Winter is a-coming! Winter and your septic system

Your septic system can feel the wrath of winter too, when the snow falls and the temperature drops, remember to keep your septic system bundled up!

Depending on your system, location, and water use, your septic system could freeze during the winter months. The pipe connecting the house to the tank, the septic tank, the pipe connecting the septic tank to the leaching field and the leaching field are the parts of the system that commonly freeze up if not properly protected.

It’s important as a homeowner to maintain your system and have regular inspections prior to the winter months; however septic systems need to be kept warm during the winter too! Systems are more likely to freeze up during cold periods with no snow as oppose to periods with snowfall. To insulate your septic system simply place a foot of mulch (grass clippings, straw, hay or leaves) over top of it or let the grass grow long in the fall. The mulch and/or grass act as a snow fence and will catch the snow. Adequate snow cover benefits the system as it acts as natural insulator. The air spaces between the snow flakes trap warm air creating an insulating blanket over the soil. For additional insulation, Styrofoam sheets can be installed above the septic tank.

Your septic tank can freeze from a combination of problems or from one major issue, some of the common causes of septic system freezing include:

• Lack of snow cover: snow acts as an insulator, without adequate cover the system is exposed to the cold temperatures.
• Compacted snow: if there are no spaces between the snow flakes, there is little insulation.
• Compacted soil: pipes in the leaching bed can break or shift if the soil is compacted.
• Lack of plant cover: grasses and plants provide insulation as well as trap snow.
• Leaky pipes, faucets, or toilets: water constantly dripping into the system can cause freezing.
• Irregular use of system: little water use yields freezing in the system as there is no movement through the system.
• Waterlogged system: if the leaching bed is saturated with wastewater, it could freeze solid in winter.

If your system freezes, make sure you call a qualified septic professional as soon as possible. Never use car antifreeze, salt, or additives in attempt to thaw out your system by yourself. Also, do not run water continually through the system or use fire to unfreeze the system.

To keep your septic system protected from the harsh conditions of winter, make sure to place mulch over your system, keep snowmobiles (and all other vehicles) off the leaching field, routinely check toilets and faucets for leaks, as well as get your system inspected before winter to make sure there are no cracks or leaks.