Winter and Seasonal Care in New Brunswick
New Brunswick winters are hard on septic systems, especially at properties that sit empty for part of the year.
20 questions in this section
- Can a septic system freeze?
- Should I shovel the snow off my drain field?
- How do I insulate the field before winter?
- Why do lightly used systems freeze more often?
- What can I do if I am away for part of the winter?
- Should I leave a tap dripping in a deep freeze?
- Does spreading out water use help in winter?
- Should I pump my tank in the winter?
- What should I not do if my system freezes?
- What causes freeze-ups besides cold?
- Is the spring thaw hard on septic systems?
- Should I reduce water use during spring thaw?
- What about heavy rain events?
- How do I open a seasonal cottage in the spring?
- How do I close a cottage for the season?
- Should I pump a cottage tank every fall?
- Does road salt or driveway runoff hurt my system?
- Can I plow or park over the field in winter?
- What about a snowmobile or ATV over the field?
- Are frost-protected components required in New Brunswick?
Can a septic system freeze?
Yes. Freezing usually happens in the pipe from the house to the tank, in the pipe from the tank to the field, or in the field itself. It is most common at lightly used or seasonally vacant properties.
Should I shovel the snow off my drain field?
No. A blanket of snow is excellent insulation. Leave it in place, and avoid packing it down with vehicles, snowmobiles or foot traffic, because compacted snow loses its insulating value and drives frost deeper.
How do I insulate the field before winter?
Let the grass grow a bit longer over the field going into fall, and add a layer of mulch or straw over the tank and shallow lines if freezing has been a problem in the past. Do not use plastic sheeting, which blocks the air the soil needs.
Why do lightly used systems freeze more often?
Because moving warm water is what keeps a system from freezing. A system in constant use rarely freezes; one that sits idle for weeks has stagnant water in cold pipes.
What can I do if I am away for part of the winter?
Either use the system regularly or winterize it properly. If a house will be unoccupied, drain all the water from the pipes and empty the water heater rather than leaving standing water to freeze.
Should I leave a tap dripping in a deep freeze?
A slow, steady trickle keeps water moving through cold pipes and can prevent a freeze-up. Use it as a short-term measure during extreme cold, not as a permanent habit, since it also adds volume to the system.
Does spreading out water use help in winter?
Yes. Running a load of laundry or the dishwasher spaced through the day keeps warm water moving through the system, rather than sending everything at once and then leaving lines idle for 20 hours.
Should I pump my tank in the winter?
Not unless there is a problem. Pump in mild weather. Bacterial activity generates warmth, and an emptied tank in mid-winter is more susceptible to freezing.
What should I not do if my system freezes?
Do not add antifreeze, salt or any chemical to the system, do not use an open flame, and do not run more water hoping to push through the blockage. Call a septic professional with proper thawing equipment.
What causes freeze-ups besides cold?
Insufficient soil cover over shallow lines, compacted soil or snow, a leaking fixture that trickles cold water continuously, poor drainage causing water to sit and freeze, and heavy equipment traffic over the field.
Is the spring thaw hard on septic systems?
Yes. Saturated ground and a high seasonal water table reduce the soil's ability to accept effluent. Backups and surfacing are more common in spring, which is also why the Guidelines require clearance above the seasonal high water table.
Should I reduce water use during spring thaw?
It helps. If your field is in saturated ground, easing off on laundry and long showers for a few weeks reduces the load while the water table drops.
What about heavy rain events?
Same principle. Make sure roof drains, gutter discharge, foundation drains and sump pumps are directed well away from the field, and consider whether an interceptor drain upslope would help.
How do I open a seasonal cottage in the spring?
Check for frost damage or heaving, look at the tank lids and risers, confirm the alarm works if you have one, resume water use gradually, and inspect the field area for wet spots or odour as the ground dries.
How do I close a cottage for the season?
Pump the tank if it is due, drain the plumbing, do not leave standing water in traps that will freeze and crack, and leave the field covered with vegetation rather than bare soil.
Should I pump a cottage tank every fall?
Not necessarily every year. Base it on use. A cottage occupied a few weeks a year accumulates solids much more slowly than a full-time house, but the tank still needs periodic service.
Does road salt or driveway runoff hurt my system?
Salt-laden runoff should not be directed onto or into the field. Salt affects soil structure and the vegetation that helps the field breathe and evaporate moisture.
Can I plow or park over the field in winter?
No. Vehicle and equipment traffic compacts soil and snow, drives frost deeper and can crush shallow components. Keep the field out of your plowing route and mark its edges before the first snow.
What about a snowmobile or ATV over the field?
Same answer. Compaction is compaction, and repeated tracks over a field are a genuine cause of freezing and failure.
Are frost-protected components required in New Brunswick?
The Guidelines recommend that distribution boxes be insulated for frost protection and installed on a gravel base. Ask your installer what frost protection your specific design includes.
Have a question about your own property? General answers only go so far — your soil, slope, water table and setbacks are specific to your lot. Call (506) 233-6272 or send us the details.
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