The winter months can be harsh on your septic system, and experiencing a few issues with your septic tank during this season is not uncommon. As your septic services experts, here at Jones Septic, we’re keen on sharing the best practices when it comes to septic system management and maintenance to ensure your safety and your family’s.
- Tank Components that Freeze
Your tank’s components can get frozen during the winter, making waste unable to be broken down. However, if you provide your septic system with an insulating cover or blanket to keep it warm during the colder months, you can easily overcome the issue. Further, vegetation around your tank can help shield it from the cold as well. Also, making sure to run your water and use your septic system every day can also help reduce the risk of freezing. - Compacted Snow and Soil over Your Septic Tank
Driving over snow with your car or plow can cause it to compact above your tank or drain field. When this is combined with cold temperatures, it can turn the soil above your tank and in your drain field compact and dense, which makes it less effective at insulating your tank and causing your system to freeze. When the soil in your drain field compacts, wastewater will not be properly filtered and drained, but you can avoid this by aerating your soil before the cold weather sets in and by avoiding driving over these parts of your lawn. - Pipes that Don’t Function Correctly
Pipes with leaks or clogs cause improper drainage. Additionally, leaks during the cold season cause water to freeze and can damage your septic system further. Clogs can also cause wastewater to accumulate in your pipes and freeze over, which will damage your system and contaminate your drinking water. You can prevent these issues by fixing leaky pipes before the cold sets in and getting rid of any clogs before the winter starts.
