Maintenance for a private onsite wastewater treatment system varies based on what type of system your property contains. It can be as simple as pumping your tank on a regular schedule or as complex as monthly maintenance on various components. Regular maintenance prevents premature failure of your system and is required by the Wisconsin DSPS and local county. Lynn’s Honeywagon recommends following the schedule set for your system.

My pipe to the drain field or my drain field is froze, can it be thawed?

Yes, most times it can be thawed. In most circumstances we do not recommend it. This is because the effluent flowing through the pipe from the septic tank moves at a very slow pace. When the ground around the pipe is frozen it causes an ice dam that stops the flow entirely allowing the pipe to fill completely and freeze. We can thaw the ice out of the pipe but not the ground around the pipe. Once we thaw the line, chances are that it will refreeze in a day or so.

Why did my sewer lines freeze?

The most common cause is lack of snow cover. This could be Mother Nature not providing us with enough snow before the sub-zero weather arrives. Plowing or driving vehicles, snowmobiles, or ATV’s over the system can also cause the system to freeze. Even a deer trail crossing one of the lines can cause that line to freeze!

• Any one or more of the following items combined with the above can cause your septic system to freeze.

• A high efficiency furnace generates a small stream of water when it is running. 

• A faucet in the house has a slow drip.

• The toilet has a slow leak. (This is the hardest one to catch)

• Your septic has manholes above grade.

For most systems there may be one or more of the above conditions present and it does not freeze. It is when there is a disruption in usage that it will freeze. If it is a cabin and you leave for the week or leaving for a vacation. When you are present, each time you flush, do the dishes, shower, or wash clothes it melts any ice that may have formed keeping it working.

Is there something I can do to prevent it from freezing?

If you have a high efficiency furnace, make sure it has a condensate pump. 

Make sure that there are not any leaky faucets in the house.

If you think it could be the toilet, put some food coloring in the tank and without using it for a few hours see if the colored water is in the bowl. If so, replace the valve inside the tank.

If your system has manholes above grade you can cover them with straw, hay or leaves to insulate them. This can also be done on top of the sewer lines.

Septic system additives

There are many companies out there who claim to have an additive that will “rejuvenate your system” or “make pumping your tank unnecessary.” Beware of these claims, as some may be bogus. With the use of strong cleaning agents or medicines, you may need to restore the bacteria in your system. Most quality additives will help take care of toilet paper buildup, even with normal usage. Please do not put any additives in your system without asking your pumper first.