If your home is attached to a septic system, you need to be prepared for plumbing emergencies. Issues with your septic system can lead to plumbing problems such as foul drain odors, stubborn clogs, and even raw sewage in your tubs. Plumbing problems can be a real pain to deal with, especially when you have guests in the house. Now that summer is just around the corner, and you're getting ready for your out-of-town guests, you'll want to avoid septic-related plumbing problems. Here are three simple steps you can take to protect your septic system, and prevent plumbing problems this summer.

Keep the Caps On

You might not realize this, but you have clean-out drains located around the perimeter of your home. Those drains lead directly to your septic system. Each drain has a black, screw-on cap attached to it. If those caps aren't attached securely, or they're damaged, the excess water from your yard – including water from rain storms, or run-off from your sprinkler system – will flow right into your septic tanks, which could lead to an overflow situation. To prevent those problems, check your drain caps. If they're missing or damaged, replace them as soon as possible.

Watch the Weight

Now that summer is just around the corner, you'll be preparing for the warm-weather fun. If that includes above-ground pool installation, or new play equipment for your kids, you'll need to keep them away from the septic field. Too much weight on your septic field could cause it to collapse, which will lead to serious plumbing problems in your house. Not to mention, the need for a new septic system. If you're going to be having out-of-town guests arriving with their recreational vehicles, remember to have them park away from your septic field.

Ensure Proper Water Absorption

If you live in an area that experiences torrential rains, it's important to ensure proper water absorption for your soil. If you have bare dirt covering your septic system, the moisture might be absorbed too quickly, which can lead to septic problems. To protect your septic system, and avoid plumbing problems, cover the area with loose gravel or sod. Both types of ground covering will slow down the absorption of water into the soil, which will help keep your septic system healthy.

Don't take chances with septic-related plumbing issues this summer. The tips provided here will help protect your septic system, so you can enjoy your summer.  Contact a service like Advanced Sewer & Drain Cleaning if you need further help.