Millions of leaves descend to the ground during the fall. While they can be a beautiful sight, they can be a huge nuisance for homeowners. One particular issue is them clogging your septic system. This post will explore how leaves can ruin your septic lines and a few ways you can protect your sewer from them.

Do Leaves Cause Problems for Septic Lines?

Surprisingly, leaves can create serious issues for septic lines. Large quantities of them can collect together and make a large wet bundle. The longer they stick together, the harder they’ll be to remove. Eventually, the clump could block pipes making it harder for your sewer to function. Sometimes, the mold they produced could also eat away at the pipes causing them to crack.

Because of the unique gravity situation with your sewer, the more the leaves sit on its drainage field, the more likely they will cause it to sink. This could create heavy puddles which could lead to sinkholes.

How to Protect Your Sewer From Leaves

Rake Leaves Away From It: One of the best ways to prevent leaves from clogging your sewer is to consistently remove them. While this might be a hassle at first, it will be worth it in the end. Regular raking will prevent leaf build-up around the sewer. It can also stop mold growth within the leaves which could eventually sneak into your home. Make sure to fully remove them though from the spot. Otherwise, they could blow back and fill the area again.

Do Regular Inspections: You’ll also want to frequently check the sewer and the devices connected to it. If you notice your toilet backing up, the sounds of running water in the walls, or smell a strong odor coming from the sewer, you’ll want to get it checked out immediately by a professional.

Use a Drain Guard: If your home has an outdoor drain it’s an easy target for leaves. To stop them from flushing into this area, place a drain guard over it. This slotted tool allows water to easily flow into the section but keeps leaves out. Keep in mind that you’ll need to wipe it off every so often so the rain can easily flow through.

Colorful fall leaves are a stunning natural wonder but they can wreak havoc on your sewer. If you’re concerned they might have caused sewer or water damage, in Sonoma County, contact RCS. Our team will inspect the issue and get to work fixing it.