3 Holiday Septic System Tips

Winter signals the arrival of celebrations with family and friends, as well as increasing snowfalls and plummeting temperatures. More frequent usage and weather changes can both have an impact on your home's septic system, so it's essential to take steps to prevent septic backups and potentially costly issues. Below are three tips to keep your septic system healthy and functional this holiday season.

A Guide to Holiday Septic System Maintenance

1. Aerate Snow Over the Tank & Drainfield

Don't plow the snow over your septic tank as snow cover can provide an added layer of insulation that prevents the system from freezing. You should aerate the snow over the tank and the drainfield. This lets in oxygen and encourages healthy airflow, and it breaks up any layers of ice that have accumulated under the snow and might be hindering heat absorption. Take a standard garden hoe and chop up the snow, flipping, and rotating small scoopfuls in various spots to make air pockets.

2. Educate Your Holiday Guests

If you're welcoming guests for the holidays, educate them on proper septic system usage. Only toilet paper should be flushed down the toilet, and keep a wastebasket in easy reach of the bathroom, so guests don't have to go far to dispose of other items. Stagger shower usage, so guests don't exhaust the septic tank. Load up the dishwasher and run it only once a day, preferably in the afternoon when showers and other water usage are less frequent.

3. Go Easy on the Kitchen Sink

When preparing a big holiday meal, be mindful of the kitchen sink. Never pour grease or other oils down the drain, and use a mesh catcher in the drain to prevent food from going in and clogging up the septic lines. Even if your sink drain is a garbage disposal, use it as sparingly as possible, and throw coffee grounds, eggshells, fruit and vegetable peels, and other potentially clogging items in the trash or compost pile instead.

If you encounter septic system issues this holiday season, contact All Clear Pumping & Sewer. Serving the Jefferson City, Columbia, and Lake Ozarks areas of Missouri, they offer comprehensive septic and sewer services. From tank pumping and water line repair to hydro-excavating and grease trap cleaning, they are your full-service pumping and sewer company. Call (573) 443-2660 or visit them online to schedule an appointment today.