If your home relies on a septic system, maintenance becomes extra important in winter, even in the warmer climate of the South. The right care prevents the tank, pipes, and even the drain field from freezing and creating plumbing backups—among other problems you’d rather avoid on frigid days. Here, review septic tank pumping recommendations and other ways to keep your system operational during the coldest months of the year.

5 Septic System Winter Care Tips

1. Schedule Pumping as Soon as Possible

Regular septic tank pumping is essential, especially if it’s been more than two years since your last cleaning and you have numerous people living in your house. The process removes solid waste and scum to avoid issues such as tank cracks and leaks, sewage backups in household drains, and sludge in your drain field. 

2. Insulate the Ground

Keep the soil above your septic tank, pipes, and drain field from freezing with an 8- to 12-inch layer of straw or mulch. It creates a barrier between the soil and any Georgia snow while also making it clear where your system is located to prevent you, family members, and friends from parking over it, which is something to avoid year-round.

Excessive weight from cars as well as heavy lawn equipment can cause the tank to crack and the pipes to burst. Allowing the grass to grow over your system during fall also provides an insulating effect.

3. Keep the Hot Water Flowing

Use hot water whenever possible to prevent ice accumulation in the tank, such as by switching to the hot setting on your washing machine. And while it’s important to use hot water to avoid a frozen tank, it’s equally important to conserve water usage. Too much water entering the tank in one day can overwhelm it and cause solid waste to leak into the drain field.

4. Repair Leaky Household Fixtures

Check all your household fixtures and visible pipes for leaks since drips can create ice buildup in the pipe connecting your septic tank to your home. Call a professional to fix all leaks, which also helps avoid burst household pipes in the middle of winter.

5. Check the Cap

Inspect the concrete, polyethylene, or fiberglass cap covering your septic tank for holes, cracks, loose parts, and any other damages. Get the cover repaired quickly to keep animals looking for shelter out of the tank. A secure cover also keeps snow and clogging debris separate from the septic system. 

 

Schedule septic tank pumping with Chris Mote’s Pumping Service to prepare for winter. The locally owned pumping service has provided residents throughout the greater Gainesville and Cleveland, GA, areas with septic solutions that keep systems operational for many years. Call (770) 530-2034 to make a septic tank pumping appointment or visit the team online for a full list of their services.