Winter will soon be here with all its pleasures and frustrations. The following information is provided to help you avoid one of those frustrations, the possibility of a sewer system freeze up. Our experience has shown that the causes of a frozen system (other than the weather) are directly related to individual system management and use. As such it becomes the property owner’s responsibility to bear the costs associated with a frozen system, whether the property is designated “active” or “passive”.
Common freeze-up causes and tips
Compacted Soils
Frost goes deeper in areas such as paths, pet kennels and driveways. The soil becomes compacted and loses insulating value. Relocate or avoid activities such as these, which compact soil.
Lack of Snow Cover
Snow is a good insulator. Try to keep more snow over your system by using snow fencing. Please be careful where you drive those stakes.
Compacted Snow
Walking or driving any type of equipment over the system will compact the snow and send the frost down deeper and reduce its insulating value. Please avoid unnecessary traffic (foot and vehicle) over our systems.
Lack of Plant Cover
Frost goes deeper in areas such as paths, pet kennels and driveways. The soil becomes compacted and loses insulating value. Relocate or avoid activities such as these, which compact soil.
Pipes Not Draining Properly
A common cause of freeze-ups are sewer pipes and pump lines that are not installed with the proper fall (elevation) or pipes that settle after installation. If this is suspected, insulate over the pipes with straw, leaves, etc. or look into the use of heat tapes.
Failing System
Keep an eye on your system. If a system is failing in the fall, it is a prime candidate to freeze. Check your drain field area occasionally. If you see any seeping or ponding, call the District office to help determine your problem.
Irregular/Low Use
When only one or two people are living in a home, normal usage may not be sufficient to keep the system from freezing. Increase your use of water, the warmer the better. Usually water conservation is advocated, but if freezing is a concern, increasing or spreading out your use can help the system. Consider changing your laundry schedule from once weekly to one warm/hot load per day, use your dishwasher, and take a nice hot bath. DO NOT, however, leave the water running all the time, as this will overload the system. As a general rule, laundry schedules should always be spread out to prevent overloading the system with two loads per day considered the maximum. Too many laundry loads within a short time will tend to move solids out of the tank and to the drain field, causing it to fail prematurely.
Cold Air Entering the System
Open and uncapped riser or inspection pipes and manhole covers allow cold air into the system and can cause the system to freeze. Make sure all risers, inspection pipes and manholes have covers on them. If any parts of your system are within two feet of the surface it is a good idea to place loose insulating material in that area. Please leave the area over the manhole accessible so that the tank can be pumped if necessary.
Leaking Plumbing Fixtures
When a fixture such as a toilet or faucet leaks, it sends a very small trickle of water to the system. This trickle can freeze within the pipe and eventually cause the pipe to freeze solid. Appliances such as high efficiency furnaces, air exchangers and humidifiers can also create this situation. Promptly fix any leaky plumbing fixtures in your home. If you have appliances that generate very low flows such as high efficiency furnaces, you can put a heat tape in the pipe leading from the house to the tank; however the tape may impede the flow of solids. A better solution is to divert furnace condensate outside or into a drain that doesn’t connect to your septic system. Alternately, you could install a small condensate pump that holds and discharges the drainage in larger amounts – the larger the better.
Other Factors to Consider
1. If your system is frozen already, it’s too late to insulate. In fact, insulating at this stage will only delay thawing in the spring.
2. Let the grass in your lawn get a little longer in the fall over the tank and soil treatment area. This will help hold snow and provide extra insulation.
3. If you are going to be away for an extended period of time, don’t forget about your septic system. Perhaps you could have someone use sufficient quantities of water in the home regularly. You could also have the tank or tanks pumped when you leave. However there are two items that could be of concern if you pump the tank. (1) If you are in a high water table area the tank must be designed for high water table conditions. It may float out of the ground from the high groundwater if left empty. (2) The frost may cause ground shifting, resulting in a cracked tank.
4. Mark your tank caps with some type of flag or lath to facilitate easy location with the snow cover. If you have had landscaping done check to make sure they are not buried.
What If I Have A Freeze-Up?
Please feel free to call the Districts' Office we offer technical information to help you through the problem.
Do NOT Pump sewage on the ground surface.
Do NOT add antifreeze, salt or septic system additive into the system.
Do NOT run water continually to try to thaw the system.
Do NOT start a fire over the system. It probably won't work and something else may catch fire.
If only the line to the tank is frozen a professional steamer may be able to thaw the line. If the drain field is frozen, the only feasible alternative is to have the septic tank pumped on a regular basis. If this becomes necessary, your household will have to drastically reduce water use or incur weekly or twice weekly pumping charges. Use a laundromat, take short showers, minimize flushing, etc.
Naturally you will want and need to determine what caused the freeze up for prevention in the future.
Having said all this, let’s all hope for a normal amount of snow and reasonable temperatures so that the winter is pleasant and our lakes get a bit more water.