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 frustrating and costly 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.

Source: completehomewarranty.com

Our warmest New Year’s wishes from the entire team here at Morse Engineering and Construction Industries. Calendar year 2021 and these ever-challenging global events placed heavy burdens upon us all. But in many ways, and supported by family, friends, and all of you, 2021 was a uniquely remarkable year, reminding us of hope, family, gatherings and more. This time of year reminds us to recognize the joy that each and every one of you has brought to our lives. We recognize that our business exists because of your friendship, fellowship, trust, and loyalty.

Our New Year’s resolution is to nurture our ever strengthening partnership with you and to deliver value to you, your business, and your family through the entirety of 2022.

Throughout this Holiday season may you be blessed with health and surrounded by friends and family. We hope that the new year brings all of you uninterrupted good health, happiness, and prosperity. Happy New Year from Morse Engineering and Construction Industries. As Anne Frank said, “What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven’t even happened yet.”

Winter brings festive holiday parties and cozy nights by the fire. However, due to the dropping temperatures and harsh conditions, it also involves some home maintenance responsibilities. Your septic system may be particularly vulnerable to the elements.

Septic Maintenance Tips for Winter

1. Avoid Snow Compaction

Before the snowstorms, spread a thick layer of mulch over the grass above your septic components. Eight to 12 inches of organic mulch will insulate the soil around the tank and drain field, preventing it from freezing and reducing drainage.

You don't have to remove snow from the lawn to keep the septic system running properly. In fact, snowfall can insulate the area, preventing wastewater from freezing. However, compacted snow can cause temperatures to drop quickly, resulting in frozen pipes. Avoid walking over or parking heavy vehicles in a snow-covered yard.

2. Use Hot Water

When water freezes, it expands, resulting in burst pipes and a failing septic system. Since standing liquid is more vulnerable to freezing than flowing water, use your home's fixtures frequently to avoid plumbing disasters this winter. A hot shower or cycle of laundry will keep the septic system's pipes warm.

If there are certain fixtures that you don't use often, like guest bathroom toilets and sinks, run them occasionally to keep the water flowing. However, avoid overloading the system by staggering these routine flushes. For example, use the guest room sink and toilet on one day and the powder room's fixtures on the next.

3. Insulate Vulnerable Pipes

Since you can't always be home to use the plumbing, protect any vulnerable septic components with insulation. Exterior fixtures, exposed pipes, and the underground tank should be surrounded with foam insulation to avoid freezing.

A plumbing professional can ensure these areas are properly protected from the elements. They'll also address any cracks or corrosion to prevent existing problems from worsening in the winter's harsh conditions. Preparing your septic and plumbing components this season is particularly important if you plan to take a family vacation and won't be home for an extended period.

For more information on septic system inspections and repair, contact Morse Engineering and Construction for more information.

Source: connect2local.com

Harsh winter weather can significantly damage asphalt driveways. When water seeps into the surface, it will freeze and cause the driveway to expand, which leads to cracks and other defects. However, it is possible to safeguard your asphalt from the worst of winter, provided that you know what to do.

Do: Have your driveway seal coated.

We don’t suggest seal coating a new driveway for at least 2-3 years, basically seal coating is far more of an aesthetic application, but due to the pavement curing, seal coating is not recommend during this time. You could schedule sealcoating every 5 years or so for aesthetic purposes and to ensure the surface is still protected against moisture.

Take care when shoveling asphalt driveways

Removing snow and ice from your driveway to prevent water damage is crucial, but be careful about the type of shovel you choose. Plastic shovels are best since they’re less likely to cause cracks in the pavement like a metal shovel would. You should also be diligent about shoveling every time it snows. Allowing snow to linger on the pavement will only wear it down faster.

Don’t: Ignore cracks.

Even small cracks in asphalt allow more water to flow under the surface. Fortunately, many minor cracks can be patched, which prevents further damage from occurring. The sooner you have cracks repaired, the better. If you wait too long, it’s likely that potholes will develop, which can damage your vehicle.

Use certain de-icers.

De-icers like rock salt can also damage asphalt by wearing down the surface. Additionally, rock salt is ineffective at melting ice if the temperature is 15° F or lower.

Consider an alternative like magnesium chloride. Due to its slow attack rate, it’s generally considered less corrosive when used correctly. It’s also effective at temperatures as low as -5 °F.

connect2local.com

When it comes to de-icing sidewalks and driveways after a winter storm, not all salts are created equal.

Most of the popular de-icing products sold in stores are chloride-based, each containing a different combination of salt. Knowing the type of salt you are buying at the store could make a big difference in protecting plants, grass and even the concrete around your home.

Regardless of the product, use just enough de-icer to get the job done. Excess amounts can harm plants and concrete surfaces, especially rock salt and potassium chloride. All of the chloride-based products can be toxic to plants and animals. Blanketing areas with de-icer is unsafe and won’t be any more effective than smaller amounts.

Regardless of product used, homeowners should take the time to remove as much snow and ice as possible before applying a de-icing product.

If you throw a de-icer into the midst of snow, it is going to have very little effect. It will melt some, but it just doesn’t have the efficacy it has when it is on ice. And in some cases, it’s OK to let the sun help.

Take a look at what the temperatures are going to be. If you get a clear day following the storm, you can have a lot of the work taken care of for you by Mother Nature. Let solar radiation take the work out of your hands.

Want someone to take care of it for you? No problem!

Morse Engineering selects the appropriate de-icing materials to minimize damage to your paving and landscape while maximizing ice melting results. For serious applications our salt spreaders are equipped with calcium tanks to “pre-wet” the salt in order to release heat and attract moisture. The pre-wetting process ultimately creates a brine for fast and effective melting of stubborn ice at air temperatures well below freezing.

Source: ksre.k-state.edu

Very warm Thanksgiving greetings from all of us at Morse Engineering and Construction Industries, LLC. As business owners, clients, prospective clients, friends and family, and suppliers our sense of appreciation for all of you has never been higher.

Like us, each of you have had unique and serious challenges during the last couple of years, most likely both professionally and personally. We are reflecting upon these challenging times with a “glass half-full” perspective and we hope that you all are doing the same. Each and every one of you has delivered a positive and enduring effect on us and our business as well as on those around you. We hope that in some way we’ve done the same for you.

Wishing you sincere peace and joy this Thanksgiving holiday. While surrounded by family and friends, we take time for positive reflection upon all of life’s blessings, we hope that you do as well. Happy Thanksgiving from everyone here at Morse Engineering and Construction Industries, LLC.

Septic systems generally perform well; however, there are a few things that are good to know about a septic system before you buy a property. Here are suggested questions that could save you thousands of dollars.

Where is the septic tank located?

You may need this information when you have the tank inspected or worked on. Additionally, if you’re thinking about adding an addition to the home; will the tank need to be moved?

Where is the tank lid or riser access to the tank?

Good to know when you want to have the tank pumped or to perform maintenance.

Is there room for a secondary leach field should the existing one fail?

Note that if there was a permit and plans, the plans will normally show the future secondary field. The local building department or health department may have a copy of the plans. Having room for a second leach field is important, should the existing leach field fail.

Where is the filter access located?

Not all tanks have a filter, but if so, knowing where it is will be helpful when you wish to check it or clean it.

If the leach field is a chamber type, is there an inspection port and where is it?

Leach fields that are constructed with a chamber type of leach lines may have an inspection port. An inspection port allows you to monitor and check the water level in the leach field lines.

Was a permit obtained when the system was installed?

If the seller doesn’t know, the local building department or health department may be able to answer the question. They may also have drawings of the tank and leach field location.

How old is the septic system (tank, leach field and filter)?

This helps you to determine if you should anticipate future expenses for repair, maintenance or replacement.

When was the last time the septic tank was pumped?

Also, how often was it pumped out the tank. Did they go 10 years between pumping? Knowing when and how often helps determine how the system may be functioning or demonstrate lack of good maintenance.

What company last pumped the tank?

With this information, you will be able to call them to pump the tank for you should you want and ask questions about the system.

Has the tank ever leaked, been repaired, or has the leach field failed?

If so – who, what, when, where, etc. are good questions. These types of questions may provide additional information on the septic systems condition.

Are there any wells near the tank or leach field, if so where?

Systems that are too near a well can cause water contamination under certain circumstances. Having the well water tested will help answer if there is any cause of concern.

Source: buyersask.com

The person who’s responsible for carrying out the inspection is determined based on where you live. In Massachusetts, it’s the sellers’ responsibility to handle inspections and ensure the septic system is Title V.

Is the seller obligated to fix any septic problems?

The responsibility to pay for septic repairs typically falls to the seller. However, repairs of any kind found at inspection are generally negotiable. Contract terms usually dictate the course of action, but sellers may have such options as doing the repairs themselves, splitting repair costs with the buyer, giving the buyer a closing credit equal to the amount of the repairs, or refusing to do anything. If an agreement on repairs isn’t reached, the buyer does have the legal right to walk away from the transaction.

Don’t forget about disclosure

In all states, sellers are required to disclose any known problems with a home to potential buyers. If there’s a septic issue after closing that the sellers knew about, they will be liable for the entire cost of the repairs.

For more information on septic system inspections and repair, Contact Morse Engineering and Construction for more information.

Source: realtor.com

Experts say you should get a septic system inspection every three years. But here’s a dose of reality: Most homeowners never get their septic systems inspected unless there is a notable issue, according to Alex Glaser, a real estate agent in Richmond, VA.

But that means homeowners get an inspection only when issues that may signal big trouble arise, such as when the toilet backs up, water takes too long to drain, or there’s an actual septic system leakage. The benefit of doing an inspection every three years is to avoid major problems like these.

The three-year mark is also the maximum amount of time you should let your septic system go without being pumped out.

A problem caught at inspection can save you from having to replace the entire septic system (read: shell out a ton of money). It’s especially important to keep your septic system in good shape if you plan on selling. During closing, a certified inspection will be performed and you don’t want any last-minute surprises.

Source: realtor.com

Winter is on it's way, and it's going to be cold.

There's nothing worse than having your septic freeze over during winter. Below are some of the most common freezing issues that septic owners face as winter sets in:

No protective cover from snow.

Your septic system needs an insulating cover or blanket. The tank and the drain field, mound, or trench, should all have this cover to trap heat inside the system. As you know, there are resident anaerobic bacteria in the septic tank that break down the solid waste materials and treat the raw wastewater that your household produces. The heat maintains a high level of metabolism among the bacteria. If you don't provide a good snow cover, the frost will go deep into the septic components, eventually freezing the entire system.

Soil compaction.

This is caused by placing heavy vehicles and structures over the septic system. When this happens, the septic underneath freezes more easily, resulting in damaged septic parts and eventually a failed system.

Snow compaction.

Snow that is compacted insulates poorly. When you drive over the septic, you compact the snow and this pushes the snow even deeper into the septic. Always use insulated pipes in your septic so that your septic system will still be insulated, even if you drive over your septic in the winter.

Long intervals of not using the septic.

This often happens to various vacation homes that are not always used during the weekend. It also takes place in homes where there are only one or two inhabitants. Wastewater does not enter the septic system regularly to prevent it from freezing.

Not enough plant cover.

This usually takes place during the fall when there are new septics installed. Not enough plant cover is established before winter. The vegetative cover helps insulate the septic and also aids in holding the snow.

Leaks in the plumbing system.

If there are leaks, the small amounts of water that enter the septic will easily freeze the system over. The water discharged by humidifiers and furnaces also add to the moisture because of the discharge that they release in small amounts.

Poor drainage in the pipes.

When pipes are deteriorated, full of back-filled soil, or poorly installed, water tends to accumulate on one side and this liquid freezes over. Make sure that the wastewater drains out of the pipe.

System is waterlogged.

The septic becomes water logged when it is failing hydraulically. The water that goes to the side will freeze and this will prevent the next batch of wastewater from being treated.

Cold air is in the septic.

If you have it uncapped or open, surely cold air will enter the septic and freeze it over.

For more information on septic tank inspection, contact Morse Engineering and Construction.

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