How to Winter Prep Your Septic System

Winter prepping your home brings peace of mind and the assuredness that whatever the season throws your way, you’ll be ready. With predictions hinting towards a snowy and chilly winter, it’s better to prepare sooner than later. Waiting until winter begins to address any needs involves missing out on crucial time, advantageous weather and potentially not meeting certain timelines. 

Waiting too long with a full septic tank is a recipe for disaster. Want to protect your septic system and ensure it works successfully this winter? Start early and follow these tips.

How to Prep Your Septic System This Winter

Pump Your Tank Early

Getting an early start is key to successful winter prep and forgetting to pump your tank has the potential to create major issues for your system. If you have a scheduled maintenance date that falls during the winter or spring, moving the date to the fall saves you a lot of trouble. During the winter, it’s more difficult to pump. This is especially true after large snowfalls or during a storm.

The other problem that arises is that demand for certain services increases before the winter months. You don’t want to be waiting weeks with a full septic tank in January.  By planning early, you avoid this rush and any dangers that come with a full septic tank. If you don’t already have a set pumping schedule, contact your local service provider to create one that preferably starts before the winter.

Add Septic Additives 

Whether it’s in the middle of a blizzard or during a holiday get-together, the last thing you want is signs that your septic system is not working as it should. Using septic additives keeps your system running efficiently so guests won’t notice any septic odors, slow draining or septic backup. There are two types of additives, one added immediately following a tank pumping and one poured down the drain whenever. The latter is the better choice if your next pumping is not in the near future.

Invest in Septic Pipelining

A broken or leaking pipe is a stressful situation any time of the year, but during the winter, it can turn a cozy evening inside into a sleepless night. Pipelining addresses this issue without the need for excavation or unnecessary downtime. This works as both a method of leak prevention and the repairing of any existing damage. Pipeline repairs in the summer or fall saves you headaches during the winter, but luckily are still possible even after the ground has frozen in even our northernmost regions.

Proactive septic maintenance saves you time and money during the winter or any season. If you have any questions about your septic service options this winter, call Wind River Environmental at 1-800-499-1682. For any of your other septic needs, don’t hesitate to contact WRE today!