As you gear up for the cold and begin winterizing your home, don’t forget about your septic tank. It’s susceptible to freezing, and it could get damaged on a cold day. If your tank freezes, it will require costly repairs that are difficult to complete during the winter, so it’s important to prepare your system before the season begins.

How to Prepare Your Septic Tank for the Winter

1. Add Mulch

When the ground around your septic tank freezes, it can cause your tank or piping to freeze. You can prevent this by placing extra soil and mulch on this area since these act as a natural blanket for your system. Adding mulch can also help you avoid clogs, line breaks, and cracking, which can disrupt your home’s waste processing. Pile it at least a foot deep, and place it next to your home’s foundation where your septic piping comes out. This is an especially important tip for vacation homes since the plumbing isn’t used often and the contents in the septic tank sit idle.

2. Keep the Area Covered

To avoid damage from freezing, you should never remove snow on top of your septic tank or outlet and inlet pipes, which are located near your home’s foundation. If you aren’t sure where the piping is located, speak with a septic system professional.

3. Schedule an Inspection

You should have your septic system inspected before winter. During an inspection, a professional will examine your system for risk factors, help winterize your system, conduct a septic pumping if needed, and make repairs on damages that could worsen over the winter, helping you to avoid costly repairs. 

4. Protect the Leach Field

If the soil in your leach field gets soggy from snow, it can disrupt how your system drains since frozen ground prevents waste from being expelled via your piping. Cover it with mulch and use a snow fence to ensure that no one walks over it. If you can’t locate your leach field, ask a septic tank professional for assistance.

Residents of Flat Head County, MT, are proud to rely on the professionals at Pedersen & Co Pumping for all their septic tank service needs. They’ve served the Flathead Valley since 1959 and provide comprehensive septic system services, including pumping, septic tank cleaning, and general maintenance. They are committed to offering friendly customer service and quality work. Call (406) 752-4321 to schedule an inspection, or visit them online to learn more about their services.