11/16/2017
Common Freezing Issues with Septics
There is nothing worse than having your septic freeze over during winter. Below are some of the most common freezing issues that septic owners face as winter sets in:
No protective cover from snow. Your septic system needs an insulating cover or blanket. The tank and the drain field, mound, or trench, should all have this cover to trap heat inside the system. As you know, there are resident anaerobic bacteria in the septic tank that break down the solid waste materials and treat the raw wastewater that your household produces. The heat maintains a high level of metabolism among the bacteria. If you do not provide a good snow cover, the frost will go deep into the septic components, eventually freezing the entire system.
Soil compaction. This is caused by placing heavy vehicles and structures over the septic system. When this happens, the septic underneath freezes more easily, resulting in damaged septic parts and eventually a failed system.
Long intervals of not using the septic. This often happens to various cabins or homes that are not always used during the weekend. It also takes place in homes where there are only one or two inhabitants. Wastewater does not enter the septic system regularly to prevent it from freezing.
Not enough plant cover. This usually takes place during the fall when there are new septics installed. Not enough plant cover is established before winter. The vegetative cover helps insulate the septic and aids in holding the snow.
Poor drainage in the pipes. When pipes are deteriorated, full of back-filled soil, or poorly installed, water tends to accumulate on one side and this liquid freezes over. Make sure that the wastewater drains out of the pipe.
System is waterlogged. The septic becomes water logged when it is failing hydraulically. The water that goes to the side will freeze and this will prevent the next batch of wastewater from being treated.
Cold air is in the septic. If you have it uncapped or open, surely cold air will enter the septic and freeze it over.
How You Can Keep Your Septic Functional During Winter
Winter is considered as a harsh season for your septic system.
As a responsible homeowner, you have to make sure that you perform the following to have a functional septic when snow starts to fall:
Pump out your septic tank on a regular basis. Follow your regular pump out schedule for your septic before or during winter. This will eliminate the accumulated sludge in the septic tank. When the sludge is removed regularly, solid waste particles will not flow into the drain field and clog the entire system.
Remove trees and other hardwood plants over or near your septic system. Having a garden is great but make sure that you plant away from your septic. Roots of hardwood and higher plants are invasive. They pe*****te into the system and block the normal flow of the wastewater treatment process. Roots also damage the components of the septic, resulting to wastewater leaks, backups, overflows, and flooding.
Do not treat your drains and toilets as garbage cans. Dispose of your waste properly. Do not dump grease and non-biodegradable materials into your toilets and drains. The resident bacteria cannot break down these substances. As a result, they will only accumulate and clog the system.
Do not use harsh chemicals for cleaning. These chemical compounds kill off the resident bacteria. Without bacteria, there will be no wastewater treatment at all. Use eco-friendly cleaners instead.
Refrain from driving over your septic or from building any structure over it. The heavy weight of these structures and vehicles will result to snow and soil compaction, which presses the snow into the ground more.
Place a good layer of mulch over your septic. You can do this if you know that your septic has poor plant cover and is very prone to freezing over.
Conserve water. You can do this by using your dishwasher and washing machine alternately, not using the tub every day, and taking showers.
