Winter is here, and a lot of things in your home may be under unique stress. Your septic tank may be at risk during this time due to the cold weather, snow, and the guests that come to your house. Surely, you don’t want to deal with a septic tank problem, especially in the middle of winter! Here are some potential issues you may encounter and how to avoid them: 

– Tank Components Are Frozen

When snow gets deep into your septic tank’s components, it can freeze them, or worse, the entire system. Frozen tank components will slow down the metabolic rate of anaerobic bacteria in the tank. In turn, the waste will not be broken down. 

Avoid this by adding an insulating cover or blanket to your tank to keep it warm during the winter. It will also help to run your water and use the septic system every day to reduce the risk of freezing.
 
– Snow and Soil Are Compacted

Driving over snow with your vehicle can compact the snow above the tank. Combined with the cold weather, this can make the soil above the tank dense and compact. When this happens, it won’t be able to insulate your tank effectively, which will lead to a frozen septic system.

Avoid this by aerating your soil before winter and as much as possible, avoid driving over the parts of your lawn.
 
– Pipes Are Not Functioning Properly

Leaky or clogged pipes often lead to improper drainage. Moreover, leaks during winter can cause the water to freeze, which can damage the septic system. On the other hand, clogs can cause wastewater to build up in the pipes, which can also freeze. When wastewater freezes, it can damage your system and contaminate the water you drink at home. 
Avoid this by fixing leaky pipes before winter and address any clogs as soon as you notice them. 

– Overworked System

If you have guests during the holiday season, your septic system can become overworked because there will be an increase in showers and laundry. Also, the preparation of holiday meals can contribute to an overworked septic system as well. 

You can avoid this by staggering showers and laundry usage. It will also be a good idea to stagger food preparation over a few days.
 
– Difficulties in Pumping the Tank

You will find that it’s more challenging to pump your septic tank in the winter. This is because the ground is hard and frozen, and the snow on the lawn makes digging into the yard even more challenging. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t perform maintenance during this time of the year. You still can, but you can save yourself from the hassle by having your tank pumped the moment you realize it’s about to be full. Early pumping before the ground is frozen will decrease the chances of necessary maintenance during the cold months.
 
Conclusion

Knowing the potential septic tank issues in the winter and how you can avoid them are important. Should you come across any of these problems, make sure you have a professional handle them. 
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Here at 24 Hour Plumbing & Heating, our emergency plumbers in Calgary, AB can help you out. Contact us today.

No matter where you live or what time of the year it is, functional heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (also known as HVAC) systems are a must. However, no matter how well these essential systems are maintained, there is still an off-chance of them breaking down during times when they are needed the most. Knowing this, it is vital to have an HVAC service company at your disposal when you need help with the repair of these machines.

During instances when your HVAC system breaks down or malfunctions, you should have the contact information of the repair service. These companies will be able to come to your aid and help you, no matter what time of the day or night it is. 

Emergencies That May Require The Help of an HVAC Technician

Even if you think that you are able to maintain your HVAC system on your own, it may be best to contact an HVAC repair specialist in these following circumstances.
 
1) Air Conditioning Failure

There is no worse time for an air conditioning system to fail than during a heat wave in summer. Sometimes, though, it happens. It is best to call an HVAC repair service instead of trying to repair the air conditioning system. This becomes even more true if there are people living in the home who have certain medical conditions that may worsen because of heat. Having a professional repair the machine will be a much more convenient and quicker option.

2) No Heat or Airflow From The HVAC System

A heating system is designed to help normalize temperatures in a home during the cold, winter months. If the heating system suddenly stops working during winter, a technician should be called as soon as possible. Temperatures in the home can plummet, which is why it is critical for a technician to arrive on the scene to fix the machine at the soonest possible moment.

3) Strange Smells

HVAC systems do not typically expel funky-smelling air. If any out-of-the-ordinary smells start coming out of the HVAC system, there may be a chance that there is something going wrong internally. The air may be an indicator of contaminants, mildew or other potentially harmful unseen elements. A technician should be alerted the moment any strange smells are noticed. 

4) Concerns about Safety

There may be times when your HVAC system may no longer be able to do its job of providing clean air and making a home comfortable to live in. As the age of the HVAC system increases, its effectiveness may decrease. This becomes more true if the HVAC system is not maintained as often as it is meant to be. 

Conclusion

Making sure that your HVAC system is always in tip-top condition will ensure that you and your family will be able to live comfortably in your home, no matter what kind of weather is present outside. Even if your HVAC system is well-maintained, having the contact information of an HVAC repair company will give you peace of mind.

24 Hour Plumbing and Heating specializes in problems relating to plumbing and heating systems. We will solve all your plumbing, heating and air conditioning problems. Our team is specialized in emergency plumbing and HVAC. Stop searching for “AC repair near me” and contact us instead for immediate help with your HVAC system.