Winter Septic Care

Apr 24, 2021Septic Systems

We all know midwest winters can be particularly nasty and aren’t to be messed with. And while snow blowing, shoveling, and staying warm can take precedence during winter, it’s important to remember that septic services are extremely important to maintain during the winter – even more so than the rest of the year. Cold weather can have very dangerous effects on your septic system, and maintaining system with regular visits by Curry’s can help prevent disaster. Here are some of the most common issues winter can cause for your septic system.

Fats, Oils, & Greases (FOGs)

When temperatures get below freezing, fats, oils, and greases can present unique challenges for your septic system. It’s very important to reduce the amount of FOGs that enter your system, especially during winter when these substances are prone to solidifying in pipes and creating blockages within your septic tank. With many seasonal festivities, septic systems often see an increase in rich, oily, and fatty foods than the rest of the year. Taking steps to limit the amount of FOGs entering your system will help alleviate issues for your septic system in the winter, but it is still important to have routine maintenance to remove any accumulated FOGs and prevent clogs from happening within your septic system.

Septic System Bacteria in the Winter

The solids within your septic tank are broken down by hardworking bacteria year round. This bacterial environment is vital to a properly functioning system and are most productive and efficient in temperatures over 50°F. When temperatures fall below that, bacteria become lethargic and don’t work as fast as in warmer temperatures, resulting in a reduction in your system’s efficiency at breaking down solids within your tank. This causes solids to accumulate faster, and if gone unchecked, those solids can overwhelm your tank, backup into your home, or flow out into the drain field, causing a system failure. Scheduling a winter septic cleaning is the best way to give your septic system a hand during the colder months.

Soil Saturation During Winter

When snow slowly melts into the ground, rather than running off into nearby streams and lakes, the water table begins to rise. A higher water table means drain fields have less room to filter out microscopic particles and bacteria from the effluent flowing from the septic tank. Overwhelming the septic system with too much water during the winter can cause the drain field to flood the area around your system with harmful contaminants. It’s extremely important to practice water conservation habits, especially in the winter, when cold temperatures make systems less efficient and the higher water table allows less room to dispel excess water. Routine wintertime cleanings can prevent the system from becoming overwhelmed.

CURRY’S CAN KEEP YOUR SEPTIC SYSTEM RUNNING SMOOTHLY! 

Curry’s has the experts, equipment, and know how to care for your system properly. From emergency repairs, to routine septic maintenance and installation, we’ll be here for you. Contact us to schedule your septic service today!

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