As reliable as septic systems are most of the time, they can develop problems during the winter due to the colder weather. If you want to make sure that your septic system stays in good condition this winter, here are a few things that you can do.

1. Pump Your Septic Tank

If you don’t use your septic tank very often or if you shut it down in the winter, have it pumped out. That way, you’ll have a clean septic tank with warm effluent when it gets warm outside again. Not only will this be good for the tank itself, but the warm effluent will also help maintain the optimal conditions in the soil surrounding the tank.

2. Keep Using Your Septic Tank

If you’re going to be home during the winter, try to use your septic tank more often to keep it active. Anything that creates normal household wastewater, such as washing your dishes or doing your laundry, will be enough to keep your septic system active and prevent the sewage in the tank from freezing.

3. Winterize Your Pipes

Frozen pipes can do a lot of damage to your septic system, so winterize your pipes before it gets too cold outside. First, shut off the water to any outdoor spigots and fixtures. Next, open the spigots to allow all the remaining water to drain out. If there are any exposed pipes outdoors or in your basement, wrap them in pipe insulation. It seems like a simple solution, but it does help prevent them from freezing.

As tempting as it may be to put antifreeze in your septic system to keep everything from freezing, this is a very bad idea. All it will do is disrupt the bacterial balance in the tank and reduce your system’s effectiveness.

4. Stop Yard Work Early

You don’t want to remove too many leaves or cut your grass too short right before winter arrives. The additional cover will insulate your drainfield and prevent everything from freezing, especially when it snows enough to cover the ground.

4. Add Septic Additives to Your Tank

Cold weather can kill much of the helpful bacteria inside your septic tank and make your entire septic system less efficient. To prevent the worst of this from happening, put some septic additives in your tank after you’ve pumped your tank but before temperatures start to fall.

Your septic system serves an important function for your home, and you’ll want to keep it in good condition throughout the winter. For more winter septic system maintenance tips or if you need any septic system repairs or maintenance for your Greensboro, NC home, contact Billingsley & Brooks Septic Tank Co. today.