What To Do If Your Septic Tank Freezes

What To Do If Your Septic Tank Freezes

Septic tanks are usually buried underground, but sometimes these structures can freeze in colder climates and cause damage to plumbing or sewage backups. How can you tell if your septic tank has frozen, and how to fix a frozen septic tank safely? If your septic system freezes, it has the potential to do severe damage to your plumbing and sewage system. If you suspect a frozen septic tank, contact Metro Septic Pumping immediately! A frozen septic system is caused by the buildup of ice in the liquid sludge that typically resides at the bottom of a standard septic tank. When this ice freezes, a layer of ice begins to form on the tank itself while simultaneously reducing space in the tank itself and potentially destroying internal tank components. A septic company is the only safe way to resolve a frozen septic situation.

Can a Septic Tank Freeze?

As the temperature drops, a septic tank can freeze. The ground around the tank will likely be below freezing; if there is no insulation around the tank, it can also freeze. If this happens, you may see signs of a frozen septic system, such as no drainage from your toilet, sewage ponding in your yard, or even sewage backup into your house.

How Can You Tell If Your Septic Tank Is Frozen?

Most septic systems are properly insulated and protected from the elements. However, your septic tank can freeze and burst. This is especially true if you live in an area that experiences below-freezing temperatures during the winter.

A septic tank can freeze because of many different factors. One of the most common causes of freezing is when the water line supplying your home freezes. If this happens, then the water cannot flow into your system, and it will eventually freeze solid.

Another possible cause of freezing is snow trapped against a wall or pipe in your home. This can prevent heat from escaping through these areas, which may lead to freezing temperatures inside your pipes or tanks if they are not adequately insulated.

When water freezes in your septic system, it expands and pushes against the walls of your tank, causing damage to them. This can cause cracks or holes in your septic tank, allowing sewage to leak into the ground around your home or into nearby wells or streams if they are close enough to your property line. In severe cases, this could cause contamination of groundwater supplies which could affect everyone living in that area which relies on well water rather than city water for drinking purposes.

What NOT To Do If the Septic Tank Freezes

When they hear the word "septic," the first thing most people think of is sewage, which is not what we're talking about here. A septic system is a way to dispose of human waste, while sewage treatment plants are where we get rid of all the garbage from our homes and businesses. So if you have a septic tank, don't pour hot water down any drains connected to it (like sinks or toilets) because it will worsen things!

The other thing many think about when they hear "septic" is their basement. That's because many older houses were built on top of them — even if they don't have basements, you may still have one in your yard if your house was built before 1950. But again, this has nothing to do with the kind of septic tank we're talking about here! So no space heaters either!

If your septic tank freezes, do not use chemicals to break up the ice in the tank or drain field lines. This will only lead to further damage and make it more difficult for professionals to repair your system.

Metro Septic Pumping

Like most homeowners, you probably need to find out if the septic tank can freeze. Although it's unusual for a septic tank to freeze, some issues can occur when this occurs. If the septic tank freezes, then sewage will have difficulty flowing from your home and into the underground septic tank in your front yard. When you have any concerns with a septic tank, don’t hesitate to call a professional septic company for any services you need, including septic tank pumping.