Your septic drainfield isn’t unsafe. If you have children or grandchildren, having them playing in the yard and enjoying the outdoors here in Florida is great. As a homeowner with a septic system you may have questions. What is that smell? When should I have my septic system service? You might also wonder about the drainfield and how you should and shouldn’t do near it. So let’s take a few minutes and consider some facts to keep you and your family safe.
Don’t Plant A Garden
Ok so you can plant a garden, and many people love the therapeutic benefit of tending a garden. The vegetables seem to taste better too. You shouldn’t plant a garden ON YOU DRAINFIELD. There are a few reasons for this. First, if you septic system needs serviced your garden may need to be dug up. Second and probably most important, it may not be safe to eat vegetables grown on your drainfield. Most of Florida is pretty sandy soil which means the soil will unlikely remove all of the harmful microorganisms from soil that will end up in the plants you grow.
No Parking Lot
In a previous article we discussed the dangers of driving on your septic drainfield. If the drainfield is located near a parking area and people keep parking on it, then perhaps you can place a fence around the area. This will save you repair costs from damage and will help you get the most out of your system in the long run as well.
What Should The Septic Drainfield Look Like?
When your septic system is running properly, the drainfield should have short green grass. Trees, bushes and shrubs should not be planted close by. Their roots will search out water, eventually making it to the septic tank can causing damage. It may also cause your septic system to fail when its most inconvenient, like 10pm on a Friday night. When a septic system is running properly, you do not need to worry about your children or pets playing nearby. Make sure any access to your septic tank lids are properly secured. If you have questions or not sure when your septic system was last serviced, give us a call. You can also complete our online request form as well. We have been working in Charlotte County Florida for over 30 years and have helped thousands of your neighbors. We look forward to meeting you!
