If your home relies on a septic system, your waste management routine is managed on your property alone, so you don’t have to deal with a municipal sewer system. However, this also means that your waste resides outside, underneath your yard, and will be affected by the cold temperatures. From septic pumping to insulation, use the following guide to prepare your system for the season’s challenges.

3 Tips for Winterizing Your Septic System

1. Schedule Septic Pumping

As waste travels through your plumbing system and into your septic tank, it’s sorted into separate layers. While the clear liquid filters out of the tank, the solids sink to the bottom. Some are broken down by bacteria, but eventually, the leftover solids will accumulate and need to be pumped out. If it’s been a while since your last pumping, it’s crucial to schedule this service before winter. Not only will the cold temperatures slow down the bacteria in their decomposition efforts, causing solids to accumulate faster, but the cold ground will also be harder to break into to complete the pumping.

2. Insulate the Drain Field

After the waste is sorted in the tank, the clear liquid moves out to the drain field, where it is filtered back into the soil. The drain field sits close to the ground’s surface and is even more vulnerable to the cold. To prevent it from freezing over and blocking the flow of liquid, cover the area over the drain field with an insulating organic material, such as straw or mulch. That way, even if it snows, there will be a warm buffer between the ice and the drain field.

3. Aerate the Soil

When the soil around your septic system is compacted, it won’t allow filtered liquid from the drain field to trickle through, causing it to be trapped inside the perforated pipes. During the winter, the weight of the snow can increase compaction, rendering your septic system unusable. If you’re hoping to avoid sewage backup and other issues, use a soil aerator to loosen the dirt before the ground freezes over.

If you’re hoping to prepare your property for the winter weather, turn to B’s Pumping in Lakeville, MN. They are proud to offer septic pumping services, so you can clean out your tank and enjoy the holidays with peace of mind. They also provide septic tank and drain field repairs at competitive rates. To learn more about their skills, visit their website, or call (952) 469-2573 to schedule an appointment.