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With fall in full swing and winter quickly approaching, you need to make sure your home is ready for the change of seasons. The freeze-thaw cycle and winter storms can wreak havoc on your home, outbuildings, and plumbing. Even in mild Southern climates, winter weather can cause problems for your septic system. Learn how to keep your septic system in good working condition throughout the season.

Prep Before Parties

If you plan to have family gatherings at your house for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Eve, you need to make sure your septic system can handle the additional workload. Call a professional to have the tank pumped if it has not been cleaned out in a while, and make sure to stock up on septic-safe toilet paper so that you don't have to resort to napkins, tissues, or anything else that isn't safe for a septic system.

You should also ensure that guests know you have a septic system and how to use it appropriately. Remind people to not flush anything down toilets except for toilet paper - hygiene products of any kind should be disposed of in the trash only. If someone helps with meal prep or cleanup, ensure that only water is rinsed down the sink - all food scraps should go into the trash.

Conveniently placed trash cans in bathrooms and kitchens will help guests remember to use them. If you are worried, you can put up signs to remind guests not to flush or rinse anything down the drains.

If guests will be staying for a few days, you should stagger shower or bath times in order to prevent flooding your septic system. Regular water usage is better for your system than a lot of water all at once.

Inside the house is not the only area you should be mindful of. If you expect to have many guests, make sure you have adequate parking space for them that does not encroach on the drainfield area. Cars should not be driven or parked on the drainfield because of the risk of damage to the pipes in this area. Clearly mark the drainfield so guests know not to park or drive there.

Watch the Weather

Heavy rainfall can cause problems for a septic system, and the American South is known for wet, rainy winters. Because of this, you need to learn how rain can affect your septic system so that you can avoid problems this season.

The main issue that rain causes with a septic system is oversaturation. Heavy rainfall saturates the soil in the drainfield, meaning that wastewater cannot filter through the pipes and into the soil like it normally would.

During periods of heavy rainfall, try to avoid using your home's plumbing too much. Save laundry day for later in the week, stagger bathing or shower times, and consider using paper plates if the rain is particularly bad. If you have guests in your home and a rainstorm picks up, be doubly careful due to the extra amount of water being used.

If you live in an area that sees freezing temperatures during the winter, make sure that your tank and pipes are protected. Let the grass grow a bit longer around the tank and drainfield, or lay down extra mulch for insulation. If you are going away for a few days, keep a few taps trickling in the house. Moving water is less likely to freeze inside the pipes and therefore less likely to cause severe damage.

If you need your septic system serviced before the winter season starts, contact Gotta Go Site Service Rentals. We offer septic tank inspections, pumping, and cleaning and can make sure your system is ready to handle whatever comes your way this winter.