Effluent Pump in the winter?

[VietGnome]

Currently planning out my 30x40 build. Trying to sort the viability of plumbing a sink. It's only an 80ft-ish run to my septic tank. I have a feeling it will very likely be a level run, or ever so slightly up, meaning I won't be able to achieve the correct grade for drainage.

I've looked at getting something like an under sink effluent pump setup. My only concern is that my frost line is 4', and the pump obviously can't pump the lines dry. Is there a way to tackle this for the winter months?

I've read about insulating the pipes, regular use, etc, however there is a good chance that especially in the winter months the sink will see very little use, or go extended periods with no use. Is there a way to tackle this with Canadian winters?

Thanks!

 

[Stuart in MN]

You could run some RV antifreeze through it after use, but it may be easy to forget to do it every time.

 

[larry4406]

Spendy, but Environmental-One is awesome.

Pumps thru a 2” force main, up hill, and reportedly a mile.

We’ve used them many times at the day job. My first house had one.

 

[tarmy]

I put a plug in after adding a small amount of RV anti freeze. They sit 6 months and aren’t a problem. Same with showers, sinks. Toilets get a cellophane cover that traps the liquids in the bowl so the gas doesn’t get in.

 

[PCustoms]

IIRC the "pit" goes below frost/stays in conditioned space (shouldn't be frost under your slab), all the piping stays below frost and obviously the check valve(s) keep it all from coming back

 

[ltusler]

I have the same issue, I use one of these:

Septic Heater - Prevent Septic System Freezing

A Septic Heater is the best way to prevent septic systems from freezing up. Frozen septic system? Septic Heaters prevent septic system freezing.

www.septicheater.com

 

[HoosierMark]

install the line from garage so it is uphill all the way to the septic tank with a backflow valve. The pump will push it thru to tank. Now install a valve at low point to let line drain by gravity in fall and line will be empty over winter. This will also allow you to fill sump pit in winter if desired and repeat steps. You could also use air pressure system like they blow out sprinkler lines with.

 

[35Ford]

Put a 1/4” hole in the discharge pipe just before it leaves the pump chamber. The uphill pipe will self drain back to the chamber as soon as the pump stops.

 

[Cheep]

Do you really need to run a line from a sink into the septic?