What You Can/Can't Put On Your Drainfield

Organic waste from homes is broken down by septic systems, which separate the waste into liquids and solids. The wastewater can be treated and reused as irrigation for crops or simply released into a septic field, which typically consists of perforated piping, set in gravel trenches, and buried about 1 to 2 feet underground. However, the solid sludge that forms in the bottom of the tank needs to be pumped out at regular intervals. There are a number of things you may (and cannot) put on your septic field, but it's often left empty to prevent system damage. To use a septic field without harming or interfering with the septic system, continue reading.

Plants That Are Good For The System Can Be Planted

Contrary to popular assumption, adding specific plants to a septic field can help with evapotranspiration and lessen the negative impacts of erosion, which can leave the field vulnerable to damage. Holly bushes, boxwood shrubs, azalea shrubs, hollyhocks, wild violets, and spring bulbs are typical examples of shallow-root plants you can plant to help enhance the visual appeal of the septic field while helping the sewage system. Although it's advisable to create a root barrier to protect both the sewage system and the trees from each other, some shallow-root species, such as dogwood and cherry trees, can be planted within 10 to 20 feet of a septic field.

Plants That Are Harmful To The System Can’t Be Planted

While there are advantages to growing some vegetation on the septic field, if you plant the incorrect kind of vegetation, issues may arise. Aspen trees, birch trees, blue mist spirea, pussy willow shrubs, and edible vegetable plants are typical examples of vegetation you can't grow on a septic field. Although a vegetable garden may appear lovely, there is a chance that dangerous pathogens, such E. coli, which could contaminate the food, could be absorbed by the roots of the plants. Even a raised garden is not a smart idea because the septic pipes could be damaged by the additional weight of the soil and the bed constructions.

Deep or wide-spreading root systems of trees, shrubs, flowers, and other plants can obstruct the operation of a septic system and may even encircle the pipes in the septic field, trapping sewage and bringing on flooding. It shouldn't come as a surprise that these plants can compress the septic system pipes because huge tree roots in particular are notorious for having extensive root systems that can pierce rock, pavement, and even house foundations.

You Can Set Up An Outdoor Kennel

A straightforward open-air kennel can be constructed on top of a sewage field if you have a dog and need a place for it to play without escaping. However, most buildings add too much weight on top of the septic field to be a practical alternative. It should be noted that the evapotranspiration process would be hampered by the inclusion of a roof and any kind of floor that would sit on top of the grass in this kennel. A suitable open-air kennel, in its simplest form, is a gated space where the dog is allowed to roam freely. Anything added on top of this simple design could endanger the septic field or make it difficult to reach the area for maintenance. Additionally, be careful to position the fence posts far enough from the septic field pipes to prevent damaging a pipe by mistake while excavating a fence post hole.

You Can’t Build Structures

As mentioned above, buildings are a horrible idea for septic fields and cannot be erected there. Many people recommend modest gazebos, tiny huts, and floating decks to help block out the sun as a workaround, but each of these additions puts the septic system at risk. Decks are too heavy to be constructed over a septic field properly; also, they obstruct access to the system and stop grass and other beneficial plants from growing, which lessens erosion's negative impacts. Similar problems to those with decks' excessive weight and restricted access apply to sheds, workshops, and garages. Although a gazebo isn't necessary too heavy for the ground, any kind of sun-blocking structure encourages soil erosion, which is why even an open-air kennel must have a roof. To minimize problems in the future, it is preferable to stay away from constructing any kind of construction over a septic field.

You Can Install A Swing Set

Some people may think that this large field is a waste of space, but since children and animals can play there without incident, it is an excellent location for erecting a portable swing set for the kids. Due to its small size and light weight, this type of playground equipment is normally exclusively designed for children under the age of ten. These elements also enable the construction of a swing set for some outdoor entertainment. Simply check to make sure the swing set doesn't have any sizable roofed parts that would block the sun and harm the local vegetation.

Permanent Playground Equipment Can't Be Installed

Installing a permanent or semipermanent play structure may seem like a great idea because children can make excellent use of the open area afforded by the septic field, but doing so can result in a variety of issues. Large play structures are frequently overly heavy, which strains the septic field and runs the risk of breaking or bending the pipes that are barely a foot or two below the surface.Moreover, this kind of play structure normally needs a plastic sheet to assist prevent floods and erosion around the playground. However, when this barrier is placed over a septic field, it obstructs the process of evapotranspiration and can actually create both erosion and flooding in the field. Sandboxes can harm the system because sand, gravel, and other playground equipment prevent the septic field from operating properly.

You Can Set Up A Volleyball Court

It is not advisable to create a regulation court with the proper flooring, but it is absolutely feasible to install two posts that can support a volleyball or badminton net without affecting the septic system. The grass should be left unaltered and uncut so that the existing vegetation may help the septic field with evapotranspiration. However, by establishing a temporary barrier with rope or chalk, a simple court can be created without causing harm to the sewage system.A full-size volleyball court that can seat 12 people isn't a good idea because of the weight that would be put on the pipes. Instead, keep in mind that such a court should only contain four people at a time.

You Can’t Set Up A Basketball Court

Tennis and basketball differ from volleyball and badminton in that they frequently need a paved surface to be played properly. It is not a good idea to pave over the septic field for anything, including parking, a patio, or a tennis or basketball court. In addition to preventing evapotranspiration, the use of concrete adds a large amount of weight that may cause the septic field pipes to collapse.

You Can Build Fences

When a septic system is involved, installing a fence in the yard is more difficult because you need to be sure that the posthole can be dug and the posts can be installed without causing damage to the septic field pipes. However, a fence around the septic field or even running through the septic field can be built with the help of an accurate blueprint that shows where the pipes are laid.Just be sure to carefully map out where the fence posts will exactly go in relation to one another, and be careful when you dig the holes for these supports. In the right location, the posts will fully support the weight of the fence, preventing it from placing an unnecessary strain on the septic system. Ensure that the system can still be accessed when required for maintenance.

You Can’t Add Water Features

While pools, ponds, and streams are great additions to a property, septic fields must be maintained far away from them. Ponds and streams that are too close to a septic field face the risk of becoming wastewater runoff points, decreasing the system's efficiency and causing areas surrounding the house to collect dangerous chemicals, like E. coli.

Even above-ground pools can be problematic, while in-ground pools should be the obvious concern given that they need to be dug out of the ground and installed there where the septic pipes are located. The pool not only prevents evapotranspiration from occurring by preventing oxygen from entering the septic pipes, but its weight—especially when it's full—could also crush the pipes and cause the entire septic system to overflow.