Winter Septic Tank Tips from Septic System Pumping Services in Strafford County, NH

At B.H. Cameron Septic Services LLC, we always advise our clients to have their septic tanks cleaned either right before or right after winter. However, sometimes there are septic tank needs that arise during winter that cannot be put off.

Tanks that have too much accumulated sludge could become problematic during the cold winter months. Fixing a failed septic tank during winter can be quite challenging and costly, which is why it’s important to get your routine septic maintenance and other septic system pumping services in Strafford County, NH done before the winter sets in.

It is possible for the septic tank and/or the main pipe line to freeze during winter, depending on how deep the pipe is located and how deep the frost has penetrated. Snow can actually act as an insulator, so if there is snow on the ground, there is less of a chance of the septic tank freezing. However, if there is no snow, or if the snow has become compacted, there is not as much insulation protecting the septic system. In addition, driving equipment over the septic system will compact the snow and push the frost down deeper.

Standard septic system care

In the majority of cases, septic tanks should be cleaned once every three years or so. However, if it gets frequent use, those cleanings could be required yearly, especially if you have a large family. If you don’t know when your tank was last cleaned, you can measure the depth of the sludge in the tank by wrapping a white cloth around a pole that’s long enough to reach the bottom of the tank. If the depth is more than 12 inches, you will need to call a plumber.

Cleaning a septic tank involves more than just pumping out the liquid. It takes a licensed specialist to actually get that tank clean. Do not add any additives without first speaking to a plumber to ensure you do not damage the system.

What happens if the system does freeze?

If your tank does freeze during the winter, the first thing you should do is call your septic tank specialist. As long as our trucks are able to get to where the tank is located, we can help you resolve your issue during the winter.

You must first be able to identify what is causing the freezing to occur. If you do not identify this cause correctly, the system will just freeze again next winter. Our team knows exactly what to look for when trying to find leaks or problems in septic systems.

In the meantime, here are a few things you should NEVER do while waiting for your septic professionals to arrive:

• NEVER add any antifreeze, salt or other additives into your septic system
• NEVER pump sewage onto the surface of the ground
• NEVER light an open flame over the system in an attempt to thaw it
• NEVER keep water running in an attempt to thaw the system

For more information about winter septic service, contact us for septic system pumping services in Strafford County, NH.

Categorised in: Septic Pumping

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