In general, septic systems contain two main parts: the tank and the drain field. Waste flows into the tank first, where solids sink to the bottom while liquids flow out into the drain field, which is a network of pipes and filters designed to remove contaminants from the water until it can be safely returned to the soil.
Our team at Tampa Bay Septic has worked extensively on drain fields over the years, and we want to help you keep yours in great shape. We encourage you to keep reading to learn a few expert tips on how to keep your drain field in excellent condition.
- Never Park on the Drain Field – Drain fields, like septic tanks, are located underground. In order to keep your drain field in good condition, you should avoid parking any vehicles on the ground above. The weight of your car will put excess pressure on the pipes, which can damage them.
- Don’t Overload the Drain Field – Another thing you should do to keep your drain field in good working order is avoid overloading it with too much water at once. Make sure your rainwater drainage systems route water away from the drain field area, as flooding the drain field with too much water will slow down its treatment and filtration of the liquid effluent from the septic tank.
- Mind Your Roots – When landscaping your yard, be careful to avoid planting trees or shrubs too close to the drain field area, as the roots can damage the pipes as they grow. Our team can offer advice on how far away to place these types of plants in order to prevent damage to drain fields.