Lack of snow cover and dropping temperatures can spell trouble for homeowners with septic systems.

Snow helps to insulate septic systems and keep them from freezing. Unfortunately, a lot of our snow cover has melted and temperatures across the state are dropping.

Here is a list of seasonal tips for homeowners on how to prevent septic system freeze-ups as the winter season progresses and how to deal with them should they occur:

• Place a layer of mulch 8 to 12 inches thick over the pipes, tank, and soil treatment system to provide extra insulation. This can be straw, leaves, hay or other loose material that will stay in place and not become compacted. This is particularly important for new systems that were installed so late in the year that vegetative cover didn't get established. However, if the system is currently frozen, don’t add mulch now; it will delay thawing in the spring.
• Use water—the warmer the better—if you’re worried your system is starting to freeze. Spread out your laundry schedule so you run one warm/hot load a day. Use the dishwasher and take hot baths. Do not leave water running all the time—this will overload the septic system.
• Going away for an extended period? Have someone use warm water in the home regularly or pump out your tank before leaving.
• Fix any leaky plumbing fixtures or appliances in your home. This will help prevent freezing problems and help your system perform better all year.
• Keep all vehicle, animal, and people traffic off the system. This is a rule to follow all year as compacted snow and soils cause frost to go down deeper and faster. Pay special attention to the area between the house and tank.
• Keep an eye on your system. If any seeping or ponding occurs, contact an onsite professional to help determine the cause and remedy.
• Add more insulation to your system. This could include replacing pipe with insulated pipe, adding expanded foam panels over septic tanks, or adding more soil cover.

If your system freezes

If your septic system freezes, Morse Engineering and Construction.

Other methods used to fix a freezing problem include adding heat tape and tank heaters. Cameras can be sent down pipes to determine where freezing is occurring. If the soil treatment system is full of ice, or there is evidence of leaking, skip trying to thaw the lines leading to the treatment area as it cannot accept liquid until the area thaws in spring.

If it’s not feasible to correct a problem, the only option is using the septic tank as a holding tank until the system thaws naturally. Contact a pumper to empty the tank when it starts to fill up. In this situation, reduce water use by limiting the number of toilet flushes, taking short showers, and using the dishwasher at full capacity.

For more information, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

If you have a septic system, it’s important to know what you should and shouldn’t do around that area of the yard and indoors. There is a possibility of a septic system freezing, especially in cold areas with little snowfall. Follow these tips to reduce the chance of costly and stressful damage to your septic system this winter.

Repair leaky fixtures. Dripping sinks, showers, and toilets can result in ice forming in the pipeline between your house and septic tank.

Use hot water. Having warm water flow into the tank regularly will help prevent ice buildup. Pamper yourself with a long bath or shower with the knowledge that you’re helping the septic system!

Keep up the lawn. A healthy, thick lawn of grass or other foliage will help insulate the soil that contains the septic system.

Spread mulch. Place an 8-12 inch layer of straw mulch on top of and around the pipes, tanks, and drain field of the septic system. This will further insulate the ground and help prevent the soil from freezing.

Secure the system. Make sure the tank and pipes don’t have any cracks in them and any caps are still securely in place. Any openings can let cold air into the system.

Keep cars away. Never park any vehicles on top of your drain field. Cars will compact the soil above the septic system, which makes it easier to transfer cold below. They will also prevent insulating snow from covering the area.

If you’ve had troubles with your septic system freezing or other issues in the past, you should get the system checked out by a professional. They can help with problems such as:

Sagging pipes. Pipes that have settled into the ground unevenly will cause water to pool and possibly freeze.

Insulation installation. A sewer professional can install more extensive insulation around the tank and pipes.

Draining the system. A septic tank and pipes periodically need to be pumped and cleaned out. You should leave this task to a professional.

Waterlogged drain field. Older septic systems can cause the drain field to become flooded. In this case, consult with a professional to see what can be done in your particular situation.

Keep your septic system in good shape by getting it checked regularly. In the meantime, keep these tips in mind to help prevent freezing and damage. For more information on septic system inspection and repairs, contact Morse Engineering.

source: completehomewarranty.com

Did you know that as a homeowner you’re responsible for maintaining your septic system? Did you know that maintaining your septic system protects your investment in your home? Did you know that you should periodically inspect your system and pump out your septic tank?

If properly designed, constructed and maintained, your septic system can provide long-term, effective treatment of household wastewater. If your septic system isn’t maintained, you might need to replace it, costing you thousands of dollars. And if you sell your home, your septic system must be in good working order.

Why Should I Maintain My Septic System

When septic systems are properly designed, constructed, and maintained, they effectively reduce or eliminate most human health or environmental threats posed by pollutants in household wastewater. However, they require regular maintenance or they can fail. Septic systems need to be monitored to ensure that they work properly throughout their service lives.

Saving money

A key reason to maintain your septic system is to save money! Failing septic systems are expensive to repair or replace, and poor maintenance is often the culprit. Having your septic system inspected regularly is a bargain when you consider the cost of replacing the entire system. Your system will need pumping depending on how many people live in the house and the size of the system. An unusable septic system or one in disrepair will lower your property value and could pose a legal liability.

Protecting health and the environment

Other good reasons for safe treatment of sewage include preventing the spread of infection and disease and protecting water resources. Typical pollutants in household wastewater are nitrogen, phosphorus, and disease-causing bacteria and viruses. If a septic system is working properly, it will effectively remove most of these pollutants.

How Do I Maintain My Septic System

Inspect and pump frequently

You should have a typical septic system inspected at least every 3 years by a professional and your tank pumped as recommended by the inspector (generally every 3 to 5 years). Alternative systems with electrical float switches, pumps, or mechanical components need to be inspected more often, generally once a year. Your service provider should inspect for leaks and look at the scum and sludge layers in your septic tank. If the bottom of the scum layer is within 6 inches of the bottom of the outlet tee or the top of the sludge layer is within 12 inches of the outlet tee, your tank needs to be pumped. Remember to note the sludge and scum levels determined by your service provider in your operation and maintenance records. This information will help you decide how often pumping is necessary.

Four major factors influence the frequency of pumping: the number of people in your household, the amount of wastewater generated (based on the number of people in the household and the amount of water used), the volume of solids in the wastewater (for example, using a garbage disposal increases the amount of solids), and septic tank size.

Some makers of septic tank additives claim that their products break down the sludge in septic tanks so the tanks never need to be pumped. Not everyone agrees on the effectiveness of additives. In fact, septic tanks already contain the microbes they need for effective treatment. Periodic pumping is a much better way to ensure that septic systems work properly and provide many years of service. Regardless, every septic tank requires periodic pumping.

In the service report, the pumper should note any repairs completed and whether the tank is in good condition. If the pumper recommends additional repairs he or she can’t perform, hire someone to make the repairs as soon as possible.

What Does a Septic Inspection Include?

• Locating the system.
• Uncovering access holes.
• Flushing the toilets.
• Checking for signs of back up.
• Measuring scum and sludge layers.
• Identifying any leaks.
• Inspecting mechanical components.
• Pumping the tank if necessary.

For more information on Septic Tank Inspections, contact Morse Engineering.

EPA

The frequency of septic tank cleanings varies depending on the tank size, daily sewage intake and number of people it serves. Generally, septic tanks should be cleaned every 2 years, although it is not recommended as a “do-it-yourself” project.

Periodic pumping of the septic tank between cleanings is considered a homeowner responsibility. The need for pumping is normal and not a deficiency, however if you are in the market for a new home you may want a septic inspection. Failure to have your septic system regularly pumped may cause problems. Vehicles should not be driven or parked over septic tanks or on drainage fields. Trees and shrubbery should not be planted in the drain field either.

For more information on septic systems, contact Morse Engineering.

Happy New Year from Morse Engineering and Construction. We would like to thank our clients and our community for allowing our business to be part of your lives in 2018. We wish you a wonderful and prosperous 2019!

If we have had the pleasure of being your for septic or site work, we hope that we provided the highest level of service. If you are in need of septic service or site work in 2019, we hope that you consider Morse Engineering and Construction for your home or business.

It is our sincere wish that in the New Year you are surrounded by warmth, family, and friendship. From all of us here at Morse Engineering and Construction, have a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year.

Sincere best regards to you all.

There is a belief that construction site work cannot be done in the winter, but this is not the case. Others believe that perhaps concrete cannot be poured during the harsh New England winters because it will freeze before it will set. These myths are just that: myths.

With additives for concrete specifically designed to be used during cold weather, we can pour foundations and basement floors throughout the entire winter season with no adverse effects.

Construction site digging work can be done during the winter as long as the ground has been protected before the frost. If you are planning to dig during the winter, protecting the ground before a hard freeze can easily and inexpensively be done by spreading wood chips, hay, straw, or other mulch products. Leaves that have been raked up during fall cleanup are also an option as long as they are 12-18 inches deep. There is no longer a need to wait for the spring thaw to start your new home!

For more information, contact Morse Engineering.

Our warmest Holiday wishes from the entire team here at Morse Engineering and Construction. Calendar year 2018 was, and continues to be, a truly remarkable year and we take this moment to recognize the joy that each and every one of you has brought to our personal and professional lives. We exist because of your faith and trust in us.

As calendar year 2019 approaches, we reflect upon the foundational recognition that your success is our success. Our New Year’s wish for 2019 is to nurture our positive and ever strengthening partnership and to deliver ever increasing value to you and your business through the entirety of 2019.

Throughout this Holiday season may you be blessed with health and surrounded by friends and family. All the best! Cheers!

Building a new home can be done any time of year. And at Morse Engineering and Construction, we are used to doing site work for new home construction in the winter. So if you have been thinking about building yourself a new home, and you want to take advantage of the mortgage rates before they rise some more, you can! At Morse, we are experienced in site work in Western Massachusetts during all times of year.

We take extra precautions with the ground digging, laying down hay, leaves, wood chips, or other mulch to keep the ground from freezing. Additionally, specially formulated cement is used to pour your new home’s foundation during the winter. You do not need to be concerned about the elements. So take advantage of these mortgage rates before they continue to rise and feel free to start your site work for your new home building project.

Contact Morse Engineering and Construction for more information.

Your driveway has probably seen some wear and tear after years of winters, freezing and thawing. Patching the driveway is not always the best choice. If you have a few severe cracks and holes, or several smaller ones, it is not necessarily cost-effective or practical to patch them all. While patching the driveway does restore the structural strength it won’t look as nice, clean and neat as a newly resurfaced driveway. If you are concerned about curb appeal, resurfacing may be the best choice.

Resurfacing the Driveway

Resurfacing is completely removing and replacing the top layers of asphalt. The patching is done before the final top layer of asphalt is poured. This adds the structural strength and gives a look of a new driveway. And it’s a fraction of the cost of complete replacement of an asphalt driveway.

Resurfacing can fix many badly damaged asphalt driveways. But it is not the right choice in all situations either. Some driveways have damage that extends to the foundation of the driveway. Patching can fix relatively small failed areas but is not practical for bigger or multiple problems.

Replacing the Driveway

The older your driveway is, the more likely it is to need replacement. Driveways are exposed to massive forces and eventually these forces will take their toll. Patching or resurfacing an asphalt driveway that is more than 20 years old will be a temporary fix. Almost certainly a new problem or problems will develop after the repairs are complete.

Replacing the driveway is starting over. The upfront cost are higher but it is a long-term investment. With the right maintenance, a new driveway could be essentially trouble-free for another 20 or more years.

For more information on patching, replacing or resurfacing an asphalt driveway, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

Your parking lot is the first thing customers and potential customers see when driving by or approaching your business. A well-maintained parking lot makes a great first impression, which can add to your brand, reputation, and image. But, a clean, crisp, and smooth parking lot also keeps customers and employees safe.

Benefits of a Well-Maintained Parking Lot

• Give a lasting first impression to customers
• Improves resale value of your property
• Minimizes tenant turnover in commercial properties
• Give pride to employees
• Avoid accidents and falls caused by pot-holes and pavement cracks
• Ensure code compliance for fire and ADA regulations

Asphalt in parking lots is weakened by sun and water, vehicle weight, temperature changes, and flexibility in the pavement. But, as business or property owners there are things you can do to prolong the life of your parking lot and your investment. A couple of important maintenance steps include: removing leaves, branches and other debris from the pavement to prevent moss growth which can break through and weaken pavement; and regularly filing cracks and sealcoating.

For more information on repaving or resurfacing a parking lot for a business, apartment complex, or school, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.