Winter Septic Tank Care: What You Need to Know

Just because the weather has started to cool off does not mean you can ignore your home's septic system. You should keep in mind several things to ensure your septic system remains healthy and operational during the fall and winter months. The following are some tips to help ensure your septic system remains in good working order all fall and winter long.

Do Not Avoid Septic Tank Pumping

Although the warmer months are ideal for septic tank pumping, do not avoid this important part of septic maintenance because the weather is cold. Septic tank companies offer pumping services all year long.

Pump and clean a septic tank once every few years based on your home's size and your family's habits. If your tank is due for service in the winter, do not try to delay the pumping until the weather warms up. You risk potential sewage backup inside your house if you put the service off for too long.

Be Careful With Snow Removal

If you get snow, be careful when you remove it from your landscape. In freezing temperatures, snow acts as an insulator. The snow can prevent the contents inside the septic tank from freezing and causing damage. Instead, just wait for the snow to melt as the temperatures move above freezing.

Once the snow melts, consider placing a layer of leaves, hay, or other vegetation on top of the septic tank to help insulate the system to prevent freezing. You can alternatively purchase a frost blanket to place on top of the septic tank.

In addition to snow being helpful to the septic tank, removing the snow may cause damage. If a snowplow or snow blower drives over the septic tank location, you risk damage to the entire system.

Check for Damage

Just before cold weather begins, check your entire septic system for damage. Look at the lid of your tank to make sure it has no cracks. You should have no leaking water under the lid or on any other components of the system.

Mark the Septic Tank Location

In the event of a problem, know the exact location of the septic tank. During spring and summer weather, you can easily identify the location of the septic tank. Locating the septic tank may be more difficult in the event of snow. For that reason, mark your septic tank with a small flag or another landmark to ensure you can find the tank lid.