If your home has an older septic tank, it is extremely important that you treat your septic tank right if you want to avoid costly repairs. Here are a few things you can do this winter to keep your old septic tank working like new.

#1 Schedule An Inspection

The first thing you need to do is schedule an inspection for your septic tank. It is a good idea to have your septic tank inspected at least once a year. This is an easy way to make sure that you stay on top of necessary maintenance and to avoid costly repairs. 

#2 Insulate Your Septic Tank

All that snow, ice and rain can make it more difficult for your septic tank to get the job done. Give your septic tank a hand and insulate it this winter. To insulate your septic tank, there are a few things you can do. If you have grass growing on top of your septic tank, let it grow a little longer to provide your septic tank with a little extra insulation. If you don't have grass growing in your septic field, put down a couple of inches of mulch or wood chips; this is another easy way to provide your septic tank with the insulation it needs.

#3 Don't Walk In Your Septic Field

The next thing you can do to assist your septic tank is avoid walking or driving in your septic field. Walking or driving on top of your septic field when there is snow on the ground will compact the snow down. This will make it more difficult for the snow to melt, and will keep the ground around your septic tank cold for a longer period of time. 

If at all possible, try to avoid walking on top of your septic tank and within the septic tank field. You do not want to compress the snow down, nor do you want to compromise the insulation you gave your septic tank by compressing it. 

#4 Keep Your Septic Tank Free Of Snow

If you get a lot of snow in your area, when you shovel your driveway, shovel your septic tank field as well. As snow builds up, it traps cool air inside of your septic tank. Shovel the snow and keeping the snow pack to a minimum will help you avoid this problem.

#5 Use Your Septic Tank

It is also important to use your septic tank. During cold weather, your pipes can freeze and crack if they are not used on a regular basis. If you are going out of a town for more than a week, have a friend or neighbor stop by, run all of your faucets, and perhaps run your dishwashers to prevent your pipes and septic tank from becoming compromised due to a lack of use during the winter months. 

By taking all five steps above, you should be able to keep your old septic tank system in great shape and avoid any costly repairs this winter. Contact a business, such as Rob's Septic Tanks Inc, for more information.