Keeping Your Septic System Safe in Winter
Harsh winter weather can provide septic tanks with problems. From frozen ground, to frozen pipes, unique issues may arise which need to be addressed. Here are some tips to prepare for winter and hopefully avoid problems with your septic tank.
1. Difficulty Reaching Septic Tank to Pump
When the ground freezes or snow accumulates, it creates an extra barrier to reach your tank. Tank pumping and maintenance suddenly become a nuisance when you need to dig through hard or snowy ground. Ideally, you should plan ahead by scheduling tank maintenance during a warmer month.
Another solution is to install a septic tank riser. A riser simplifies this issue by providing an above ground access point to your system and tank. Risers are built to withstand the harsh winter months, providing a sturdy solution. Learn more about risers here.
2. Snow and Soil Pressure on Tank
If snow and soil are compacted and pushed down around your septic system it can cause a number of problems.
Compacted soil and snow:
- Does not insulate tank as well, potentially causing a frozen system
- May prevent wastewaster from filtering and draining properly
- Creates pressure over tank and piping which can lead to damage and ultimately freeze easier
Prevention Tips:
- Do not drive vehicles or heavy equipment over your tank or drain field. Actually, driving over your tank should be avoided at any time of year, but can cause the most problems in winter months.
- Remove snow build up over system.
- Aerate soil around septic system before winter.
3. Frozen Septic System Pipes or Components
When snow or frost gets around your septic tanks and surrounding parts, then freezes, problems can occur. Particularly, it slows down or prevents the healthy bacteria in your tank from breaking down waste. When wastewater is not broken down properly, it may cause system overload. Also, if the wastewater acculumates in a frozen line, then ruptures, this introduces a major health hazard.
Steps to Prepare:
- Insulate your septic tank and system using: a cover, blanket, straw, leaves and/or dirt. Consider covering your leach field too.
- Plant vegetation nearby to help shield your tank from the cold.
- Run water and use tank daily.
- Keep pipes free from leaks and clogs, so line stays warm and drainage works properly.
About Miller Septic
Miller Septic is a local owned company that offers residential and commercial septic cleaning services. We have over 30 years of experience meeting the needs of Northeast Ohio residents and businesses. Our services include: pumping septic tanks, locating septic tanks, providing point of sale inspections, cleaning grease traps and catch basins, hauling municipal sludge, providing leach line rejuvenation and more! We proudly serve Holmes County, Wayne County, Tuscarawas County, Coshocton County, Stark County, Ashland County and Carroll County. Contact us today for help keeping your septic system safe during the winter months.
You had a great suggestion to not allow snow and ice to compact over your septic tank. I can see how the extra weight would be an issue. We plan on getting our septic tank service before the ground freezes.
Thanks for pointing out that to prevent your septic system from freezing in the winter you can make sure to run your water and use your tank daily. My husband and I always seem to have problems with our septic tank freezing in the winter because it gets so cold here. I think it would also be smart to make sure that we get maintenance done on it before the winter so that we can help prevent problems.
Thank you for the tips about dealing with a septic tank in the winter. My sister has been thinking about getting a septic tank. I will send this to her so that she can know what may happen.
I liked that you explained that it would be smart to check my septic system for frozen pipes. It might be smart for me to consider getting checked for damage in the winter. As a new homeowner, I don’t want to make sure that my plumbing systems work well.
It makes sense that snow and soil pushing against your septic system can cause damages. My wife and I need to have our septic system cleaned before winter. We’ll be sure to learn how to maintain our system so that it isn’t damaged in the future.