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Reduce Risk of a Frozen Septic System

Reduce Risk of a Frozen Septic System, Acreage Insights for January 2018, http://communityenvironment.unl.edu/reduce-risk-frozen-septic-system

Although there are many predictors, ranging from the width of bands on the wooly bear caterpillars to the Farmer’s Almanac, we never know what kind of winter we’re in for. When thinking about septic systems, a heavy snowfall that stays all winter is a good thing, because it insulates the system from the cold. Bitterly cold temperatures for a week or more with little snow cover can lead to a frozen system.

There are a number of things you can do to reduce the chances of a frozen septic system this winter.

Use Warm Water. Use water, the warmer the better if your system is starting to freeze. Normally we advocate water conservation, but if freezing is a concern, increase your water use from low to normal. Do at least one warm/hot water activity per day, such as a load of laundry, using your dishwasher, or taking a hot bath. Never leave water running all the time, as this will overload the system with too much water.

Plan for an Extended Absence. If you know you are going to be gone for an extended period, plan accordingly. Have a house sitter flush the toilet, run some hot water, and maybe even do some laundry; in other words, use sufficient quantities of water in the home regularly.

Otherwise, have your tank pumped before leaving. One word of caution about empty tanks- if you live in an area with a high water table, only have the tank pumped if it was designed for high water table conditions; it may “float.” Also, some plastic tanks may not be able to withstand soil pressures if left empty.

If a tank is left full for several winter months when no one is using water, the sewage will get very cold in shallow tanks and can even freeze in very cold temperatures. If you return home before temperatures start to rise, the effluent leaving the tank will be cold. By starting with an empty tank, you can start fresh with warm effluent. If you use a cabin on a limited basis during the winter months, this may be a good idea as well.

If you have appliances that generate very low flows such as high efficiency furnaces, put a heat tape on the pipe, and while on vacation have someone come by and run warm water for a while. Alternately, you could install a small condensate pump that holds and discharges 2 gallons per cycle.

Keep Vehicles Away. Keep all types of vehicles and high traffic activities off the system to avoid pushing frost down toward system components. Keep an eye on your system. If any seeping or ponding occurs contact a certified onsite professional to help determine the cause and remedy.

Reduce Risk of a Frozen Septic System, Acreage Insights for January 2018, http://communityenvironment.unl.edu/reduce-risk-frozen-septic-systemApply a thick mulch, such as straw, to insulate the septic field. Image from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Next year, there are additional steps you can take to protect your septic system.

Pump the Tank. If you don’t remember having your septic tank pumped, have it pumped and the system checked by a certified pumper before the ground freezes. Professionals recommend having the system pumped every 3 to 5 years, although the ideal interval varies depending on water usage and the size of the system. However, 15 years between pumping is too long!

Let the Grass Grow. Let the grass over the pipes, tank, and soil treatment system get a little longer in the late summer/fall. This will provide extra insulation and help hold any snow that may fall. Place an 8 to 12-inch layer of mulch over the entire system to provide extra insulation. This mulch could be straw, leaves, hay, or any other loose material that will stay in place and will not compact. This is especially important if you have had a new system installed late in the year and no vegetative cover has been established.

The original version of this article was written by Jan Hygnstrom, former project manager for University of Nebraska - Lincoln Department of Agronomy & Horticulture and adapted from Freezing Problems and Septic Systems, Ken Olsen and Sarah Heger, University of Minnesota Extension.

Meghan Sittler
Meghan Sittler
Extension Educator - Domestic Water & Wastewater
Meghan's education includes a master's degree in natural resources with minors in political science and environmental planning. She also has a graduate certification in public policy analysis, as well as undergraduate degrees in environmental studies and anthropology from UNL. Her graduate project was focused on the development of collaborative and adaptive management for the Missouri River.

Sittler began as coordinator of the Lower Platte River Corridor Alliance in December 2008. Prior to that, Sittler worked for the National Park Service as an archaeological technician, an environmental educator with the Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department, an adviser and instructor with the UNL Environmental Studies program and School of Natural Resources and as a research and outreach specialist for the National Drought Mitigation Center. Meghan began her work as a Nebraska Extension Educator focussing on water in 2016.

Lancaster County Extension Office
444 Cherrycreek Rd
Lincoln NE 68528-1591
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