5 Septic Problems to Address Before Winter in Upstate New York

Slow drains, backups or a soggy drainfield? Learn 5 septic problems Upstate NY homeowners should address before winter and when to schedule service.

Fall in Upstate New York means cooler temperatures, changing leaves and—whether we're ready for it or not—winter isn't far behind. For homeowners with septic systems, fall is also a good time to pay attention to small warning signs before frozen ground, snow and colder temperatures make septic problems even more inconvenient.

Clean Earth covered the benefits of fall septic pumping last year, so this year we're looking beyond routine pumping at five signs your septic or sewer system may need attention before winter arrives.

1. Slow Drains Throughout Your Home

One slow sink may simply be a localized plumbing issue. But if multiple sinks, showers or tubs throughout your home are draining slowly, it's worth investigating.

Slow drainage can be associated with a septic tank that needs service or a problem somewhere in the sewer or drain line.Clean Earth provides septic pumping as well as line opening, camera inspections and high-pressure jetting, making it possible to investigate the problem rather than simply guessing at the cause.

2. Gurgling Drains or Recurring Backups

A clog that keeps coming back is trying to tell you something. Recurring backups, gurgling sounds and repeated drainage problems can indicate buildup or another obstruction inside a line. A camera inspection can help identify what's happening inside the pipe, while professional line opening or jetting may be used to clear certain blockages.

Clean Earth also offers hot water jetting, which can be particularly useful for heavy grease buildup and frozen sewer lines.

Heading into an Upstate New York winter, this is one problem we'd rather address now than on a freezing January morning.

3. Soggy Ground Around Your Drainfield

Your drainfield shouldn't consistently look like the wettest spot in the yard. Soggy or muddy soil, standing water and unpleasant odors around the drainfield can indicate that wastewater isn't moving through the soil as it should. 

The good news is that drainfield trouble doesn't automatically mean you're facing complete replacement. Clean Earth offers Terralift drainfield rejuvenation, which may be an option for certain systems experiencing soil compaction and drainage problems. If rejuvenation isn't appropriate, their team also provides septic system repairs and replacements.

4. Your Septic Tank Is Due for Pumping

Not every septic warning sign is dramatic. Sometimes the biggest issue is simply overdue maintenance.

If you can't remember the last time your septic tank was pumped—or you're already due for service—fall is a convenient time to take care of it rather than waiting for a backup.

Clean Earth provides residential and commercial septic pumping and offers 24/7 response for backups and septic emergencies. 

Routine service now is certainly more appealing than emergency service when there's snow on the ground.

5. You've Been Putting Off a Known Sewer or Septic Problem

Maybe you already know something isn't quite right. The drain has been acting up. You've noticed an occasional odor. There's a questionable patch of ground near the drainfield. Or you've already had a line cleared once and the problem has returned.

Fall is a good time to stop putting it off. Clean Earth offers sewer and drain services including camera inspections, line opening, high-pressure jetting and cabling, along with septic inspections, pumping, repairs and installations.

Identifying the source of the problem allows you to determine whether you need simple maintenance, line cleaning, a repair or something more extensive.

Get Your Septic System Ready for an Upstate NY Winter

You don't need to wait for a full septic backup to call for service. Slow drains, recurring clogs, soggy drainfields and other changes can all be reasons to have your system checked—especially before another Finger Lakes winter sets in.

Clean Earth Septic Service is a family-owned company serving homeowners and businesses throughout Ithaca, Elmira, Corning, Big Flats, Hector, Watkins Glen, Waverly, Owego and surrounding Upstate New York communities.  Whether your system needs routine pumping, a camera inspection, drain or sewer service, Terralift drainfield rejuvenation, repairs or a new septic system, the Clean Earth team can help determine the right next step.

• Schedule Septic Service Before Winter