Fall is here and before the ground freezes, there are a few things you can do to prepare your septic system for winter. Consult your septic pumping schedule to see if your tank needs pumping, check the system cover and take a few measures to prevent the drainage field and tank from freezing.
#1: Have Your Septic System Pumped
One of the most important ways to prepare your septic for winter is to have it pumped, and by that I mean remove the waste inside. If you live in the north this needs to be done before the ground freezes and the snow falls. Contact a local, qualified expert to pump your septic and never open your septic yourself – this is very dangerous for the inexperienced.
Think back to the last time you had your septic pumped; how long has it been? If you’re not sure whether or not your septic needs pumping before the winter, consult this free guide to Figuring Out Your Pumping Schedule. On average, septic systems should be pumped every 3 to 5 years depending on their waste capacity and size of the household.
#2: Check the Septic System Cover for Damage
The cover to the opening of your septic system should be sturdy, visible and free of damage. It’s best to have the cover of your tank level with the grade. This makes it easier to see. Next time you have your tank pumped or maintenance performed, ask the expert to check the cover for soundness. No one should be able to fall through the cover and it shouldn’t move or sink when in place.
The purpose of checking the cover is to ensure safety. Not only can this be done as you prepare your septic for winter, but anytime throughout the year. If you have any concerns about the safety of your cover at anytime, contact an expert in your area to check on its soundness and he or she will tell you if it needs repair or if it should be replaced all together.
#3: Prevent the Drainage Field and Septic Tank from Freezing
In the north we get freezing temperatures and snow; usually lots of it. In some cases, we get freezing temperatures but there is no snow in site. During frigid periods with no snow, drain fields are more likely to freeze. Why? Snow cover acts as a natural insulation. One way to prevent a frozen drain field from happening as you prepare your septic for winter is to stop mowing the grass over the field in late September. This allows the grass to grow a little longer providing some winter insulation.
If it’s too late in the season for you to do this or there is no grass over the drain field, spread a thick layer of mulch to provide insulation. Spread the mulch so it’s about a foot deep. If the septic tank itself has no grass cover, spread mulch over it as well at 1 foot deep and 5 feet past the tanks edges.
It’s important to keep using your septic in the winter, if you’re closing up a cabin etc. for the season then that’s another story, so if you’re going to be out of town for a while, have someone come in and flush the toilet or run the sink a few times. This helps keep the septic in working order.
Image: Niteshift/Wikimedia Commons
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Beaulieu Industries of Maine 