Septic tank pumping at your Northern Virginia home will go a long way to keeping your septic system from freezing.
There are a few contributing factors that allow septic systems to freeze:
- Infrequent use of the septic system (flushing adds heat to the system)
- Constant low volume water source (furnace condensation drainage, leaking faucet) – provides water to build ice without benefit of flushing system
- Septic line installed above or too close to frost level
- Septic line buried below the compacted soil of driveways and walkways, which tend to freeze deeper
- Not enough natural insulation — such as snow or grass cover, or other vegetation.
After septic tank pumping, what else can you do to prevent your septic system from freezing?
- Use your septic system: if you plan to be away for a length of time in the winter, have someone drop by your house and use the water – flush all toilets, run all faucets, and wash some clothes in warm or hot water.
- Keep the temperature in your home at at least 60 degrees.
- Wrap and insulate any exposed outdoor pipes.
- Insulate your septic system by covering it with an 8-12 inch layer of leaves, mulch, or hay.
- Fix any leaking plumbing fixtures or appliances.
- Keep all traffic (people, animal, and vehicle) away from the system, as compacted snow and soil cause the frost to go deeper into the ground.
- Add a heater: depending on the type and age of your septic system, you may be able to add a heater to your septic system.
If your septic system freezes, do not attempt to defrost it yourself – this is a job for the experts at SES Mid Atlantic LLC. If you have any questions about septic tank pumping to prevent septic tanks from freezing in Northern VA, please call SES Mid Atlantic LLC., SES offers 24-hour emergency response for septic system malfunctions. We’ve been inspecting, servicing, maintaining and repairing septic systems for residential and commercial customers in Northern Virginia since 1987.