate the land with porous materials.

Septic System Overuse

Standing water can also be caused by overuse of your septic system. When you continuously use water and overwhelm your septic system, your drainfield can become flooded without a chance to absorb the moisture. Have your septic tank pumped if you suspect this is the issue, and try to spread your water usage out over the day or week to avoid overwhelming your system.

Full Septic Tank

A full septic tank doesn’t allow enough room for incoming wastewater, and it can cause slow-flushing toilets or slow-draining sinks and bathtubs. This can lead to leaks in the leach fields, which causes wastewater to build up on your yard. If your septic tank is full, have it pumped as soon as possible. Be sure to have your septic tank pumped on a schedule, ideally every three to five years, to avoid this issue in the future.

Water Runoff

Standing water can be caused by water runoff if your area is receiving heavy rainfall. This is a big concern for homeowners who live in rainy climates. If you notice standing water, ask yourself when it last rained and how heavy the rain was. If it’s been raining heavily in the past few days, that could be the cause. If you deal with heavy rainfall on a regular basis, it might be best to consider installing a water retention system.

Broken Distribution Box

Your septic tank is connected to a device called a distribution box. This box has holes and rotating devices, and it’s used to evenly distribute water into the drainfield without overwhelming the soil. A broken distribution box can lead to standing water in your drainfield because the soil won’t have a chance to absorb any of the moisture before more is added. A septic provider or repair team can easily repair or replace your distribution box. 

Septic Maintenance and Repairs with Quality Septic

Quality Septic offers septic system maintenance, repairs, and replacements with great customer service at affordable prices. We’re equipped with the knowledge and skill to help you get the absolute most out of your septic system. Call or visit our website for a free quote on our services today!