Summertime has arrived in Twin Falls! That means it is time for BBQs, pool parties, and more outdoor gatherings. Whenever you host at your home, the increased seasonal activity can increase the stress on your home septic system. This, of course, is not something that you would normally plan for, and definitely isn’t something you want to deal with if problems arise.
This blog will give you tips and tricks as a homeowner to protect your home septic system, your wallet, and your beloved summer celebrations. The biggest tip is to keep Bill’s Sewer and Drain Service in your back pocket for all your septic system needs.
Why Summer Gatherings Can Strain Your Septic System
When you have guests, you usually plan on needing more food, more laundry, and supplies of that sort. Naturally, it increases your water usage as well. With more people in a home comes more flushing of the toilets, more showering and baths, more laundry loads, and more hand- and dish-washing at the sink.If your home has a septic tank, more water usage = more septic system usage.
What most people don’t know is that septic systems rely on balance and rest periods to process waste more efficiently. If it isn’t having time to process things as well, you risk overloading the whole system.
What does "overloading the system" mean?
When too much water enters a septic tank too quickly, it can lead to significant problems. Septic tanks are designed to allow time for solids to settle at the bottom (forming sludge) and for oils and grease to rise to the top (forming scum).
A sudden surge of water—like when hosting parties, long-term guests, or running multiple water-heavy appliances in a short time—can disrupt this process. The excess flow may cause solids to remain suspended and get pushed into the drain field where they can clog the soil and lead to system failure.
In addition to system failure, the drain field can become flooded when it is forced to handle more water than it was designed for. This can prevent proper absorption and filtration, resulting in wastewater pooling on the surface, foul odors, or even sewage backing up into the home. Yikes. Every homeowner's nightmare.
Rapid influxes of water can also dilute or flush out the beneficial bacteria inside the tank that are responsible for breaking down waste. Without these bacteria, the decomposition process slows down, increasing the risk of sludge buildup and future blockages.
Ultimately, overloading a septic system with too much water can lead to:
- backups,
- unpleasant smells, and
- necessary, but costly repairs.
Preventing this kind of overload, especially during times of increased household activity like during BBQ season, is key to keeping your septic system healthy and functioning properly.
Tips On How to Prevent Water Overuse
From sprinklers, pools, and slip-n-slides to laundry, dishes, and showers, summer time increases the need for water usage. But with all of these things going on, the high influx of water usage is something to be aware of if you have a septic system.An easy go-to hack to prevent over-using water and overloading your septic tank is to stagger your water-heavy activities. For example, avoid running laundry and the dishwasher back-to-back during events, or even wait until the evening or night to run them at all. This ensures your septic tank has plenty of time to filter the wastewater and disperse into the drain field safely.
A great way to monitor your water usage is to be using water-efficient fixtures and appliances. This can include low-flow toilets and faucets or washing machines with an eco option and some form of water-sensing technology.
What Not to Put Down the Drain at Summer Cookouts
Aside from water usage, what goes down your drain can also impact your septic system in a big way—especially during summer gatherings. Cookouts, potlucks, and BBQs usually involve a lot of food prep and cleanup. Unfortunately, it’s common for grease, fat, and food scraps to find their way into kitchen sinks during these busy moments, and that’s a fast track to septic stress.Grease and cooking oil might seem harmless when hot and in liquid form, but they solidify as they cool, sticking to your pipes and accumulating inside your septic tank. Over time, this buildup reduces the tank's capacity and can cause blockages. Always collect grease in a container and throw it in the trash once it cools.
Food scraps like corn cobs, bones, coffee grounds, and fruit rinds should never go into your garbage disposal if you're on a septic system. Even small bits can build up and disrupt the bacterial balance that helps break down waste.
Also, be careful about pouring alcohol, bleach, or chemical cleaners down the drain after parties or cleaning up. These substances can kill the beneficial bacteria that your septic system relies on to function properly. Choose biodegradable or septic-safe cleaning products instead.
Lastly, remind guests—especially kids—not to flush anything other than toilet paper. Wipes, paper towels, napkins, and feminine hygiene products can clog your system and cause backups, even if they’re labeled "flushable."
BBQ Season Septic Checklist: Simple Prevention Steps
To make sure your summer celebrations go off without a hitch, keep these septic-friendly practices in mind:-
Spread out water-heavy tasks over several hours or days.
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Use a strainer in the kitchen sink to catch food scraps.
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Dispose of grease and oil in the trash, not the sink.
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Limit garbage disposal use, or avoid it altogether.
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Schedule a septic inspection if you haven’t had one in the last 2–3 years.
Protect Your Septic System & Your Summer Fun
Your septic system may be out of sight, but it should never be out of mind, especially during the busy summer months in Twin Falls. With just a little planning and a few preventative steps, you can avoid unpleasant surprises and costly repairs.If you’re unsure about your system’s condition or it's been a while since your last septic tank pumping or inspection, now’s the perfect time to get ahead of it.
Contact your trusted local septic professionals, Bill’s Sewer and Drain, before the season is in full swing and enjoy your BBQs, pool parties, and late-night s’mores without worry! Call (208) 733-2607 today to get your septic system maintenance done right.
