The first frosts have hit, the winter tires are on and the heating is already running. But one thing often escapes the fall list: the septic tank. Buried and silent, she only calls us when a problem arises. However, dealing with an overflow in January, with a frozen ground, a lid buried under snow and the house full of guests, is nothing like a planned drain in November.
Why drain before frost
During the summer, the pit works hard: laundry, showers, visitors, sometimes a chalet occupied at full capacity. In the fall, the accumulated sludge can already occupy a large part of the tank. Draining at this time has three advantages. The ground is not yet frozen, which makes access to the cover easier. The pit returns with its full capacity to get through the cold months. And it will not be at its limit when the snow melts, when the land saturated with water drains more slowly.
The holidays are approaching: is your pit ready?
December rhymes with family meals, repeated laundry and guests who extend their stay. An already well-filled pit has difficulty coping with this sudden increase in water consumption. Better to check its condition before the house fills up.
Year-round residence or chalet closed for the winter
According to Regulation Q-2, r. 22, a pit used all year round must be emptied at least every two years, and every four years for a seasonal residence. If your chalet closes its doors for the winter, the end of the season is the ideal time to have the tank emptied: you leave with peace of mind and find an installation ready in the spring.
A few actions before the first snow
Mark the location of the cover with a visible stake, so that the technician can find it even under the snow. Avoid driving a vehicle or packing snow on the tank and leaching field, as compacted soil freezes more deeply. Finally, clear access for the truck, ideally before the first storm.
When winter still comes
Even with the best preparation, something unexpected can happen: frozen pipes, overflowing pit, backing up drain. At the house of EBI Envirotech, we empty pits of all types, standard, sealed, Bionest or Ecoflo, and we also offer the septic tank thawing for winter situations. This service makes all the difference when the frost sets in.
With more than 50 specialized units, we intervene on call, in emergencies or under maintenance contract. Our emergency service is offered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in Lanaudière and Mauricie, because an overflow never waits for good weather.
An oil change done in the fall is one less worry for the winter. To plan your intervention or obtain a quote, contact our team at 450 754-4033.