The Dos and Don’ts of Landscaping Around Your Septic Tank

We may bring in revenue from the product available on this Sir Frederick Handley Page and participate in affiliate programs . discover More ›

Though much of your septic system sits out of sight and out of mind beneath the Earth’s surface of the yard , not all of it is hold back below ground . infected system have visible manhole - similar cover and release pipes that can jut several feet out of the land . While there are things you should never swallow or build up over these unsightly part of your septic system , there are safe method for concealing them . From decorative landscaping to garden gnome , plenty of creative ideas can assist mask these waste - direction eyesores . Ahead , find out what you may do ( and what you should n’t do ) to mask unattractive septic tank covers and vents .

1. Do use faux rocks.

While put a large rock’n’roll on top of your septic tank cover is a no - no , there ’s nothing wrong with setting a lightweight simulated rock on top of it . imitation rocks , such asArlmont & Co. ’s plastic abstractionist garden stone , are made to suit over the top of the infected army tank cover . Since these fake boulders are made from lightweight fiberglass , they wo n’t use excess weighting to the septic organisation , and they ’re easy to remove when it ’s time for service . All you ’ll have to say to technicians adjudicate tofind the septic systemis , “ Just calculate for the big bowlder . ”

2. Don’t use heavy objects.

Avoid putting boulders or heavy pavers on top of the septic cover . Some septic tank car concealment are designed to confirm only about 100 to 125 pounds of weight . Even if you have a septic tank screen that can moderate hundreds of pounds , that cover must remain approachable for periodicseptic tank pumping , so whatever you place on top of it must be relatively easy to remove .

3. Do plant ornamental grasses.

One way to cloak the visible component of a septic system is to create a sieve of ornamental Mary Jane . decorative grasseshave shallow theme systems that wo n’t make for mayhem on your septic system . However , they ’ll turn improbable enough to create an effective ocular roadblock to hide septic tank covering fire and vent pipes . Just be prepared to replace them occasionally if they must be dig up up for servicing the tank .

4. Don’t plant large shrubs or trees.

While you might be tempted to plant shrubs and Tree around your septic system ’s visual components to hide them , doing so can get major problems down the route . Many bush and Tree grow large root systems as they get bigger that can grow into your infected flying field and its plumbing . This can lead to damage and a tidy mend bill down the road . Septic companies typically advise against implant any shrub or tree within a lower limit of 20 feet of the infected field .

5. Do put a planter over the lid.

Disguise that unsightly septic arrangement lid by putting a planter over top of it and fill it with flowers . One of the best types is a half barrel – dash planter that ’s with child enough to cover the entire septic tank car covering fire . Look for a planter such asBreakwater Bay ’s Juliann plastic planter , which has a hollow bottom and is large in diam than the cover . This let it rest on the primer coat around the cover as opposed to on the screen itself .

6. Don’t bury the septic tank lid.

Never immerse a infected armoured combat vehicle lid . Doing so makes it surd for a technician to access it when it needs Robert William Service and also allows rain to drain into the septic tank , which can cause the system to overflow into the yard or even back up into the house . Always check that the infected armoured combat vehicle lid sits a few inches above the earth . If grass originate around the area , be certain to keep it trimmed enough around the approach cut through so you could rule them when needed .

7. Do use an ornamental vent cover.

A septic system ventilation pipe can extend several ft out of the basis , making it a particularly unsightly component of a infected system . take corrupt anornamental septic vent coverto disguise it . These multifunction covers can double as doll menage , raspberry bath , and even landscape lighting .

8. Don’t block your septic system vent.

That infected arrangement vent that extends out of the ground in your railyard may be an eyesore , but it serves an important role in the performance of the organisation . Blocking it can forbid methane gas and carbon dioxide from vent out of the system , trapping these gas inside the tanks . As the pressure make by these gas builds up , it can cause the septic tank to back up and even cause a backflowing into the home .

9. Do decorate with small lawn ornaments.

While you should never place large weight on your infected tank lid , you may place low objects that weigh less than 100 pounds on top of it . Top your septic storage tank lid with a playfulness curtilage ornament such as a garden dwarf , for example . A minor yard ornament will mask the palpebra and is lightweight enough to removewhen it ’s time to pump the septic armoured combat vehicle .

10. Don’t build over the septic system.

While you might be tempted to build something over the top of the septic armoured combat vehicle cover to cover it , such as a gazebo , shed , or deck , the free weight of these structures candamage the septic leach fieldsurrounding it , and make it impossible to access theseptic systemfor veritable sustentation . With that in idea , avoid build up any large lasting structure over your septic system .

11. Do get artistic.

If a faux rock , lawn ornament , or planter is n’t in the budget , then consider turning that despicable infected tank cover into graphics . If your cover is concrete , consider using small tiles to create an attractive mosaic pattern on the lid . An gentle mode to go is to give it a pelage or two ofpaint for concrete . Choose a substantial color to blend in with the surroundings , or add a fun pattern or innovation .

12. Don’t build a fence.

While build a fence around the septic system deal and vent might seem like a gravid path to hide it from great deal , doing so could damage the system . Fences need situation that draw out several feet into the ground . There ’s a good chance you could grok into the PVC pipework in your septic playing area while digging the golf hole for these posts .

Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners

We ’ll help you set up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your patio , a promote bed , or an in - ground plot out back — and choose the correct plants for your grunge and region .

Septic tank cover and vent from a household septic tank, surrounded by patchy grass.