If your septic system freezes during winter, you run the risk of burst pipes and expensive repairs. However, by staying vigilant in the months before the coldest weather arrives, you can reduce this possibility. If your piping freezes despite your best efforts, don’t try to resolve the problem yourself—call a professional plumbing and pipe thawing service. Certified professionals will safely resolve the issue with steamers and high-pressure jets. They will also determine what caused the problem, so you can prevent it next winter.

Here are the pipe thawing tactics you should avoid if your septic tank freezes:

• Using Chemicals: Never add antifreeze, salt, or other additives to your system in an effort to open a frozen line. Salt and antifreeze will hinder the biological actions of your tank and harm the land that makes up your septic field.
• Starting a Fire Near Your Septic Tank: Flames should never be ignited anywhere near a septic tank. Methane gas, which is discharged by the tank’s contents, is highly flammable and can explode.
• Running Water Constantly: While using warm or hot water regularly to do laundry or take baths during the cold months can keep a system from freezing, you should not run it continuously. In fact, this may overload your system, especially if the pipes are already frozen.
• Pumping Water Onto the Ground: Pumping wastewater outside of your treatment system contaminates the local environment and is generally unsanitary. If your system freezes, call pipe thawing professionals instead.

Bigfoot Pumping & Thawing provides pipe thawing, septic tank pumping, and maintenance services to residents throughout North Pole, AK, and the surrounding areas. These trained professionals have the know-how and skills to help you resolve your frozen septic system problems safely and efficiently. Call them today at (907) 488-9855, or contact them online to receive more helpful plumbing information.