If the liquid waste in your home drains into a septic tank within your property, you need to be careful when landscaping near it. The septic system has a drain pipe which releases effluent into the soil after it's been broken down by bacteria in the septic system. Landscaping over a septic leach field requires special care to avoid causing harm to yourself or interrupting the functioning of the septic system. Here are the steps and measures that you should take when landscaping over the leach field.

Wear protective gloves

Wearing gloves is usually recommended when carrying out landscaping and gardening work. However, it is particularly necessary when working over a septic leach field. Although the effluent released into the leach field is treated and environmentally friendly, the contaminants that leach from the septic system into the soil can be harmful to humans when ingested. To avoid coming into direct contact with these contaminants, it is essential to wear protective gardening gloves. Thoroughly clean the gloves with a disinfectant afterward before storing them.

Turn off the sprinkler system

Running the sprinkler system over your septic leach field has the same effect as heavy rain – it can cause flooding in the septic tank. Remember, the soil around the septic tank is already being watered from below as the effluent is being released into the soil. Watering the soil around the leach field means that its water holding capacity will be reduced, and the septic system won't be able to release effluent. A flooded septic system can be problematic in your home as it could even lead to backing up of sewage into your plumbing drains.

To be on the safe side, turn off the sprinklers when landscaping near the leach field. If you have to use them, don't do so near your septic leach field. Always mount them a few feet away from where the septic tank is installed. If you notice puddles forming all around the leach field, your septic tank could be flooding, and you should turn off the sprinklers.

Dig a trench

Digging a trench to direct water away from your septic tank during the rainy season can be beneficial to your septic system and the landscaping. If the area floods due to stormwater runoff, your septic tank will flood as well, and so will the area around the garden. Dig a shallow trench to divert water away from the landscape and septic leach field.

If you experience any problems with your septic drainage after landscaping, call a professional to help in diagnosing and fixing the problem so as to restore proper functioning of the system.

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