Septic Systems and the Holidays in Boise, ID

It’s that time of year where there’s magic in the air, Christmas cheer, and time to set resolutions before the end of the year. December brings with it fond memories, time with family and friends, and a lot of items on your to-do list with regards to planning and executing holiday activities, gift giving, holiday cards, and more. At ASAP Septic, we understand that the winter season can be hectic as it is, and we hope to make your life easier by providing the best tips and tricks to avoid any major septic issues during this holiday season. We know that one disaster too many can throw off your entire holiday schedule, and we hope to help you prevent any issues before they arise. 

One question our clients tend to ask us in the winter as the weather gets colder is whether a septic tank can freeze. And the answer is yes! Septic tanks can freeze, particularly on colder years where the frost line is deeper into the earth, putting pipes and tanks and all the underground hardware of a septic system at risk. In fact, there are a number of issues owners of residential and commercial septic tanks should be aware of as we approach midwinter:

 

  1. Frozen Pipes

Once that frost line gets low enough into the earth that it contacts pipes, and this can cause the water inside to freeze. You may begin to experience clogged drains, but rather than the usual fats, oils, and grease that can clog drains, they’re stopped up by ice! Typically, the first pipe to freeze is the pipe leading from your home to the septic tank, which increases the risk of damage to your home. Pipes that are indoors, pipes running through areas of the house that aren’t well insulated--like a laundry room, garage, or basement--can benefit from a little insulation boost, such as a sleeve-style insulator to help keep the pipes above freezing temperatures. For underground or outdoor pipes, preventing them from becoming dormant can be a lifesaver. In particularly cold years, consider allowing your faucets to drip water, as dormant pipes with no water flow can allow the water to freeze, which increases the risk of a pipe bursting. 


  1. Heading Home for the Holidays

If you’re headed out of town or will otherwise leave your home vacant for a length of time, be mindful of how the weather may be while you are away. The last thing you want to come home to is a flooded home, and pipes bursting from water freezing and expanding inside of them is a risk you don’t have to take. It can be a good idea to ask a friend or neighbor to come over every once in a while during your vacation to run some water through various taps, as this will allow water to flow and reduce the risk of freezing water. Additionally, if you’re coming up on being due for a cleaning, having your septic tank pumped can help prevent issues with freezing as well. 


  1. Frozen Ground and a Tank that Needs Pumping

Septic tanks should be pumped every 2-5 years, depending on the size of your tank, the number of people living in your home, and the amount of wastewater you produce. If you know that you’re coming up on needing your tank to be cleaned out, choosing to do so before the ground freezes is a great idea, as frozen ground makes it significantly more difficult to dig into the ground to access the tank. If you’re not sure of whether your tank needs to be pumped soon or not, a septic system inspection can help you determine when you need that service!


  1. Hosting the Holidays

On the flip side, if you are hosting the holiday festivities this year, the increase in guests and water usage can add up quickly with more people taking showers, dishes that need to washed, and laundry being done. If you have a lot of guests in your home this year, it can be a good idea to plan out your wastewater usage so as not to overwhelm your septic system. Running your washing machine and dishwasher while cousin Joe is taking a shower may not go over so well, and a little bit of thought can save you a lot of headache. 


Our team of sewer and septic experts at ASAP septic is passionate about serving our clients in Boise, Mountain Home, Middleton, Payette, and areas throughout southeast Idaho as the industry leader for all things sewer and septic. Whether you need a grease trap pumped out, hydrojetting or septic services, we are ready and eager to help. Fill out our online contact form or give us a call at (208) 991-7184 for more information today.

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