We all want our yards to look fabulous, but did you know that a lot of septic issues don't begin in the tank? Rather, they begin in your backyard, specifically due to landscaping. Yes, the performance and efficiency of your septic system can be greatly impacted by your landscaping. How? The septic field may be gradually compressed by your landscaping decisions until drainage changes, roots spread, or the soil is unable to absorb water as it should. While regular Septic Tank Pumping in Albuquerque is essential to maintain your septic system, proper landscaping also plays a huge role in helping homeowners avoid costly septic repairs and system failures.
Homeowners are often unaware that what is happening above ground affects the septic system below the ground. They focus mostly on the look of landscaping and how it may be used. This blog takes a closer look at how landscaping impacts your septic system and how you can protect it by making the right choice.
The Connection Between Landscaping Choices and Septic System Health
To clean and distribute wastewater, septic fields need healthy soil. In quest of moisture and nutrients, shrubs and trees can shoot roots directly into pipelines and distribution lines. Roots do not break pipes immediately. They slowly grow over time, and as they do, they put continuous pressure on the pipes, causing them to look for any small opening to get through. When roots invade a septic system, it no longer allows for the proper cleaning of the system, as the remaining clogs and the structural integrity of the pipes continue underground.
Also, septic systems can handle a certain volume of water every day, but soil saturation from excessive watering reduces the soil's capacity to filter effluent. Your septic tank needs to work harder and would need Septic Tank Pumping more frequently when grass over your septic field is irrigated regularly, adding to its dampness.
Smart Landscaping Tips to Safeguard Your Septic System
Making responsible landscaping decisions can greatly help protect your septic system and reduce the impact that an improperly functioning septic system can have on the septic field.
Choosing the Right Plants
The types of plants you planted will affect how much water they will need to grow and how many nutrients they will pull from the soil. To get the best chance of absorbing and treating wastewater, you should select plants that are suited to the soil type located in your backyard. Your best options are to plant shallow-rooted turf grasses and native groundcovers that will assist with moisture management and protect the drainfield from being oversaturated.
Mind the Distance
Ensure that any trees or shrubs you choose to plant are at least twenty feet away from your septic system. This will help protect the septic system from being impacted by the roots of these plants penetrating into the underground pipes.
Maintaining Proper Yard Slope
The slope of your yard can have a significant effect on the performance of your septic system. By having a proper slope, you are preventing runoff water from getting to your septic tank and causing saturated soils by ensuring that water runs away from the septic tank and the drain field.
Use Organic and Chemical-Free Products
The use of chemicals such as fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides, and herbicides in landscape maintenance will have a negative impact on your septic tank system. These chemicals will leach into the soil and interfere with the normal operation of your septic tank system. Your best option for landscape maintenance is to use organic and chemical-free landscaping materials.
Conclusion
Gardening and landscaping projects can be a very rewarding experience for homeowners, but they should not come at the cost of your septic system. Homeowners can make smarter, responsible choices when it comes to landscaping and achieve both a beautiful yard and a protected septic system.
Call 505 Portable Restrooms for all your septic-related queries before you start your landscaping and to schedule your routine Septic Tank Pumping in Albuquerque.
“Content Copied From”: https://sites.google.com/view/septic-pumping-albuquerque/blog/how-landscaping-choices-can-impact-your-septic-systems-performance
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