Prepare Your Septic For Fall…Five Fall Facts

As fall approaches, you are probably preparing yourself for cooler weather, packing up your summer clothes and buying a few more sweaters. When preparing yourself for the cold, don’t forget about your septic system. Here are Five Fall Facts…

1. PUMP YOUR TANK – If its been a while since your last septic tank pumping, fall is a good time to pump your tank. During the winter, your tank can be difficult to locate in the snow. Additionally, the frozen ground will be difficult to dig into, preventing access to your tank. Because it is especially difficult to pump your tank during the winter, it’s best to schedule a pumping during the fall months. Book with Cat Cans prior to December and get FALL FIVE % OFF (mention this post to receive discount)
2. FIX ALL LEAKS – If your faucet or plumbing has leaks, fall is a good time to fix them. Dripping faucets can lead to frozen pipes when the water turns to ice. Therefore, it’s important to fix leaks before the weather is cold enough for pipe freezing. You should also inspect your tank lid to make sure there are no cracks or leaks. If water and cold can seep into the septic system through the ground, it can lead to freezing and an overworked system.
3. CONSERVE WATER – During the fall, you might have a lot of guests in your home. Halloween parties, Thanksgiving dinner, and pumpkin carving get-togethers will all bring together friends and family. These gatherings can be a lot of fun, but the can be a stress on your septic system, especially if your holiday celebrations involve overnight guests. For this reason, it’s important to practice water conservation in your home to reduce the stress on your septic system. Simple acts like staggering your showers and laundry can help your system remain healthy. When you conserve water in your home, you can avoid overworking your septic system and be sure that it will remain in proper working order.
4. GROW OUT YOUR GRASS – During the fall, you should let the grass surrounding your septic tank, drain field, and connecting pipes grow and extra six inches. The extra grass will provide your septic system with insulation from the winter’s cold. This insulation will reduce the chance of your system freezing during the cold winter months.
5. SPREAD MULCH – Another way to insulate your septic system during the winter is to spread mulch. Spread an 8-12″ thick layer over the whole septic system area. This option is a good choice to provide your system with additional insulation. Spreading mulch is best done in the fall before the weather is too cold. If the ground and/or your system is already frozen, the mulch will provide insulation and cause thawing to take longer.

Aricca Wallace (23)