The septic tank froze: what to do and how to avoid it. To prevent the septic tank from freezing in winter Will the septic tank not freeze in winter?

Attention! This is an informational article. If you often have problems with septic tanks in winter, we can recommend one that does not need “preservation” in cold times. Also models autonomous sewerage from the Septic Service company are protected from freezing! This is also achieved through proper installation of the company’s products by professional workers.

In the majority country houses To treat waste liquids, septic tanks are used, which are characterized by high performance and durability. They come in different modifications and in almost all cases are more appropriate than drains or cesspools. Such devices last a very long time and almost never fail.

If the septic structure is properly insulated, then it is not in danger of freezing in winter. This is also facilitated by the processes that occur inside the structure. Thanks to organic bacteria, certain chemical substances accompanied by the release of heat. This heat is quite enough to prevent the septic tank from freezing in winter. In addition, if there is a constant sewer drain, then the liquid does not have time to freeze in principle.

To prevent the septic tank structure from freezing in the winter, it must be properly insulated at the installation stage. This especially applies to the outer part of the device. For insulation, materials such as mineral wool, polystyrene foam, different kinds thermal insulators. Such materials and the heat generated during the breakdown of substances are usually sufficient to ensure reliable operation of the septic system.

In addition, it is worth considering the depth of soil freezing. When designing communication systems, as well as the foundation of a building, the average depth of soil freezing in the area where construction is taking place is taken into account. In many areas this figure ranges from 1.2 to 1.5 meters. This means that if you place the septic tank and pipeline deeper than 1.5 meters, then it will be possible to refrain from using insulating agents. If your septic tank freezes in winter, then it may be worth deepening its location underground.

Some owners of country houses use heating systems using power cables. These cables are laid around septic tanks and heat the contents. If a person does not plan to live in a country house in winter, then you can clean the septic tank two-thirds and put it inside plastic bottles with sand. When the septic tank thaws in the spring, such devices will reduce the load on the walls of the tank.

If the septic tank is already frozen, then you can use the following methods to defrost it:

• — Watering the sewer and septic tank hot water. Hot water will defrost the ice if it has not yet become very thick.
• - You can make a special reagent at home from salt and baking soda. It is necessary to make such a solution highly concentrated so that the sewer system can be cleaned from the inside. This is the most effective and cheapest method of defrosting a septic tank.
• — Application of heating cables. This requires special devices and heating cables. These cables are wrapped around the perimeter of the septic tank and heated until the ice completely melts. However, this is a rather expensive method, the use of which also requires certain professional skills.

To avoid problems with the operation of the septic tank, it is necessary to use insulating agents at the design stage and then during installation, as well as maintain the correct installation depth. If it is not possible to fulfill installation work yourself, it is best to contact a specialized company.

People who are little familiar with the operation of treatment facilities often have questions about how the septic tank will work in the winter. Let's consider the principles of operation of such structures and the features of their operation in severe frosts.

Septic tanks - engineering structures, used for the treatment of domestic wastewater and used in the absence of a centralized sewer network in private housing construction. The principle of their operation is to settle waste under its own weight and purify it using biofermentation using preparations containing biologically active bacteria. Additional cleaning is carried out using natural soil and forced methods. C in English the word is translated as “putrid”, “purulent”, which well reflects its essence.

The septic tank can be operated in winter in the same way as in summer time with the same efficiency of wastewater treatment.

Advantages of structural design at subzero temperatures

The advantages of installation in winter are as follows:

• low level location groundwater, which guarantees the absence of water in the developed pit. This is especially important in areas with increased levels underground sources and if available near open water bodies;
• gardening and gardening activities are not carried out, which causes the absence of people at the dacha and will not cause additional inconvenience to the owners during the installation period;
• During the winter period, there is a significant decline in orders for the installation of autonomous sewage systems, which allows you to get discounts and allow specialists to carry out installation without haste and with maximum productivity. This completely compensates for the difficulties of soil development, although in warm weather it is much easier;
• For professionals, the work will not cause any particular difficulties, the only exception is negative temperatures below 15 degrees, at which it is difficult to solder polypropylene.

How to insulate a septic tank for the winter

The station must be located below the seasonal frost depths in your climatic region, this data can be found in the tables building codes and rules, special technical literature or find out from the construction department of the local administration. Typically, storage tanks, according to the rules specified in the attached instructions, are dug in at depths of ≥ 2 m; soils at such depths can freeze only in the northern regions of Russia. In addition, when waste decomposes, a certain amount of heat is also released. But it is still recommended to insulate the septic tank for the winter; the thermal insulation on the walls will serve as a protective barrier to absorb soil pressure that expands when freezing.

The walls are insulated to the ground surface using special heat insulators. The use of expanded clay and polystyrene is unacceptable. Both materials are hygroscopic, and after absorbing moisture their thermal conductivity increases sharply. Expanded clay saturated with water, in addition, begins to collapse over time.

On the surface of contact with the soil, insulation is carried out only with extruded polystyrene foam or special industrial foams applied using a special technological equipment. The same materials are used to insulate the pipe risers included in the tanks. Although the hatches of almost all factory-made stations are already insulated, it is recommended to cover the space at the installation site with an insulating cover during severe frosts.

The main danger is the sewer pipe coming from the building. Therefore, drainage through the foundation must be provided at a depth of ≥ 70 cm and a heat-insulating casing must be placed on it. The pipes coming from the house and discharging purified water from the station must be insulated. Along the entire length of the pipe line there should be no straight sections, without the required slope, in which the liquid can freeze and form ice plugs.

Freezing of the septic tank is practically impossible in factory models with additional insulation; mainly, sewer pipes are susceptible to this.

Main reasons:

• the sewer line is laid at an insufficient depth, above the seasonal freezing of the soil and the pipes are not insufficiently insulated;
• lack of correct slope of pipelines;
• if in the basement building, located between the ground and the floor of the 1st floor, a section of the sewer pipe is poorly insulated;
• the sewerage system is clogged with fat deposits that do not allow free passage of liquid;
• lack of tributaries hot water, caused by a malfunction of the plumbing fixtures in the house, only cold water enters the system.

Operating a septic tank in winter with constant drainage room temperature and in the absence of the reasons stated above, it will not allow the drains to freeze. Trouble-free wintering will be ensured by thermal insulation sewer pipes in one of the following ways:

• wrapping mineral wool followed by protection with roofing felt and fastening with thin knitting wire;
• construction of a box from foam sheets, effective even in heaving soils;
• gluing special foam shells;
• application of foamed polyurethane. Polyurethane two-component foam is expensive, but one of the most effective insulation materials, providing minimal moisture absorption and vapor permeability, and high thermal insulation properties. Excellent adhesion allows application to any materials without additional fasteners;
• laying a special electric heating cable covered with a layer of heat and waterproofing materials.

After thermal insulation work is carried out, the foundation pit, with the station placed in it, and the pipelines are backfilled with soil.

Full operation of the septic tank in winter will be guaranteed if proper insulation using high-quality thermal insulators. The liquid in the chambers will not drop below the temperature of plus 3 degrees and will not freeze in the pipeline even in severe frosts. With a constant flow of wastewater from the sewer, its minimum temperature is ≥ 10 degrees, this provides additional heating with the creation of normal conditions for bacterial activity and high-quality cleaning Wastewater.

How to preserve a septic tank for the winter

If you do not live in dachas or country houses in winter for more than one month, it is necessary to preserve the autonomous sewage system. Events are held before the onset of cold weather. A common mistake is completely draining liquids from the chambers. An empty station can become deformed or simply be pushed to the surface when the soil freezes or rises in groundwater or flood waters.

When purchasing factory-made cleaning units, follow the attached instructions, which describe in detail how to preserve the station. IN general case conservation includes the following operations:

• removal of waste sludge; to simplify the process, special types of bacteria are introduced into the chambers 2 weeks before the start of cleaning;
• lowering the liquid level in the chambers to 2/3 of their volume with pumping out sludge or, if necessary, topping up to the specified value;
• power cut
• dismantling the compressor and pump
• To avoid damage to the walls of the container, given the theoretical possibility of ice crusts forming on the surface of the drain during unusually severe frosts, unique floats are placed in the chambers. These are 2 liter plastic bottles with sand and long ropes tied to the necks. Sand is poured in quantities that ensure that the bottles are immersed in the liquid by about two-thirds, and their upper part should be above the surface of the water. The sand holds the bottle upright. The plastic compresses under ice pressure, thereby reducing the pressure on the walls. After lowering the floats into the chambers, the ropes are secured in such a way that in the spring the bottles can be easily pulled out;
• close the structure with a lid;
• additional insulation of the structure using any heat insulators;
• in the northern regions, it is recommended to preserve the septic tank with additional insulation from the outside using any thermal insulation materials. You can lay a layer of fallen leaves, sawdust, moss, pine needles, dry grass or straw. From above everything is covered with thick plastic film with pressing it down with the ground. For normal functioning aerobic bacteria air flow is needed, so holes must be left in the insulating layer and film.

IN makeshift structures There are no complex control and monitoring devices for the work process, so conservation is carried out more simply, following a similar procedure. The listed measures make it possible to maintain the temperature in the treatment structure ≥ 4 degrees.

How to start a septic tank after winter

In the spring, the treatment plant must be re-opened, for which almost all conservation work is carried out, but in the reverse order. Composition of actions:

• removal of temporary layers of thermal insulation;
• delivery of float bottles
• installation of technological equipment (pump, compressor, etc.);
• power connection
• turn on the station with operation without heavy loads for several hours;
• After a few days of normal operation, the entire system will function normally; if necessary, new bacteria can be introduced into the tank.

Problems encountered

1. After winter the septic tank is full of water. In this case, it is necessary to conduct an examination with the participation of specialists. Basic possible reasons:
   • on the site of the autonomous sewerage system being built, it is noted high level the occurrence of underground sources (above the location of the bottom of the treatment tanks) or there is a natural reservoir nearby. Discharge of water in such cases is not recommended. The filled container must be pumped out in a timely manner using sewage disposal machines;
   • source of income surface water, for example, heavy and prolonged rains, and the soils, most often sands, are highly permeable to moisture;
   • not tight treatment plant as a result of mistakes made during installation.
2. The water from the septic tank does not meet sanitary standards due to improper design or installation of an autonomous sewage system. Correction of deficiencies is possible only with the involvement of specialized organizations and subsequent analyzes. According to current laws, if harm is caused to the health of people or their property, the owner of the station is subject to a fine with the requirement to immediately eliminate the violations, and victims can demand compensation for the damage incurred within 20 years.
3. Freezing of the treatment system. The container itself, as a rule, almost never freezes. If this does happen, then only a specialist can identify the reasons and put the station into operation. You can defrost sewer pipes in the following main ways:
   • pouring plain or salty hot water;
   • manual mechanical cleaning with a steel cable;
   • electromechanical method using special machines;
   • supplying hot water under high pressure using special equipment (not applicable for plastic pipes);
   • the use of a steam generator, with the hose moving along the pipe as the ice plugs melt. Applicable for all types of pipes, including plastic.
   • heat metal pipes by skipping them electric current;
   • the use of special preparations that defrost frozen wastewater due to the release of heat during chemical reaction compounds with liquids, for example Mellerud in the form of gel or granules.

Where to drain water from a septic tank in winter

In the absence of a centralized sewerage system, it is necessary to consider possible options draining wastewater after treatment.

The choice of discharge of treated wastewater depends on the following conditions:

• existing terrain and dimensions suburban area;
• depths of underground aquifers;
• soil absorption capacity;
• possible distance of drainage from residential buildings;
• Will water be discharged during the cold season?

Options:

1. A drainage or filter well with an unsealed bottom and filled with filter layers of crushed stone, gravel or coarse sand. After post-treatment, the water simply goes into the soil. It is used in cases where groundwater is close to the ground.
2. A filtration or scattering field consisting of a series of trenches filled with filter layers. Used for surface water.
3. Filter cassettes, which are unique filters in pits 50 cm deep. They are located on an area ≤ 20 m² in soils with low permeability (clayey and loamy soils).
4. Storage tanks.
5. Discharge into drainage ditches or storm system sewerage.

In frosty weather, additional measures are provided to protect drains from freezing by providing waterproofing, additional insulation and deeper installation of systems.

With proper installation of autonomous sewer systems, using a septic tank in winter will not create problems and is practically no different from summer operation.

The work of the sewerage system is invisible as long as everything goes as expected. Design and installation sewer system is accompanied by taking into account many factors, including work in conditions low temperatures. However, a situation cannot be ruled out when the sewer freezes in the ground (a certain section of the pipe freezes). IN normal conditions This should not happen, but installation errors may appear in winter.

By the way, when trying to understand at what temperature the sewage system freezes, you should take into account not only the location of the pipes, but also the material from which they are made (the thermal conductivity of plastic and cast iron is very different), the diameter of the pipe, the slope angle, i.e. the action of many factors in combination.

Why does the sewer freeze?

Reasons for freezing sewer pipes:

• incorrect design of the angle of inclination of the sewer pipeline. Water is not able to move by gravity and stagnates in the pipes, which leads to freezing in the winter;

• insufficient burial depth. According to SNiP, the septic tank is installed at a depth of at least 2 meters from the soil level, the pipe system is located below the freezing point characteristic of the region. But a situation is possible when you are simply too lazy to dig a trench for laying pipes deep (or there is no possibility) or frosts exceed the average and the soil freezes deeper;

• lack of insulation. Sewage pipes laid above the freezing point of the soil require insulation. The place where pipes exit the room must also be insulated. However, in practice, such a requirement is either ignored, or an unsuitable thermal insulation material is used, or its installation is carried out incorrectly;

• small pipe diameter. If we consider consumer reviews, then most often those who have laid pipes with a diameter less than the recommended 110 mm are faced with the problem of sewerage freezing. Owners of summer cottages and houses that are used seasonally are especially often guilty of this. Due to insufficient diameter, the sewer pipe freezes faster;

• blockages. They happen due to large objects getting into the system or insufficient water flow, which causes plaque to form in the pipes.

Causes of septic tank freezing:

• The drainage from the septic tank is broken. In this case, the septic tank overflows, heavy fractions settle, and the water freezes;

• the septic tank is removed from the source of wastewater. Then the water, moving to the waste pit, cools, which leads to its freezing at the junction of the pipe and the septic tank.

Many users who do the work themselves do not even think about whether the sewer system is freezing. After all, the very principle of operation of a septic tank is that it is a container for storing wastewater with actively occurring decomposition processes. Since heat is released during the decomposition of solid residues, freezing is practically excluded. In addition, according to standards, the septic tank is installed at a considerable depth.

However, no one is insured against force majeure and the owner country house It’s better to know in advance what to do if the sewer is frozen.

How and how to defrost a sewer in a private house

Exists different ways and means on how to warm up a frozen sewer (how to melt the ice in a pipe). All methods can be combined into two large groups:

• thermal method. Provides for the organization of heat supply to the freezing point. The work is progressing slowly, but there is no risk of causing damage to the pipeline system. This method is most suitable at home, when special means are not at hand, and calling specialists is impossible or too expensive;

• chemical method . Currently, chemical defrosting is rarely practiced. Firstly, because not every chemical can cope with icing. Secondly, because this is a costly method. And thirdly, because many users prefer local sewers, i.e. systems that are capable of performing partial wastewater treatment.

One of the components of local systems is the presence of biological treatment, and chemistry can negatively affect the life of bacteria. However, its simplest variety, a steep saline solution, is still used, according to reviews.

A more technologically advanced option is to use a drug like Mellerud. The components of Mellerud pipe cleaner react with water to produce heat.

Note. Chemical defrosting should be used carefully. plastic pipes sewerage. Because Severe overheating can cause them to deform.

Defrosting the sewer - the procedure for performing the work

If a problem arises and the sewer system in a private house is frozen, you must first determine the location of the ice jam. Craftsmen note the importance of following the order of work, and it is better to start from the place where the water exits the septic tank. This order of work is due to the fact that the sewer pipe system is designed with the obligatory condition of ensuring unhindered flow of water. This means that all pipes, incl. The drain pipe is located at a slope to the exit point.

Ice plugs must be melted so that the water can drain naturally. Otherwise (when performing work outside), you need to be prepared for the waste to flow into reverse side, which will necessitate pumping them out. This convincingly proves that work should begin in the direction from the septic tank to the internal pipes.

But there are exceptions to this rule. Ultimately, the order of work will be determined by factors such as:

• the location where the ice plug forms. If the water is frozen in the inside of the sewer (unheated house), then it will be much easier to defrost;

• cork sizes. Perhaps the size of the ice plug will be only a few centimeters, then the volume of water that needs to be pumped out can be neglected;

• geometry of the sewer system. The more straight sections in the system, the easier it is to remove the ice plug;

• laying method. Typically, sewerage is located underground. And if ice has formed in pipes located at a sufficient depth under a layer of frozen earth, the number of options for use is sharply reduced. You can’t get through the septic tank - you have to carry out work from inside the house.

The easiest way to organize the winter functioning of the sewer system is to contact specialists who provide sewer defrosting services. The craftsmen not only know how to defrost a frozen sewer, but also have special equipment and also provide a guarantee on their work. However, for various reasons, many people prefer to solve the problem on their own. And as the reviews from forum members testify, it was quite successful and fast.

What to do if the sewage system in a private house is frozen

Heating methods will differ depending on where the ice jam occurs. Let's look at each problem and solutions.

Frozen sewer drain

The sewer drain or drainage from the septic tank rarely freezes, because... it is located deep in the ground. However, if the water is not drained, it will cause the septic tank to overflow and freeze.

What to do if the sewer drain is frozen?

To defrost the drain, experts advise filling the septic tank with hot water or saline solution. Then you should pump out the wastewater from the septic tank and repeat the filling of water. With time warm water will eliminate the ice jam and the system will function normally.

A sewer drain is also a pipe that removes wastewater from the source of its formation: in the sink, toilet, or bathtub. It can freeze if the room is not heated and the water from the drain has not been drained. Or, the water flow is too weak. Typically, indoor drains freeze where they meet the source of drainage and can be easily removed by using a hair dryer. In the same way, the problem is solved if the sewer riser in a private house freezes.

Septic tank frozen

This is possible if the drainage is not organized correctly.

What to do if the septic tank freezes?

To fix the problem, you can take the following measures:

• heating with a light bulb. The light bulb on the carrier is placed inside the septic tank. Due to the power of the lamp, heating occurs environment, and the ice gradually thaws. The method is very slow, and you also need to monitor the water level and lower the lamp lower. From practice: 1 m of ice melts in a day, at an outside temperature of -15 degrees;

• pouring hot water and then pumping it out;

• pouring quicklime into the septic tank. Users note the effectiveness of the method in cesspool, but this method is unlikely to be suitable for a septic tank.

Frozen sewer pipes

The most difficult possible situation, since there are two obstacles: firstly, the pipes are located underground, which makes the use of external heating problematic, and secondly, it is difficult to accurately determine the specific place where the pipe froze.

How to detect places where ice jams form?

You can determine the location of freezing using two pieces of wire. To do this, one of them needs to be introduced into the sewer system from the side of the house, and the second from the septic tank. Knowing the length of the sewer and the sum of the distances over which the wire was moved, you can not only find (identify) the place where the ice plug formed in the pipe, but also its dimensions.

What to do if a sewer pipe freezes?

Methods for removing ice jams by heating.

External heating

Involves the extraction of soil to the level of pipe laying. Once you have direct access to the pipes, you can:

• use open fire: burner, blowtorch. You can wrap the pipe with rags or cover it with firewood and set it on fire. The method is only suitable for metal, cast iron pipes sewerage;
• wrap with foil, then with a heating cable and connect to the network;
• use heating tape;
• use a heat gun for plastic pipes.

Recommendation. Users advise covering the heating area with insulation, so defrosting will happen faster. At the same time, passive heating itself is not suitable in case of frozen sewer pipes, because Thermal insulation material does not heat, but only conserves heat.

External heating is not very popular due to the difficulty of removing frozen soil above the piping system. This begs the question, how to warm up a frozen sewer that is impossible to access? The answer is obvious - only from the inside.

Internal heating

The technology involves influencing ice from the inside, i.e. directly inside the sewer pipe. Options include:

• heating the wall if the sewer pipe is frozen indoors;

• use hot water.

In order to clean a straight pipeline, you need to insert a rigid hose into the sewer and connect it to a funnel into which you pour water. As the ice melts, the hose can be advanced further. You can increase the effectiveness of the procedure by using water with salt. The ratio varies from 1:10 to 1:1 (salt: water).

To defrost a sewer pipeline of complex configuration, the same steps are performed, but a flexible hose is used. The hose is wound to a flexible wire in increments of 500 mm, so that the edge of the wire protrudes 20-30 mm above the edge of the hose. The end of the wire is bent inward for rigidity. The free edge of the wire should be 10-15 mm; its task is to avoid obstacles and guide the hose. As the water melts, the hose is pushed further. Instead of a funnel, you can use a pear.

When choosing this method, you need to consider that:

a) the water temperature must be more than 80 °C;

b) water supply is continuous;

c) excess water will come back out, so you need to install a container under the pipe to collect it.

The productivity of the method is 1 m per hour, with a pipe diameter of 110 mm.

• usage welding machine, connected on both sides to the pipe. Suitable for metal pipes;

• using any intoxicating liquid, such as alcohol. From practice, volume 1 m.p. pipes with a diameter of 110 mm is 8 l. This method is expensive;

• use of a steam generator.

What to do to prevent the sewer from freezing in winter?

To prevent re-freezing, it is necessary to periodically drain (especially during severe frosts) significant volumes of hot water into the pipeline.

The solution to the problem of water freezing in the sewer should not be limited to bringing the system into full functional readiness. After all, the possibility of re-freezing is not excluded.

Measures to prevent sewer freezing include:

• correct . This procedure must be carried out at the stage of laying the pipeline;
• laying pipes to a depth below the freezing point of the soil;
• connecting a heating cable (resistive or self-regulating).

Occurred with technology violations. What is a septic tank? In fact, this is a container for collecting household waste. Wastewater that has undergone accelerated decomposition under the influence of microorganisms is clarified and enters the filtration fields.

The body of septic tanks is most often made of plastic, sometimes metal or concrete. The usual depth of a wastewater collection tank is two meters underground. Its exact location depth is determined by climatic data characteristic of the area where the wastewater source is located. The soil at a depth of two meters does not freeze, even if the frosts are particularly severe - its temperature does not drop below +5 o C.

Since wastewater treatment processes involve microorganisms, the latter generate heat. Those. The septic tank independently generates a certain amount of thermal energy and heats itself. But what if compliance with the installation conditions turns out to be insufficient to isolate the septic tank from freezing?

How to properly insulate a septic tank

The decision to cover the wastewater container with thermal insulation will completely avoid freezing of the septic tank and the wastewater supply routes to it. Insulation is especially necessary if there is a possibility of “deep” freezing of the soil - in this case, the age of the sewer system does not matter; insulation must be done anyway.

Thermal insulation of objects placed in the ground is carried out with two materials - extruded polystyrene foam or industrial foams, laid by specialists and using special equipment. Thermal insulating material is placed on the surface of the upper part of the septic tank and blocks heat transfer to the upper layers of soil, which are the most frozen in winter. To prevent frostbite in the pipes supplying waste to the septic tank, they should also be covered (wrapped) with insulation.

Attempts to insulate a septic tank with expanded clay and polystyrene foam are completely useless. Polystyrene foam, due to its hygroscopicity, will quickly absorb moisture, after which it will become an excellent heat conductor. In addition to the hygroscopicity inherent in expanded clay, it is also destroyed by exposure to physical activity(mass of soil) and under the influence of moisture. Those. Polystyrene foam and expanded clay are not suitable for insulating a septic tank at all!

Preservation of a septic tank for the winter

Placing septic tanks in country cottages, visited by their owners only in the summer months, is popular in Russia. However, a sewer system of this kind must be prepared for frost, and this work should be done in advance, before the autumn cold. Preservation of the septic tank will protect its systems from damage caused by frost.

According to a popular misconception, the scope of sewer conservation work must necessarily include the removal of water from the system, and completely. But this measure, which is apparently logically fair - there will be no water, and there will be no expansion when it freezes - will cause the septic tank tank to “float up”. It will be raised from the pit melt water like a float.

Now let's discuss correct order conservation of the sewer system. First of all, its power is turned off, then the compressor with the pump is disconnected, dismantled and stored. Now you need to reduce the level of wastewater in the septic tank chamber to 2/3 of the volume.

You will need several two-liter pet bottles, partially filled with sand. One or two bottles should be lowered into each container of the septic tank, tying a strong string to their neck - part of the bottle should be under water, part above it. Bottles with sand will serve as floats that prevent the formation of an ice crust in the septic tank, which can break its walls - they will take the load from the pressure of the ice plastic containers. When completing conservation, it is necessary to close the lid of the septic tank and cover it thermal insulation materials(any). This kind of preservation will ensure the temperature inside the septic tank is at least +4 o C, regardless of the severity of winter frosts.

How to defrost a frozen septic tank

The measures taken to insulate the sewer system are simple and effective, but under some circumstances they do not have the intended effect. Let’s say that conservation was carried out late or was not carried out at all and the septic tank froze. Homeowners upon returning to Vacation home encounter an unpleasant circumstance - the water (bathroom, kitchen, toilet) does not go down the drain.

Let's start with simple ways defrosting the septic tank. We boil water and pour it into the sink in the kitchen or bathroom - this will “melt” the ice plug in the pipe. In a situation where the option with hot water (boiling water) does not work, special compositions from hardware store. You can use saline solution - salt corrodes ice well.

In rare cases, a situation arises when the septic tank freezes especially strongly, and this problem becomes frequent in the winter. Simple means of combating icing will not help here - you need to install a special heating cable in the septic tank chamber. It will maintain a certain temperature, preventing wastewater from freezing, i.e. There will be no problems with frozen sewers.

Defrosting sewer system pipes

It happens that the septic tank does not freeze, but the wastewater in the sewer pipes freezes out and with each new drain the water flows back into the house. Reasons for this situation:

• pipes in the ground are laid at the level of its freezing, and not lower, as necessary;
• there is no basement in the cottage, the pipes go to the septic tank through the underground (in the space between the ground and the flooring), and their thermal insulation is of poor quality;
• plumbing fittings (valves on water taps) are worn out or faulty, constantly flowing into the system in a thin stream cold water, which forms ice on the pipe walls in cold weather. In this case, hot water enters the drainage system in a weak volume, insufficient to melt the ice;
• fatty deposits on the walls of the pipes have significantly narrowed their internal diameter, which prevents the passage of water to the septic tank.

Please note that proper and year-round operation of the sewer system is ensured only through its timely cleaning. Ignoring this need will inevitably cause clogged and freezing drain pipes. The worst case scenario would be complete failure. external sewerage, which will require expensive septic tank repairs and replacement of drain pipes. Maintaining the sewer system of a country house will cost much less than restoring it after a breakdown.

The problem of a frozen pipe is best eliminated from the inside by acting on the ice plug through the internal channel of the pipeline. There are four known methods of internal cleaning of frozen drain pipes - hydrodynamic, chemical, mechanical and steam generation. The design of the equipment used to remove ice plugs in a pipe does not differ from the design of devices used during preventive flushing of sewers. Almost all modern machines that clean sewer pipes are designed to operate at low temperatures.

Mechanical devices manually driven - the oldest tool for cleaning sewer pipes. Plumbing tape, also called flat plumbing cable, made of metal and equipped with a handle that the worker rotates as the tool is inserted into the pipe. The maximum diameter of pipes that can be cleaned with a plumbing cable is 200 mm.

Electromechanical sewer cleaning is ensured thanks to a spiral with a special nozzle inserted into the pipe. An electric motor powered from the central power supply gives the spiral rotation, and the gearbox moves it deeper into the pipe channel.

Hydrodynamic machines for cleaning sewer pipes, they can eliminate deposits of fat, silt, sand, etc. The unit consists of a frame with a wheelbase, there are handles on the sides for moving the device, and a pump is installed on the frame high pressure(electric or diesel). It forces fluid through a hose to a cleaning nozzle inserted into the pipe. Water is pumped under pressure into the drain pipe; its flow literally removes deposits from the walls of the pipe.

To remove the ice plug in the drain channel, hot water is pumped into the pipe using a hydrodynamic apparatus. The water is heated by the installation itself - it is equipped with a boiler, most often using diesel fuel.

For clearing ice from drains you can use a steam generator- its construction model. The hose is inserted into drain pipe, the installation is activated and the ice gradually melts. As the melting process progresses, the hose should be immersed further and further. This option for overcoming ice jams is especially suitable for plastic communications, because... less harmful than other means to the walls of polyvinyl chloride pipes. You can use a steam generating unit to clean iced-up plastic and metal drain pipes.

Chemical cleaning method performed by injecting a liquid chemical household use(bought at a hardware store) at the mouth of a sink (bathtub, toilet), is weakly effective, but if there is slight icing it will work. Before using chemicals, you should carefully study their instructions, paying attention to the section with acceptable types of sewer pipes, otherwise the liquid chemical may thin and even perforate their walls. Most often, the use of special chemicals is the initial stage of cleaning work, and if this fails, homeowners turn to specialists and their equipment, discussed above.

All those who have installed a septic tank on their site are wary of the onset of cold weather, since there is always a risk that it will freeze. But, as a rule, if the septic tank is designed and installed correctly, it will perform its functions without fail even in cold winters.

First of all, you need to know how it works of this device. A septic tank is a container (made of metal, concrete, plastic) that collects all waste. Then, under the influence of microorganisms, they decompose, clarify and filter. The depth of the sump is about 2 meters, so the risk that it will freeze is minimal. And since the septic tank is populated with bacteria, a small amount of heat is released during wastewater processing.

If winter temperatures drop low and the septic tank is frozen, then the used water will not leave the house or toilet, thereby creating a lot of inconvenience for household members. The simplest thing you can do in this case is to pour hot water into the sink, which will melt the ice plug that has formed and restore the operation of the septic tank.

If using hot water does not give the desired effect, then you should already use special compounds, intended for dissolution, which include a saline solution. They can also effectively remove ice blockages from a septic tank.
When none of the above methods help, you will have to use a heating cable, which is placed directly into the septic tank chamber during cold times. Throughout the winter period it will maintain the same temperature. This ensures that the drains will not freeze and the septic tank will work properly even in the most severe frost.

Insulation and preservation of the septic tank

Immediately after installing the sewer system, you can ensure that the septic tank works all year round without problems. To do this, insulation is carried out, which can even be done independently. Along with specially developed insulation materials, you can use expanded clay and polystyrene foam, which are laid on the upper surface of the septic tank. This kind of insulation prevents the penetration of cold air into the septic tank. Well, to be sure that the pipes themselves through which the drainage is carried out will not freeze, they can also be insulated for a cold period of time.

When we are talking about a country-type sewer system, which is not used at all in cold weather, then there is no need to insulate it, but conservation will not hurt for it. First of all, you need to protect yourself from the mistake that most summer residents make. With the onset of cold weather, they completely pump out the water from the septic tank. This should not be done, since with the onset of spring the empty container can simply be squeezed out of the pit onto the surface. The preservation procedure itself is as follows:

• disconnecting the sewer system from power;
• dismantling the pump and compressor;
• removal of wastewater in the septic tank to a level of 1/3 of the total volume;
• 2-liter containers are filled with sand and immersed in a septic tank;
• closing and insulating the septic tank.