It’s that time of year when we turn our attention to preparing our home for winter, and one of the things that can sometimes get overlooked is your septic system. Just because your septic system is tucked neatly below ground doesn’t mean that it isn’t in need of some pre-winter maintenance.
Making sure you maintain and prepare your septic system in the fall is important because of the many difficulties that can present themselves when trying to maintain it during a New England winter, not the least of which is the difficulty of even locating and accessing your septic system in the snow.
So here are some things to do to make sure your septic system is in tip-top shape and ready to handle this coming winter!
Get Your Septic System Ready for Winter
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Is Your System Prone to Freezing?
Most Septic Systems do not freeze. However, if your home is vacant for any period of time (Snowbirds and Camps) it may be prone to freezing.
Proper insulation is crucial to preventing frozen pipes and drainfields.
Stop mowing the grass over the septic system in mid-to-late September to allow the grass to grow an extra 6 inches over the entire system (septic system, connecting pipes, and drainfield/mount). Then spread an additional layer of mulch, straw, or leaves 8-12 inches deep over the area.
This will help prevent frost and freezing temperature from doing any damage to your septic system and drainfield.
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Keep Traffic Away From the Drainfield Area
Make sure to keep all traffic–vehicles, humans, and animals–off of the drainfield and septic system area.
This is a good rule to follow all year long, but your plow guy may not know where your system is and inadvertently back onto. Or pile snow on your Septic tank or Field.
Staying away from the area in question and the surrounding area will help you keep your septic system as insulated and protected from frost as possible.
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Have Your Septic System Pumped
If you haven’t had your system pumped in the last three years, now is the time to do it, especially because of how difficult it can be to locate and access a septic system under a few feet of New England snow.
To ensure you remain blockage-free for the winter, we would recommend scheduling your pumping before the ground freezes.
So don’t wait to find out you HAVE to get it done in the dead of winter–get it pumped before the snow flies and be ahead of the game.
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Clean the Filter in the Fall
A great time to clean your septic tank filter is right after you’ve had it pumped out.
A dirty filter can lead to wastewater having a hard time draining out properly, which could also lead to a backup in the cold winter months.
Often when you get your septic tank pumped, the company will also clean the filter for you.
During those non-pumping years, you will want to clean your septic tank filter yourself, it is as simple as getting some personal protective gear, a screwdriver, and a hose.
Use your screwdriver to remove the baffle covering and the filter.
When you remove the filter, it will be full of solid waste (including feces), so it’s important to wear protective gear such as gloves and goggles to keep yourself safe from any pathogens that may be on the filter.
Hose off the filter, and make sure to avoid spraying yourself or anyone else who may be nearby. Check the filter for damage, place it back into the baffle, and replace the baffle covering securely.
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Have Your Septic System Inspected
Before shutting down your septic system for the season, consider having a thorough septic inspection performed by a professional.
A professional septic inspector can let you know if your septic system is in need of any maintenance before winter sets in.
If you want to have your septic system inspected before winter, please contact us today and we can help you make sure you are in good shape!