How to Prepare Your Septic System for Winter

Inspect the Septic Tank

Check the lid of your tank for any holes or leaks. The tank shouldn't let any water. The tank's drainage system should also be checked out to make sure there are no blockages that can cause issues. Make a note of the location of your tank lid or manhole cover while you are checking things out in case snow covers them up. Eliminating water leaks inside your home is just as important as checking the tank lid for cracks or damage. Keep in mind that you shouldn't have any extra water in your tank. Additionally, if left unchecked, a dripping faucet can damage the interior. Contact a septic company and schedule an appointment for a septic inspection before winter.

Prepare Your Home and Pipes

Winterize your plumbing and home before the cold sets in if you won't be living there during the winter. Drain and winterize your pipes after having a septic tank pumping in Mooresville. Have the septic system inspected once more for signs of damage from the winter before returning to your property in spring.

Keep Water Flowing

Since moving water does not freeze, it should stay flowing through the system daily. This isn't a problem for most families with active members. Regular plumbing use, such as taking showers, washing dishes, and doing laundry, should provide sufficient action to stop the tank's liquid from freezing. Having said that, avoid overfilling your tank and allowing a faucet to run continuously. Overfilling the tank with water can have its own set of issues. Insulate your pipes and always maintain a high temperature indoors if you are concerned about your pipes freezing.

Septic Tank Pumping

We offer clean-out services throughout the year and highly recommend having septic tank pumping every two to four years. Get in touch with Charlotte Septic Pros right away to set up an appointment if your tank needs to be serviced. You don’t want to be worrying about a septic backup during the winter. We can also check your tank and septic system thoroughly to make sure they are prepared for the cold.

Remove Traffic Around the Septic System

Reducing activities in the area of the drain field and the septic tank is an important winter maintenance tip for your system. Keep any mechanized vehicles off of the ground over the system since they can compel snow further into the dirt and nearer to your tank and drain field, causing freezing issues. Also, don't shovel snow that is above the drain field; instead, let it melt on its own.

Insulate Your System

Your septic system, like you, likes to stay warm in the winter to keep working and avoid problems. First, have a septic company inspect the system to ensure the septic tank is secure and free of holes or leaks. Second, get some insulation for the drain field. During the warmer months, the easiest way to insulate your drain field is to let the grass grow over it to keep heat in to prevent freezing and damage. Alternatively, you can purchase drain field blankets with specialized insulation.

If you need more tips on preparing your septic system for the winter, call Charlotte Septic Pros.