In Northern New Jersey, winter is a serious affair. We prepare our homes and cars for the freezing temperatures, but one of the most critical systems—the septic system—is often forgotten until it’s too late.
A septic system failure in the middle of July is a disaster. A septic system failure in the middle of January, with two feet of snow on the ground and frozen earth, is a full-blown catastrophe. When the ground is frozen solid, it is exponentially more difficult and expensive for any of the septic tank companies near me to perform emergency repairs.
The ground in Sussex County and surrounding areas can freeze several feet deep. If your septic system isn’t properly prepared, you risk frozen pipes, septic backups, and catastrophic damage. The good news is that prevention is simple. Here is the essential checklist for preparing your NJ septic system for winter.
1. Get It Pumped Before the Ground Freezes
This is the single most important rule. If your system is due (or overdue) for its regular 3-5 year pumping, do not wait until winter. Schedule your septic pumping for the fall (September, October, or early November).
There are two major reasons for this:
· Access: Once the ground is frozen solid and covered in snow, it becomes incredibly difficult, and sometimes impossible, for a technician to locate and excavate your septic lids. What is a simple job in October becomes an all-day, expensive struggle in February.
· System Function: A full tank of solids is more likely to have issues. Pumping it out ensures the tank has maximum capacity and is flowing efficiently before the deep cold sets in.
2. Insulate, Insulate, Insulate
The best defense against a freeze-up is insulation. The natural blanket of snow is a good insulator, but you can’t rely on it.
· Mulch Your System: After the first light frost, but before the first heavy snow, apply a thick layer (8 to 12 inches) of mulch, straw, or even just raked leaves over your septic tank and the full area of your drain field. This “blanket” will trap geothermal heat from the earth and the tank, preventing deep frost from reaching your components.
· Insulate Pipes: If you have any pipes that are exposed or buried very shallow (common in older homes or raised systems), they must be insulated with foam pipe sleeves.
3. Stop All Leaks and Drips
A tiny “drip… drip… drip” from a leaky faucet or running toilet is a minor annoyance in the summer. In the winter, it can be a septic system killer.
Here’s why: A septic system relies on the normal, periodic flow of warm wastewater from your house to keep the pipes and tank from freezing.
A small, constant drip sends tiny amounts of water into the pipe between your house and the tank. This water moves too slowly to carry any heat and can freeze, slowly forming an ice blockage that will eventually cause a total backup. Fix all plumbing leaks before the first freeze.
4. Keep Heavy Traffic Off the System
This is a rule for all seasons, but it’s especially critical in winter. Never drive, plow, or park over your septic tank or drain field.
The ground in your yard will be softer than your driveway. A heavy plow truck, an oil delivery truck, or even your own SUV can easily get stuck. More importantly, the weight can:
· Crack your septic tank or its lid (a very expensive repair).
· Crush the pipes in your drain field.
· Compact the soil, which reduces its ability to treat wastewater.
Mark the area with stakes before the first snow so you (and any plow services) know exactly where not to drive.
5. Use Your System (Even if You’re Away)
The bacteria in your septic tank are “exothermic,” meaning they generate their own heat as they break down waste. This, combined with the warm water from your showers and laundry, is what keeps the system from freezing.
If you are a “snowbird” and leave your New Jersey home for the winter, you must prepare the system.
· Do NOT turn the heat off. Keep it at a reasonable temperature (at least 55-60°F) to prevent pipes in the home from freezing.
· Have a neighbor or house-sitter come by once a week to flush all toilets, run the hot water in sinks, and even run a small load of laundry. This will send a “warm flush” into the system and keep the bacteria active.
· If you must shut the house down completely, you should schedule a service with one of the professional septic tank companies near me to properly pump and winterize the system, which may involve insulating the components.
Winter is hard enough in New Jersey. By taking these few simple steps in the fall, you can ensure your septic system stays trouble-free right through the spring thaw.