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As the fall leaves turn colors and drop from the trees, homeowners are performing annual winterizing chores. There are a lot of tasks to accomplish, like clearing the freezer for hunting bounties and putting away the boat and dock. Don’t forget to maintain your septic tank too. Below, Steve’s Plumbing & Heating in Wisconsin shares three winterization tips they have learned over the years of providing septic maintenance as a local plumber.

Handle These 3 Septic Maintenance Tasks This Fall

1. Get Your System Inspected

Every year the county sends out letters telling residents to get their septic systems inspected. This inspection will allow the plumber to establish whether you need septic tank pumping. Tanks that are over a third full of solids should be pumped. Tanks that are less than a third full should remain as they are to maintain their natural bacterial state. Pumping a tank completely will remove those living, breathing organisms that break down waste and create warmth. Without these tiny bacteria, your septic may freeze and become unusable in the winter.

2. Add Mulch Insulation

PlumberMany people place mulch over flower beds to provide insulation for prized annual plants. Some plumbers recommend also trying this method to reduce the chances of your septic tank freezing. To start, use a mulching lawn mower to cut your grass and chop up leaf debris. Place that debris on top of the area of your yard where your septic tank is located. This organic matter will help keep the ground warmer, especially when combined with Midwestern snow, preventing your septic tank from freezing with some extra natural insulation. 

3. Schedule Holiday Help

If you live in a cold climate and plan to leave your home for several days during the winter, you’ll need a house sitter. The person doesn’t have to stay at your place, but they should come over every day to run the taps with warm water and flush the toilets to keep your pipes from freezing due to lack of use. Get someone on the books for this task now, so they can plan their own holiday fun around quick trips to your house.

 

Septic maintenance is often forgotten since you typically need an inspection once a year at the most. Don’t let this important task fall by the wayside. Mark it in your calendar to schedule an appointment with a plumber in early September, so you’re ready to winterize before the cold sets in. To set up an appointment with Steve’s Plumbing & Heating, call (715) 421-1800, or visit the website for information on their Wisconsin Rapids, Steven’s Point, Marshfield and Wausau locations. The company provides both general and emergency plumbing services so give them a call for your preventative and immediate needs.

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