...connecting community needs
and University resources...

Topics

• Agriculture
• Community
• Environment
• Family
• Garden
• Youth

Workshops

Find convenient educational offerings and e-learning

The Extension Store

Shop Extension for educational materials

Source

Winterize your seasonal cabin's septic system

For Minnesota cabin owners, knowing the proper way to close a septic system for the winter helps to ensure a more positive experience when opening your cabin the following spring!

Some tips from Extension's Septic System Owner's Guide:

• Completely drain plumbing and fill all traps with recreational vehicle (RV) antifreeze, even if the heat is left on. Do not use automotive antifreeze, salts or commercially available additives.
• Turn off the water. If you have a highefficiency furnace, reroute it to a floor drain or sump pump to prevent water from entering the septic system. If you leave the water on, eliminate leaks to prevent septicsystem freezing. Consider pumping the septic tank.

Stop cutting grass in the area around Labor Day to help insulate.

Check out more helpful "How-tos" on prolonging your septic system's life through proper design, installation, operation and maintenance. Extension's Septic System Owner's Guide can be purchased online for $4, plus shipping at shop.extension.umn.edu (search for item 06583).

For more septic system information, see www.extension.umn.edu/OnsiteSewage

Table of Contents

Previous | Next