Preparing Your Septic Tank for Winter

by | Sep 30, 2022 | Septic Services

The septic tank is one feature of your house that needs routine maintenance. Any problems or clogs could lead to extremely messy issues. That’s why regular septic tank maintenance is vital. It is ideal to fix it right away if you see any issues.  

However, it can be very hard to fix septic problems in the winter. This means you will have to ensure your septic tank is inspected and cleaned properly right before the cold months arrive. Also, doing so will ensure that your tank is in the ideal condition possible. This helps you to save money. 

Today, we’re going to share with you some tips on how to prepare your septic system for winter, aside from hiring a septic tank service Jacksonville FL. 

Grow Your Grass 

One way to prepare your septic tank for the cold months is to grow the grounds surrounding it. Having additional tall grass that’s around 6 inches from its normal height will insulate the connecting pipes, septic tank, and drain field during winter. This additional padding will reduce the possibilities of your system freezing over once the cold months arrive.  

Utilize Mulch 

To guarantee that it does not freeze over, insulating your septic system from the cold is vital. You can spread mulch on the ground to do this. You should place 8-12 inches of mulch over the whole septic system area in the weeks leading up to winter. You will insulate the cold if you do this when the system or ground is frozen already. This will take a long period to thaw.  

Seal Every Leak 

You will want to repair them as soon as you can if you’ve got leaking plumbing. Else, you will risk the pipes freezing if the water freezes. This will allow the water to expand and cause the pipes to burst. You’ve got to ensure you check the tank lid also for any leaks or cracks.  

Save Water 

The fall season sees a lot of celebrations and holidays. You will probably have visitors over for Thanksgiving, Halloween, or any occasion to celebrate fall. These visitors might stress your septic system. This is especially true if they’ll stay in your home for several nights. That’s why you should do your laundry once per week and take quick showers to keep your septic system in excellent working condition. These tips will help you save water. Thus, you can prevent overworking the septic system.  

Pump the Tank 

Fall is the ideal time to do it if you have not pumped the tank in a while. You will have a hard time finding the tank under the snow layers if you do this during the cold months. In addition to that, you will have a hard time digging into the frozen soil.  

Solve Problems Right Away 

You shouldn’t leave problems to fester if you see any indications of problems with your septic tank. Even if it happens in the middle of the night, you can call a plumber for their 24-hour services. While some issues might appear small, they can worsen if left ignored.  

How to Prepare Your Plumbing for the Winter Months?

by | Sep 29, 2022 | Plumbing Services

For every person living in the United States, colder weather is slowly setting in. This means it is now time for you to prepare your house for the freezing temperatures. This is particularly true when it comes to your plumbing.  

If you don’t take the necessary steps to prepare your plumbing, you might end up with a lot of severe plumbing issues later in the season. If that’s the case, hiring professional plumbers Jacksonville FL is your only option. 

Protect Against Severe Temperature Changes 

You might have to take a couple of additional steps to protect your plumbing when temperatures hit below freezing. This is particularly true if you live in an old house with poor insulation. Here are a couple of things you can do: 

  • You can open cabinets with pipes to allow airflow from warmer areas of your house around the pipes. 
  • Set your thermostat a couple of degrees higher than normal. 
  • Leave the water slightly on so water keeps on flowing. A drip is enough for this tip. 
  • Add insulation to pipes anywhere in your house.  

Seal Up Holes and Insulate Pipes in Colder Spots 

Think about adding insulation around the pipes if you’ve got them in an unfinished spot of your basement. This will help prevent the pipes from freezing during severe temperature drop. Cold weather can cause water in your pipes to freeze and expand, even if they are on the interior of your house. This can lead to damages. You can avoid this by adding a quick layer of insulation. Usually, you can purchase them at your nearest home improvement shop. You should take a couple of minutes to seal up cracks or add more insulation if you see any areas where your insulation is lacking in the attic, garage, or basement with pipes inside them. This will help prevent freezing air from getting inside.  

Even If You’re Away, Keep Temperatures Warm 

You’ve got to ensure you keep your thermostat set at a temperature warm enough to prevent pipes from freezing. It does not matter if you go on vacation, or leave during the night or day. In general, this means you’ve got to keep the temperature above 55 degrees. If you set it lower than that, pipes will freeze if areas of your house get colder. Also, you can try shutting off the main water and drain all the water from the pipes if you are trying to go on a vacation for a long period.  

Drain Faucets and Outdoor Plumbing 

It is vital to shut off and drain any water from the pipe right away if you’ve got a pipe or faucet located outside. This includes your sprinkler system. If you leave water in these faucets, hoses, or pipes, they can freeze. This can cause pipes to burst. It can result in flooding problems inside your house during the winter season. 

If you really want to prepare your home for the winter, make sure you hire a professional plumbing company to check your home.