7 Winter Maintenance Tips for Septic System Owners
Clean Earth Septic • January 10, 2021
Before the snow falls and the ground freezes over, it's important to make sure your septic system is ready for the cold months ahead. Today we're sharing a few simple ways to winterize your septic system and pipes, to protect your home's most important utility. If your home is a rental or an AirBnB that's not always occupied, these tips are especially important to prevent frozen pipes or a cracked septic tank. Keep reading to learn more, or contact us today to schedule your next septic service.
1. Inspect Your Manhole Cover or Tank Lid and the Surrounding Area for Cracks or Damage
1. Inspect Your Manhole Cover or Tank Lid and the Surrounding Area for Cracks or Damage
Inspect your tank lid for cracks or leaks. No uninvited water should be allowed into the tank. The tank’s drainage systems should also be inspected for clogs, debris and other problems that can interfere with proper drainage. While you're checking on things, make a note of where your tank lid or manhole cover is located should it become hidden by snow.
2. Check for Water Leaks Inside Your Home
Just like it's important to check the tank lid for cracks or damage, it's important to eliminate water leaks inside your home, too. Remember, you don't want any extra water in your tank. And a leaky faucet can cause interior damage if left unchecked.
3. Winterize Your Home & Pipes
If you don’t plan to occupy a home in the winter, winterize your home and plumbing before the cold sets in. Have the septic tank pumped, then drain and winterize your pipes. When you open the property again in the spring, have the septic system checked again for any signs of winter damage.
4. Keep the Water Flowing
Moving water doesn’t freeze, so move water through the system on a daily basis. For most active households, this isn’t a problem. Showers, laundry, dishwashing and regular plumbing use should provide enough action to prevent liquid in the tank from freezing. Having said that, don’t allow a faucet to run continuously, and don’t overload your tank. Too much water in the tank can cause its own set of problems! If you’re worried about your pipes freezing, insulate them and keep the heat in your house above 60° F at all times.
5. Have Your Septic Tank Pumped As Needed - Don't Postpone Due to the Cold
We highly recommend having your septic tank pumped out every 2-4 years and we offer clean out services all year round. If your tank is due to be serviced contact us today
to schedule your Twin Tiers septic service.
The last thing you want during a snowstorm is a septic backup! We can perform a thorough inspection of your tank and septic system when we do your cleanout, to ensure your system is ready for the cold.
6. Do NOT Park Cars or Equipment Above Your Septic System
When the ground is frozen it might not seem like an issue to park on a sand mound system or in the yard near your septic tank, but we recommend you avoid parking on or near your septic system anytime of year. The weight of a vehicle can cause damage to your tank, laterals/pipes or baffles.
7. Do NOT Plow Snow Off the Top of Your Septic Tank
Snow above your tank acts as insulation. We've seen tanks freeze when snow has been plowed off the top because that layer of insulation was removed. When in doubt, let the snow melt naturally. We also recommend that you inspect the ground or plant cover on/above your system if it's a new system. Septic systems installed in the fall may not have enough vegetative cover to properly insulate the system to prevent winter freezing. Placing a good layer of mulch or dry soil over the new system is an important preventative measure.
Feeling ready for winter? We hope these tips will help you be prepared as the cold weather sets in. We offer 24/7 service 12 months a year so if your tank is due to be pumped out, be sure to give us a call at 607-564-7931. Our team is standing by!
Share this post!
You might also like these helpful articles!
At Clean Earth Septic, we specialize in commercial septic system maintenance, pumping, and emergency service throughout Elmira, Van Etten, Watkins Glen, Ithaca, and the surrounding Finger Lakes region. We understand that your business can't afford septic delays — that’s why we offer prompt, professional commercial septic service you can count on.
Septic system issues can be frustrating, especially when your drain field becomes saturated or compacted. Many homeowners and business owners fear the worst—having to replace their entire septic system.
A properly maintained grease trap ensures smooth kitchen operations while preventing grease buildup from clogging your plumbing. Here are three key maintenance tips to help keep your grease trap working at its best.
At Clean Earth Septic, we’ve spent over 15 years serving Ithaca, Elmira and Finger Lakes residents, providing personalized, expert care to keep septic systems running smoothly year-round. Today we're sharing four simple ways to prepare for even the harshest winter conditions.
The more you know, the better you can maintain your home's largest (and most costly) utility!
Hot water jetting is a powerful and eco-friendly cleaning technique that uses high-pressure hot water to break down and clear away stubborn clogs, grease, and buildup in pipes and septic systems. It can also help when pipes have frozen. Keep reading to see how hot water makes all the difference!
Whether you need to dig around utility lines to install an electric pole or even something as simple as a mailbox post, hydro excavation ensures that the surrounding infrastructure remains intact. Clean Earth Septic specializes in these types of projects, reducing the chance of accidents or unexpected costs due to damaged utilities.
To ensure that your home, yard, and septic system are ready for this beautiful season, we've compiled a list of tips. You can think of it as a "to-do" list for any responsible home or business owner!
If you ever run into problems, knowing what kind of septic system you have will be essential for us to diagnose and repair things for you. Keep reading to learn more about the most common types of septic systems, or contact us today to schedule your septic service in the Twin Tiers region.
When you think about your local car wash, you're probably not thinking about where the wastewater goes... but when you work in the sewer & drain industry like us, you definitely are! Here at Clean Earth Septic Service, we work with a variety of car wash clients who rely on us to keep their businesses running.
"Super friendly, very courteous, hard working guys. Called on Saturday, booked for Monday, on time and super fast. Will definitely call again. Thank you for the great service."
Kevin D.
Corning, NY
"Had an issue where I needed a septic tank pumped in short time. Levi came right out and got it done. Their prices are great too. Would highly recommend to anyone."
Anthony F.
Horseheads, NY
