It’s that time of year to start preparing your home for cold weather conditions. Temperatures hovering around the freezing mark pose a risk to your septic tank and plumbing system. Fortunately, there are a number of preventative measures you can take to avoid issues such as burst pipes or a frozen tank. Below are a few tips to follow that will help you stay comfortable all season long.

3 Tips for Winterizing Your Septic System

1. Clean the Area Around Your Tank

Inspect the area around the septic tank cover and drainage field to ensure it is clear of all lawn furniture, gardening tools, and debris. Heavy vehicles like tractors should never be parked above the field. In case of an emergency, there must be a way to easily access the tank.

2. Schedule Septic Pumping

Septic pumping is a service that removes the liquid and floating sludge from your tank to prevent it from building up and causing blockages. If it’s about that time to have your tank pumped, it’s best to do it before winter begins. As the temperatures drop and the ground begins to get cold, it can be difficult to break the ground and gain access to the tank.

3. Insulate the Drainage Field

Insulating the drainage field is an essential practice—it will protect the tank from exposure to freezing temperatures. While snow acts as a blanket of insulation, areas where there’s only frost can cause the drainage field to freeze over, which is more likely in the South. You can purchase an insulation blanket and lay it over the entire drainage field after it‘s been cleared of debris.

Keep your septic system safe through the winter with help from the team at Martin’s Septic Service in Milledgeville, GA. Serving Eatonton, Lake Oconee, and Lake Sinclair with over 15 years in the industry, they specialize in a wide range of residential and commercial septic services—everything from septic pumping and maintenance to plumbing repair. They also 24/7 emergency service in case you run into any problems with your plumbing system that just can’t wait. Give them a call today at (478) 452-8272 to speak with a representative or visit their website for more information about their services.