Hot water discharge to septic tank

[steam_mill]

I'm in Canada with a winterized cottage. At the end of the weekend, I empty all water lines and hot water tank. Currently I discharge through a garden hose outside the cottage. I'm thinkig I would like to discharge it into the plumbing as my garden hose sometimes freezes up and I have to defrost it.<br /><br />Should I be concerned about dumping 60 gallons of hot water into the septic tank and then leaving it unused for a month? Temperatures can drop to 30 below zero(celsius for farenheit).<br /><br />I'm thinking it should be no different than taking a shower?<br /><br />Comments?<br /><br />Tx.<br /><br />Joe

 

[JRJ]

Re: Hot water discharge to septic tank

I don't see where it would make any differance to the tank hot or cold. Once a year you should treat the tank with anerobic bacteria for a healthy system.

 

[steam_mill]

Re: Hot water discharge to septic tank

I'm just concerned about discharging a large amount of hot water when it is very cold out. The top of the tank is down about 18 inches. I'm worried with all that water that it may freeze?<br /><br />Comments?<br /><br />Joe

 

[fixin]

Re: Hot water discharge to septic tank

It shouldn't,if the system was put in properly.If it back's up or makes a gurgling sound,there might be a problem with the field.It wouldn't make a difference,the same amount of water is always in the tank,unless the field is not draining for some reason(roots).

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Hot water discharge to septic tank

If you are real concerned toss a gallon of rv antifreeze into the drain last. It might not prevent the rest of the septic from freezing but it might insure the line.<br /><br />I would continue to dump it outside just to be safe. The freeze depth is at least 2-3 feet as we know in cold climates.<br /><br />Bob

 

[KRS]

Re: Hot water discharge to septic tank

If the system is operating properly, it will probably generate a certain amount of heat... can anyone quantify that?

 

[steam_mill]

Re: Hot water discharge to septic tank

I'v got it draining externally now. Takes at least 30 minutes. I'm thinking of using solid PVC pipe for a new drain with proper drainage that will never freeze.<br /><br />My other option was to pipe a drain into the existing system.<br /><br />Tx.<br /><br />Joe

 

[MrBill]

Re: Hot water discharge to septic tank

Steam...<br /><br />You're right to be concerned...I've seen and personally experienced problems using a (reasonably) properly installed system in a very cold climate only occasionally in winter. With every day use you'd probably not have a problem. Last year I froze a water line becase it was too close to the septic system which leached water to the area as a result of putting a lot of water in like you described just before leaving for several weeks...frost was three feet down with water line about same (that was as far down as could be installed). Next door neighber experienced the problem you described, septic tank liquid froze about a foot thick and when he came back the next week he had about 40 gallons of capacity for septic on top of the ice, then everything backed up. I would drain the house line through the garden hose the way you described, then empty the hose before leaving, into the septic if necessary. 3 or 4 gallons is better than 60. Of course, if your tank is only down 18 inches, it may not have been intended for year-round use. But my come to think of it, my home septic tank top is only 12 inches down and we typically get 2 feet of frost, but it's in constant use, 16 years never a problem. It's that intermittent, once a month use at the cottage that's caused a problem. <br /><br />Don't put the RV anti freeze in, for the application you describe, you'd need 30 gallons to make a significant difference, but in the traps of sinks, toilets and showers is probably necessary. It's not easy to thaw these when frozen either...trust me on this one.

 

[steam_mill]

Re: Hot water discharge to septic tank

I've never had a problem with the septic backing up. The septic is 30 years old. I had it pumped/inpsected a couple of years ago.<br /><br />I actually had the plumbing winterized a couple of years ago. Well froze first year. Coldest winter in 30 years!<br /><br />Over the summer I'm going to use rigid pvc for drainage of the Hot water tank. I'll slope it so no water will acumulate and it will never freeze.<br /><br />Tx.<br /><br />Joe

 

[Ben Konopacky]

Re: Hot water discharge to septic tank

HOT water PVC dont mix. PVC will get soft and sag use cpvc for Hot water.That goes for sch 40 also<br /> just my $.02

 

[tomatolord]

Re: Hot water discharge to septic tank

Per code your tank is below the average frost line for your area, assuming it was put in correctly.<br /><br />However, dad had put in a seperate "water" only drain line to ease the load on the septic tank and we drain to that, basically a french drain. This line is NOT code but you can easily put in yourself<br /><br />I dont see the harm in emptying to your septic tank, it is full of water all of the time any way it is not like the tank drains to empty<br /><br />If your hose is freezing up that means there is water in the hose so you need to change the elevation of the hose so that it drains completely<br /><br />we use a hose as well, but the hose is the exact length to the drain, we cut it that way to eliminate any coils and since the hot water tank is up on blocks the hose always drains completely