Your septic system serves you all year round. However, summer is a great time to pay a little extra attention to its care and maintenance. The following are some tips and tricks that can help you better care for your septic system in the summer. 

If you need the tank pumped, schedule it now. 

It is generally easier for septic cleaning companies to pump tanks in the summer. The soil is softer, so they can dig up your tank cover more easily. The tank will also be performing at its best since the soil is thawed. It can be tempting to tell yourself the tank will be fine until next spring or summer, but putting off this maintenance can lead to backups and overflows, neither of which are fun to deal with. If you notice any of the following signs, you certainly need to have your tank pumped:

• Your drains are slower

• Several of your drains smell, either some or all of the time

• There's standing water in your yard

• The area around your septic tank seems overly wet

• Your yard smells like sewage

Don't park on or otherwise damage your drainfield.

The drainfield is the part of your yard into which your septic tank empties. The soil in this area should be loose and able to absorb liquid from the tank. To keep it that way, make sure you don't let anyone park or drive on the drainfield. Also avoid rolling the lawn in this area, building anything on top of it, or doing anything else that may put top-down pressure on the soil.

Identify and fix leaks

If you have not had your septic tank inspected in a few years, now is the time to have this done. If your septic company detects any leaks or other issues, they can repair those leaks before winter comes and they become a bigger deal. Most septic companies will do a quick inspection when they come out to pump the tank, but if you want them to be more thorough (and you often do), then you may need to pay for an additional inspection service.

Summer is the time to care for your septic tank. If you suspect it needs pumping, take care of that now. Also consider having an inspection, and be careful about where people drive and park in your yard.

If you have any questions, contact a local septic service.