There is never a good time to have problems with your septic tank, but it is especially important to ensure your system is in good working order for the winter. Bigfoot Pumping & Thawing in North Pole, AK, is the area’s leading septic tank maintenance and pipe thawing specialist. With more than 30 years of experience, their team has seen what can go wrong when septic systems are ignored when the weather turns cold.

Prevent your tank from freezing by following these septic tank maintenance best practices:

• Opt for Pumping Service: If you are leaving for the winter have your septic tank emptied so that it does not freeze and will be working when you return.  Otherwise once yearly pumping maintenance will prevent rude septic backups during the winter holiday seasons!
• Inspect the Area Around Your System: If you had ground water over your system this fall you may have a problem with your system leeching.  Inspect the area above and around your system if you systems standpipes are not sealed correctly excess water can enter the system and cause it to backup.  
• Watch Your Water Use: Daily water use is usually sufficient to keep water moving in your system, which will help stop your pipes from freezing. However, too much water is a problem. Make sure your faucets and pipes aren’t leaky to avoid overloading your tank and causing waste lines to freeze.
• Be on the Lookout for Issues: You need to constantly monitor your system for signs of problems. If you notice slow drains or hear gurgling noises in your house when water is running this could be a sign the system is not working properly.  If you notice any odors in your house or outside give us a call we can help you figure out what is causing this.
• Make Sure Your System Is Insulated:  Any exposed sewer lines should be insulated.  You should not put anything on top of your sewer system or park anything over the lines or the system as this will cause freezing.  You do not need to put anything on your system to prevent it from freezing believe it or not SNOW is a great insulator, just be sure to not shovel it off the line or the system.

Staying on top of septic tank maintenance is the best way to keep your system performing as it should year round. For all your septic tank pumping and drain cleaning needs, rely on the experts at Bigfoot Pumping & Thawing. Call (907) 488-9855, or visit them online for more information on their services.