When a cold snap hits, don’t forget to keep an eye on your septic! Homeowners can install two types of septic systems to support their home’s plumbing system. At JT Septic Co., we install and service both conventional and aerobic septic systems.
An Aerobic Wastewater Treatment System, also known as an Aerobic Septic System – is a small-scale sewage treatment system similar to a septic tank. There is a key difference between the two types of systems. Aerobic systems use an aerobic process (adding air or oxygen) for digestion rather than the anaerobic (without air) process used in septic systems.
Adding air helps promote the growth of organisms that break down the solids. These solids are put through a clarifier and chlorinated for disinfection, producing a cleaner, more environmentally friendly discharge. This cleaner discharge eliminates the need for a drainage field (leach field), allowing the system to be installed on a small property where a standard septic tank system would not have been possible.
How Cold Weather Can Impact Your Aerobic Septic System
Septic irrigation sprinklers are sprinklers that are connected to a septic system, rather than a municipal water supply. These sprinklers are used to water lawns and gardens using wastewater from the septic system, rather than using fresh water. Septic irrigation sprinklers are typically used in areas where municipal water is not available or is too expensive, and they can help conserve water and reduce the amount of wastewater that needs to be treated by the septic system.
Cold weather can have several negative impacts on aerobic septic sprinkler systems. For example, when the water inside the sprinkler pipes freezes, it can cause the pipes to burst, leading to costly repairs. If the sprinkler heads freeze, it can cause the water supply to be shut off, leading to the septic tank not functioning properly. This can cause the tank to overflow or even fail, which can be a significant inconvenience and potentially cause damage to your property.
It is vital to protect your aerobic sprinkler system from cold weather. This may include insulating the pipes to prevent freezing, and maintaining the system regularly to ensure it is in good working order. Taking these precautions can help ensure that your aerobic sprinkler system continues to operate effectively, even in cold weather.
How To Know When Your Septic Irrigation Sprinkler Is Frozen:
If your septic irrigation sprinkler is frozen, it can cause many problems. Some signs that your sprinkler is frozen include:
- The water flow from the sprinkler is reduced or has stopped completely.
- Ice is forming on the outside of the sprinkler or on the pipes leading to the sprinkler.
If your sprinkler is frozen, it can make the pipes burst, which can be very expensive to fix. It can also cause the septic system to become overloaded and not work correctly, which can be a big problem for the environment and people’s health.
What To Do To Keep The Sprinklers From Freezing:
You can take a few actions to prevent your septic irrigation sprinkler heads from freezing in the winter. First, you can insulate the heads, adjust the system so that the heads are not spraying water directly onto surfaces that could cause the water to freeze, and use heating cables or wraps to keep the heads warm. You can also reduce the risk of freezing by using a drip irrigation system instead of traditional sprinkler heads and being careful not to run the system when the temperature is very cold.
If your sprinkler heads freeze, try using hot water or a hair dryer to thaw them out, but make sure to turn off the water supply first to avoid any damage. For help installing or maintaining an aerobic septic system, give our JT Septic team of licensed professionals a call today.
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