If you have a septic system on a smaller lot, chances are that much of your backyard is part of your septic drain field. If you were there when your house was built, you probably know about where your drain field is located, but if you purchased an existing home, you may not know where your septic tank is located, let alone where the drain field ends. It is important to figure this out because drain fields can be damaged fairly easily.
Here are some things you should never do on top of your drain field:
- Planting trees or shrubs: All trees and shrubs should be a minimum of ten feet away from any part of your septic system. The roots of many trees and shrubs are attracted to water and will grow towards your system.
- Driving on it: You should never drive or park cars or other heavy vehicles on top of your drain field as you can crush the pipes that run through the area. Repairing drain fields is a sometimes expensive and involved process because of the extent of the whole system.
- Disturbing the soil: It is not a good idea to try to garden, grow vegetables or use a rototiller near your drain field.
Other things you can do to keep your drain field healthy include making sure that your roof runoff and other excess water is diverted away from the drain field, investing in lower water-usage faucets, toilets, showerheads and appliances, and planting grass over your drain field. You can also fix leaky faucets in a timely manner. If you take good care of your drain field, you will most likely get years of wastewater treatment from the system.