Getting Your Septic System Ready for Winter in Washington

Winter here isn't Midwest-cold, but the combination of freezing nights and months of rain is exactly the mix a septic system likes least. The two things we get called out for most in winter — frozen lines and a waterlogged drain field — are both largely preventable with a little fall prep.

Protect the lines from freezing

• Fix dripping faucets and running toilets before the cold — a slow trickle is more likely to freeze in the pipe than a full flush
• Leave a layer of grass or mulch over the tank and lines for insulation; don't scrape the yard bare going into winter
• If part of the system runs shallow or is exposed, ask us about insulating it before the first hard freeze
• Keep using the system normally when it's cold — regular warm water flow through the pipes actually helps prevent freezing

Manage a saturated drain field

A drain field relies on the surrounding soil being able to absorb effluent. During a wet Washington winter that soil is often already near capacity, which leaves the field far less room to work with. That's why some systems that are fine all summer start showing soggy spots or slow drains in the wettest months.

• Direct roof downspouts and surface runoff away from the drain field so you're not adding rainwater to an already-full soil
• Spread out heavy water use — don't run five loads of laundry in one day on top of a saturated field
• Get overdue pumping done before winter, so the tank has full capacity when the ground can't drain as fast

Do a fall check before the weather turns

The cheapest winter is the one where nothing goes wrong. A quick fall pump or inspection catches the small issues — a cracked lid, a struggling field, a tank that's fuller than you thought — while it's still easy to dig and easy to fix. Waiting until you have a backup in January means paying emergency rates in the worst possible conditions.

If you're not sure your system is ready for the wet season, call us for a fall check-up. We'd much rather catch it now than dig your tank out of frozen ground in a downpour.