For some, living off-grid provides a quiet oasis where they can spend time alone and in nature. That is until something goes wrong. In the winter months, off-grid homeowners face a myriad of challenges, one of the most common being a frozen septic system. Learn how to prevent septic line freezing when temperatures dip and what you can do if it does occur.

Why Does Freezing Occur

Freezing septic systems happen for a variety of reasons. Septic lines are typically installed in the upper layers of the soil. This is above the frost line, meaning any water running through the pipes is subject to freezing. If you have a low line in your pipe system where water collects instead of moving through and draining correctly, you are more likely to experience freezing. You also are more likely to experience a freeze if you have a slow leak through the pipes. This might be due to a furnace or other aspect of the system. Slow leaks allow water to freeze more efficiently than water being pushed through at a more forceful pace.

Preparation

The best way to prevent your septic system from freezing is to be proactive before the winter season. If installing a new septic system in your home, do it early in the summer. This will give the surrounding vegetation ample time to grow, providing insulation for the septic tank. Also, add more insulation over the pipes and tank by placing mulch or hay on the ground.

Make sure to check your system for damage in the fall. You want to ensure there are no leaky pipes or pooling water around the system. Leaking or broken pipes can lead to easier freezing in the winter. You may want to have insulated pipes installed if you know you are prone to particularly cold weather in your area. This will help keep everything warm and the fluid in the system moving freely.

If you’ve experienced freezing weather and are concerned that your system might begin to freeze, spread out the use of large amounts of water in your home. Begin running the dishwasher and doing the laundry once a day to keep consistent water flowing through the system. Warm water will keep the inside of your system warm during the cold weather.

If you will leave your furnace on for the winter, it is best to drain all the water pipes. Double-check for leaks within the system, and if you find one, divert the water out of the septic pipes so it does not begin to freeze in the cold. You may want to install a thermostat to ensure the indoor temperature stays warm enough. You might also want to wrap the pipes in heat tape as a preventative measure.

Frozen System

You should call a professional if your system stops working and has frozen lines. However, if a professional cannot reach you in a timely fashion, there are a few things you can do to help get your system up and running again.

You will first need to locate your tank and remove the lid. The lid may be frozen in place, so you must pour hot water over the tank to get it to release. You will then need to insert a PEX hose into the inlet of the septic tank and face it toward the home. Use warm water and a high-pressure nozzle to begin melting the ice in the system. Once the ice has broken up or melted, start running warm water from the home to break up any further ice and ensure the system works correctly.

While this is a good way to get frozen sewer lines working again, you should still have a professional come out afterward to inspect your system. An experienced septic tank plumber can help you determine why the freezing occurred and ensure it does not happen again.

Preparation is Key

With a little bit of hard work at the beginning of the season, your home’s plumbing fixtures should work smoothly throughout the winter.

If the cold winter weather damaged your septic system, give us a call! For over 40 years, Justin Dorsey Plumbing has been Central Indiana’s trusted 24/7 plumber, helping Hoosier homeowners with their indoor and outdoor plumbing problems.

We specialize in helping homeowners keep their septic tanks up and running—even in less-than-ideal weather conditions.

Contact us today to schedule your same-day service!

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