![raising the pipe in the overflow at fieldlines raising the pipe in the overflow at fieldlines](https://5irorwxhnokqiik.leadongcdn.com/cloud/kqBprKjqRiiSoroiqrljr/1574AG.jpg)
I would contact somebody in your area that installs or maybe inspects septic systems, See if yours is good for another 10-20 years, AND ask about putting anything on top of the leach field. Being able to easily get a cart or wheelbarrow between the beds is very handy.) I'd also include wide walkways to help the field dry out properly. If it were my land, I would build somewhere else if possible, but it it were the only spot I would stick with shallow-rooted veggies and avoid carrots, beets and other plants which have vigorous and deep root systems. If there is one or two people in the house, that's one thing, but if you have 6 people in a 3 bedroom you might overload the field. Shading the field with too much vegetation, adding extra soil on top of the field and watering and fertilizing will reduce it's efficiency. If you are going to invest a lot of time and money and energy into building great soil it would be no fun to tear up your garden for the sake of working on your septic field. More of concern is the stability of the field itself and what happens if the field needs to be worked on. I'm not so sure about eating out of someone else's toilet, tho. I wouldn't be adverse to it, provided it was MY greywater. Lots of people do greywater deliberately either as a way of reducing water/energy consumption or because it's good fertilizer. I suspect they are overblown, but you are basically talking about putting greywater in your garden. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commissions at no cost to you.There are some safety concerns regarding bacterial contamination with planting over septic lines. In addition to the potential legality issues, if the septic tank drain field is installed incorrectly you will have a back-up problem in the tank. Research your local rules regarding septic tank usage.
#RAISING THE PIPE IN THE OVERFLOW AT FIELDLINES PROFESSIONAL#
Depending on your area, the law may call for a licensed professional or agency to perform this test for you. Many health departments require a percolation test to establish suitability of drainfield soil. The plants you can use that require very little water and have shallow root systems include Japanese surge, carpet bugle, periwinkle, Irish moss, and some strains of wildflowers. You also cannot add more than two to three inches of top soil. Keep in mind you cannot aerate or till the soil. There are several plants that will do well in the septic tank drainage field to keep it from looking like a complete eyesore. When the ground settles, you will probably need to add more dirt to level your field. You will need to wait two weeks for the ground to settle. When you are done with the pipe and gravel, your next step is to fill the rest of the trench in with dirt so your field is level with the ground around it. Its function is to keep dirt and sand from blocking the drainage from the gravel. When you have laid the pipe and gravel, drape your cloth over it. Once the entire pipe is in place, fill the trench with another one to three inches of gravel and let the gravel work its way down around the pipe. Use the clamps to hold the pipe in place at the septic tank drain so it does not shift and misalign.
![raising the pipe in the overflow at fieldlines raising the pipe in the overflow at fieldlines](https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/attachments/plumbing/2996d1174363324-washer-overflows-unusual-washer-drain-plumbing-003.jpg)
Place the pipe from the septic tank all along each trench. Once the trenches are dug you will put at least 1-1 1/2 inches of gravel along the bottom of each trench. You do not want the wastewater to pool at the bottom and rise up. Make your trenches so they tilt downward slightly, but no more than a 1/4-inch incline for every eight feet you have. Each trench should be three to four feet wide and equally deep. You will need to dig either four two-foot long trenches or two 50-foot trenches for a 1,000-gallon septic tank. Send a sample to your local extension office or pick up a soil test kit here. It's best to find this out before you dig. If the absorption capacity is too low, you will have trouble with back-ups. Step 3 - Make Sure the Soil is AppropriateĮven if it's not required, have the soil tested in the area. Verify all of the relevant laws and regulations prior to starting this project. Digging the field is a lot of hard work, but having to remove it and start over again is even worse. Verify if you need a permit to build the septic tank drain field or if you need to have the site inspected prior to starting work.