Septic Systems and Landscaping

Your guide to septic safe plants…

You’ve just installed your new septic system and you’re left with a dirt patch. Or you are tired of the boring green landscape. You want to enhance your curb appeal and keep your yard septic friendly. Here are some tips for septic safe plants and landscaping.

Why Plant On Your Septic System

You may have been scared away from planting on your septic system. And for good reason. Invasive tree roots can wreak havoc on leach fields, but certain plants and landscaping can actually help the efficiency of your system.

Types of Septic Safe Plants

The best septic safe plants for over your system and leach field are short-rooted plants perennials and grasses (including ornamental grass). Grasses and flowers reduce erosion of the soil over your leach field, regulate moisture and can help reduce flooding after heavy rains. And they optimize the exchange of oxygen in the soil needed to filter the last of the bacteria from your wastewater. Their shallow root systems are less likely to invade the underground system and cause damage. Herbaceous (non-woody) ground covers are also a good choice.

Things to consider when deciding what to plant

• If the area is sunny, consider these perennials for sunlit areas

• If the spot does not get much sun, you will probably be happier with these shade-garden plants.

• The soil around leach fields is sometimes wetter than average, sometimes saltier than average, and sometimes both. Cover both bases with perennials such as bee balm, hollyhocks, and wild violets, which tolerate both wet ground and salt.

• Bambi will not turn his nose up at plants growing over septic systems, so if you find yourself keeping similar company as Snow White, you will want to look into deer-resistant perennials and deer resistant ground covers, as well as spring bulbs and ornamental grasses that deer do not eat.

It is not safe to eat food crops grown in the ground around a drain field because eating them might entail ingesting harmful bacteria. Any trees or shrubs that you plant should be planted as far from the your septic system as they are tall. So a tree that reaches 30 feet in maturity will need to be planted at least 30 feet away from your septic system.

If you must grow trees and shrubs, shallow-rooted kinds are better to grow around septic tank drain fields. Shallow-rooted trees and shrubs include:

• Dogwood trees

• Japanese maple trees

• Eastern redbud trees

• Cherry trees

• White Oak

• Azalea shrubs

• Boxwood shrubs

• Holly shrubs

The ideal plant is simple grass, as it take sthe least amount of work and has short roots. If you plant flowers, stick to flowering annual or perennial bulbs with short roots or wildflowers.

If you’re tired of grass try a clover mix (microclover/ecograss/carex pensylvanica dwarf, white clover, carpets (thyme, sedums, low-growing ground covers), shallow, short/soft rooted perennials, and moss)

Try to stick with plants that are native to your area (most of Paradise and Magalia are zones 8 & 9). They will have the best reaction with your climate. For more septic safe trees by zone, check out this link, or consult a local garden center and inform them you are landscaping around a septic system.

The Bad Plants

Deep roots are deadly for a septic system and leach field. They can penetrate and clog pipelines, leach field lines, and the tank itself. Trees and shrubs to generally be avoided include:

• Pussy and Japanese Willow Shrubs

• Aspen Trees

• Poplar Trees

• Birch Trees

• Beech Trees

• Cedar

• Elm Trees

• Maple Trees (except Japanese Maple Trees)

• Sweetgum Trees (Eucalyptus)

• Ash Trees

• Tulip Trees

• Cypress trees

• Walnut trees

• Bamboo

Stay away from plants that require frequent work, the less you are disrupting the soil the better. There is no need to water your plants more than absolutely necessary, or add soil to the area. Always wear gloves when gardening near your septic system.

Surrounding Area Landscaping

While not in direct contact with your septic system, it is important to landscape the rest of your yard accordingly.

• Large trees should be removed from the general area as their roots can spread far and wide. The rule of thumb is to keep all trees at least 100 feet from your home and septic tank.

• Use barriers, natural or man made, to discourage traffic over your system. This especially applies to vehicle parking. Make it obvious! Do not park on your septic tank or drain field.

• Use mulch, flowerbeds, rain gutters and drains to divert excess water from your leach field.

Just because you have a septic system doesn’t mean your yard has to be barren. It doesn’t even have to be just grass. Stay with septic-safe plants to avoid the headache of a damaged system while enjoying your yard and landscaping.

Bacteria In Septic Tanks

Although their work is not glamorous, bacteria in septic tanks are the work horses of your system. Keep the bacteria in your septic tank happy and healthy.

While inspections and pumping go a long way, many are surprised to find that your septic tank is a living organism—at least the bacteria living there are. With trillions of bacteria naturally present and working to decompose the solid waste in your tank, it is important to know how to take care of them without upsetting the system.

What Are The Bacteria Living In Your Tank?

Bacteria are separated into two categories: Aerobic and Anaerobic. Aerobic Bacteria are more efficient than their counterpart when it comes to breaking down and using waste as fuel. However, they need plenty of oxygen to survive and are highly sensitive to environmental changes. With little to no need for oxygen and more resilience to environmental changes, the climate of a septic tank suits Anaerobic Bacteria better.

How Do Bacteria Help Your Septic System?

With solid waste often settling on the bottom of your septic tanks, it is hard for the flow, pumps and filters to reach it once it is on the bottom. Enter bacteria! They work to break down solids by digesting the waste as their fuel and excreting is as liquids and gasses. In fact, they are so efficient that they can handle decomposing up to 50% of the waste in your septic tank.

Is Other Maintenance Required?

While 50% is a substantial amount and goes a long way to keeping your septic system in working order, the bacteria need a helping hand. As the undigested solids begin to build up, it can become suffocating and hard for the bacteria stay ahead. To keep the colonies of bacteria healthy it is suggested to have your tank inspected every 5 to 7 years and pumped when the solid waste level is over 25% of your tank.  When you get your tank inspected, your septic professional can recommend whether a pumping is needed. Keep in mind, a system does NOT need to be pumped in order to be inspected.

What Can Disrupt Septic Tank Bacteria?

Although not on purpose, there are a few common household chemicals and practices that can hurt bacteria colonies over time. This list includes:

• Household Chemicals

Liquid bleach, disinfectant cleaners, drain cleaners, non-degradable detergents, solvents (such as paint thinners), insecticides and some prescription drugs such as antibiotics or strong medications. While anaerobic bacteria are resilient and able to handle the occasional chemical, large quantities can kill the colonies over time.

• Antibacterial Cleaning Products

Marketed to kill bacteria, hand soaps and other antibacterial cleaners are designed to not only keep your hands, counter tops and household clean, they can also kill off the bacteria in your septic system. We aren’t suggesting stopping washing your hands, but keep this in mind when thinking about the longevity of your septic tank.

• Flushable Wipes

Flushable wipes don’t decompose, leaving layers and layers of unbroken down solids that bacteria have a hard time decomposing.

• Septic Additives

Like many things, the natural process doesn’t need your help. Even the EPA agrees, stating that septic additives “may actually hinder effective septic system operation by destroying useful bacteria that aid in the degradation of waste, resulting in disrupted treatment activity and the discharge of contaminants.” So we say, don’t waste your money! If you do want to lend your system a helping hand check out this blog post that separates fact from myth on how to bolster the health of your bacterial colonies.

The stakes are high to keep your septic system in top condition, and that means keeping the trillions of bacteria happy and healthy! Have questions? Give us a call today!

Where’s My Septic?

When you know exactly where the septic tank is located on your property, it can make it easier to perform regular maintenance. There is going to come a time when your tank is going to need to be inspected, pumped, and maintained. Ignoring inspections and maintenance and waiting until the system has a visible problem will significantly reduce the lifespan of the entire system in addition to creating a potential health hazard.

3 Ways to Locate Your Septic Tank

Even though septic tanks may be difficult to find buried underground, you can easily locate your septic tank to perform regular maintenance.

#1 Visually Search for The Tank

Over the course of a few years, grass growing in your yard can easily conceal the location of the septic tank to the point the entire yard looks identical.

Start walking slowly around the yard and feel if there are any unexpected low or high spots that could be the indication of a drain field or tank.

Typically, a tank is placed between 10-25 feet from the house. Since most tanks will not be closer than 5 feet, you can start the visual search from there. Grass growing greener or healthier in one isolated area could be that the tank has leaked and is fertilizing that location.

#2 Perform A Records Search

One of the best ways to pinpoint exactly where the septic tank is on your property is to perform a records search.

If you still have a copy of your original home inspection, there may be an attached document called the “as-built.” This diagram will show exactly how far from the house the septic tank was installed. Even though landmarks on the property may have changed, measurements should still give you the ability to find the location.

If you do not have these documents, Paradise Town Hall or Butte County Environmental Health will have the permanent records.

#3 Use Septic Tank Risers

When the septic tank was originally installed in the ground, the company in charge may have included a septic tank riser so their technician can find the tank easily for inspections and maintenance. These risers are installed at ground level, allowing for easier access and less digging to find your tank lid. The septic tank riser is a plastic or concrete pipe that will run vertically from access points or pump-out openings to a few inches above the ground.

Once the tank is located, it is best to call in a septic tank company. Opening the tank yourself is potentially dangerous depending on the condition of the system. There are special tools needed for servicing the tank, and this process is always best left to the experts. Keep a record of the tank location for future reference, so you never have to conduct this search again.

We hope this will also help in locating tanks for those still needing mark outs done for debris clean up. If you need assistance with marking out your property, or its just time for an inspection contact us here or give us a call at 530-961-3171

Busting Septic Myths - One Household At A Time

Welcome to the Internet! The place where messages spread instantly, regardless of their validity. But, this was happening long before the internet by simple word of mouth. With the wealth of information available circulating, it’s hard to distinguish the facts from myths. This is why we’ve decided to set the record straight on just a few common ideas about septic tanks and systems.

Starting With a New Septic Systems Requires Seeding

What’s seeding? Exactly what it sounds like—helping your system and bacteria grow with “seeds” or in this case organic material. And we have heard of everything under the sun: flushing a pound of yeast, manure, worms and more.

This is a myth! Your septic system does not need your help to get started. Just use the system. Your human waste contains enough “seeding” abilities to get it started. Where the truth does shine a light is keeping your system healthy, especially if you tend to use lots of antibacterial or bleach products. This brings us to our next myth.

Additives Keep Old Systems Running Great

You’ve probably heard the claim…. Have an older system or a system that’s running less than efficient?  Just add some additives!

But septic additives working miracles is a myth. Well-balanced septic tanks do not require any help. Many commercially marketed septic products contain corrosive pesticides that will do harm to the bacterial colonies in your system, or turn out to be overpriced yeast (yes, like the stuff used to make bread). If you are having trouble with your system, add some helpful bacteria by putting yogurt, activated yeast, or even some beer down the drain. This is most helpful if your household uses lots of antibacterial and bleach based products —which you shouldn’t, but that’s for another post. These helper bacteria will only help keep a system healthy, so if you’re still having trouble it’s time to bring in a professional for an inspection, pumping, or possible repair.

Pump Your Septic Tank every 5-7 years

An average family can fill a septic tank to operating level in less than a week without altering regular water level use. It’s not needed to pump the septic tank just because it may be full or a certain age. Just let your healthy system do its work. In fact, as long as your tank is sized appropriately to your household and property maintained, your system will be breaking down and processing waste for many years.

However, if a septic tank is full of “sludge” (soil, bones, food particles, etc), solids or is consistently full of liquid that does not drain—it’s time to have your system inspected, pumped or possibly repaired.  You should always have your system inspected prior to scheduling a pumping. A good inspector should not need the tank pumped in most cases and will let you know if your system is healthy or needs to be pumped. There are a few instances when you should avoid pumping your tank, but we’ll talk about these on a future blog post.

Once Installed, Septic Tanks Take Care of Themselves

It’s true! With their biological processes and gravity flows, septic systems and tanks do all the work with little help from you. Being buried makes them easily forgettable. While you may not need to take direct actions, your habits will affect the overall health of your septic system.

You’ll Only Need One Septic System

Septic systems do not last a lifetime. On average, systems last 25-30 years with proper care and maintenance.

If you want longevity from your system, knowing the proper maintenance is priority number one. But, sometimes the water is muddied by septic myths.

Understanding which are true and which are nothing but old tales can be confusing. Have questions about some tips you’ve heard? Call Magneson Tractor Service today—we have your answers. Have a troubling myth you want us to get to the bottom of? Send us a message or leave a comment, and we’ll be happy to separate the poo from the fact!

Types of Septic Inspections

Maintenance and regular inspections (we recommend every 5-7 years) are crucial to owning an effective and efficient septic system.  Additionally, they give an accurate assessment of your system’s overall health and help target any repairs or upgrades your system might need.  Magneson Tractor Service offers thorough septic inspections covering all components and parts of your system.

Who Should Complete Septic Evaluations?

Only a licensed septic specialist should complete inspections, repairs, or replacements to your septic system. You can check to see if your contractor is certified with the Town of Paradise here, and check their Specialty C-42 or C-36 licence on the CSLB website.

Types of Septic System Inspections - Not every septic system inspection is the same.  Broken down into two general categories, they are either visual inspections or full inspections

                Visual Inspections

These are exactly what they sound like – a visual inspection of your septic system.  Typically, these are done by a home inspector.  Normally, they are not performed by a professional septic company, unless requested by the lender or savvy home buyers.

Visual inspections are quite simple.  They include tasks like:

• Running the water in the home

• Flushing the toilets

• A general walk-through and glance at the area of the yard containing the septic system.

If there are no backups, slow draining sinks, or water puddles in the absorption area – the system passes.  Pretty basic.  This is usually the service a home inspector will do when you are buying or selling a home. If you are looking into buying a home, it may be worth the money for a full inspection.  Visual inspections only tell you about the service, not the health of the tank or leach field.

               Full Inspections

Full inspections are the standard for professional septic companies.  You want a pro like Magneson Tractor Service to give your system a once-over before handing out a passing grade.  We want to know all of the nitty-gritty details.

Full inspections dive deep.  The septic tank is opened and examined.  Where is the water level?  Too full means its overloading, but too low means a possible leak.  Where is the sludge line?  Is it time to pump the tank?

Sometimes, the tank will be pumped down, checking for back flow from the leach field – an indication of a blockage or backup.  There are a few situations during an inspection when it is best to avoid septic tank pumping.  No aspect is overlooked with a full inspection.

Why Schedule a Septic System Inspection?

• Regular Maintenance - It’s that time, the time to inspect your system.  Whether you have a regimented schedule or you’ve forgotten until now; either way, it’s time to give your septic system a check-up.

• You Notice a Problem - Just had a pump-out less than a year ago, but your sink and toilets are draining slowly?  It’s time to schedule a septic tank inspection for backups or blockages.  Stop damaging the natural and crucial bacteria in your tank with harsh “fix-it” chemicals.  Let a septic professional find the problem and address it directly – the bacteria in your system will thank you.

• Upcoming Construction - Expanding or remodeling your home is an exciting project – but, make sure your septic is ready for it.  Can it handle the additional bathroom?  Can you add to that existing pipe, or is it on overload?  Also, where is the leach field and septic tank – so you don’t park or build on it?  These are all questions answerable after an inspection.

• Buying a New Home with a Septic System - Buying a new home is daunting – and expensive.  Save yourself from costly repairs a few years later by ordering a full inspection by a professional septic company.  While home inspectors perform visual inspections, they don’t cover everything and problems are easily missed.  Give yourself that peace of mind.

Our Septic Inspections

We pride ourselves on thorough septic system inspections for residential and commercial systems.  Magneson Tractor Service considers your entire system from pipes to tank, utilizing possible repair strategies to keep your system healthy and functioning.

We evaluate the following items during septic system inspections:

• Location, age, size, and original design

• Soil conditions, drainage, water table heights, and flooding potential of the surrounding area

• History of inspections and repairs when available

• The last time your septic tank was pumped

• Sludge levels in your tank.  If not recently pumped, these could potentially be high

• Check for back flow from the leach field into the tank.  This indicates potential backups or blockages in the absorption field.

• Absorption field condition.  Notably, we look for evidence of liquid waste reaching the soil surface, which leads to water contamination.  In addition, we inspect for signs of compaction and damage from too much weight on the field.

Ready to schedule an inspection?  Call Magneson Tractor Service at 530-961-3171 or contact us online.

What is a Septic System?

Poop goes where?

The heart of your septic system — septic tanks (or as my 3 year old says the Poo Tank), break down the waste from your home.  Most of the treatment takes place in the septic tank through naturally occurring organic processes, but the work doesn’t stop there.  Septic systems are a combination of pipes, a tank, bacteria and a leach field that work together to treat solid and liquid waste before releasing it safely into the ground. So…

How Does a Septic System Work?

Septic systems are underground wastewater treatment structures, commonly used in rural areas without centralized sewer systems. A typical septic system consists of a septic tank and a leach field.

The septic tank digests organic matter and separates float-able matter and solids from the wastewater. As the levels in the tank rise, the system discharges the liquid (known as effluent) from the septic tank into a series of perforated pipes buried in a leach field, chambers, or other special units designed to slowly release the effluent into the soil.

A standard septic system uses gravity to work its magic. Alternative systems need a little help and use pumps to help the septic tank effluent trickle through sand, organic matter (peat and sawdust), constructed wetlands, or other media to remove or neutralize pollutants like disease-causing pathogens, nitrogen, phosphorus, and other contaminants.

Proven technologies mix with nature and biological processes to remove the wastewater from your home or business before releasing the treated wastewater into the soil.  But the process only works if it has properly working components. That brings us to…

Photo Source: epa.gov

What Makes Up A Septic System?

There are two main components:

1. Septic Tank

2. Leach Field

1. Septic Tank

The septic tank is a watertight box, usually made of concrete or fiberglass, with an inlet and outlet pipe. Wastewater flows from the home to the septic tank through the inlet pipe. The septic tank treats the wastewater naturally by holding it in the tank long enough for solids and liquids to separate. The wastewater forms three layers inside the tank.

• Solids lighter than water (such as greases and oils) float to the top forming a layer of scum.

• Solids heavier than water settle at the bottom of the tank forming a layer of sludge.

• This leaves a middle layer of partially clarified wastewater.

The layers of sludge and scum remain in the septic tank where bacteria found naturally in the wastewater work to break the solids down. These bacteria are so efficient and resilient, healthy and happy bacteria decomposes up to 50% of the waste in septic tanks. The sludge and scum that cannot be broken down are retained in the tank until the tank is pumped. The layer of clarified liquid flows from the septic tank to the leach field or to a distribution device, which helps to uniformly distribute the wastewater in the leach field.

2. Leach Field

Every time new wastewater enters the septic tank, wastewater also exits the tank into the leach field.  The leach field is a shallow, covered excavated area at the exit of the septic tank.  It is important to note, unsaturated areas are the only suitable place for a leach field.

If the leach field becomes overloaded with an excess of wastewater or flooded with rainwater, the leach field can no longer effectively operate and treat wastewater.  Additionally, excess water causes effluent to flow to the ground surface, creating backups in the system.

Each state and local government requires different specifications when it comes to leach fields.  In Butte County, the Environmental Health department will dictate system size and type depending on property location and soil testing. Some areas will require minimum distances from water retention areas, water wells, and high water table locations. Your Septic contractor should work with local ordinances to ensure your property is in compliance with current regulations.

How Do You Take Care of Your Septic System?

Wondering how to take care of your septic system?  Maintenance and treating your septic system right with inspections, efficient water use, “do not flush” rules, and maintaining the area surrounding the leach field.

• Inspections and Pumping.  With natural processes easily interrupted, septic tanks are fragile, however with a healthy bacteria they can go many years without issue.  Have a professional inspect your septic system at least once every 5 to 7 years. There is no requirement on frequency of pumping, and if your system is healthy and appropriately sized, it may never need to be pumped.

• Follow “Do Not Flush Rules”.  Your toilet and garbage disposals are not trashcans – treat them accordingly.  Flush only toilet paper, avoiding “flushable” wipes.  Afraid of guests during the holidays messing up the system?  Put up some friendly reminders.

• Maintain the Leach Field.  Keep tree roots away from the leach field pipes.  Divert rainwater and runoff from saturating the area, and landscape with septic friendly plants.

• Avoid Strong Chemicals.  Start looking for alternative cleaning products and detergents while avoiding products containing chlorine bleach.

• Find A Septic Contractor and Inspector You Trust.  Having a professional whose opinion matters goes a long way.  They can help schedule maintenance and inspections while putting your mind at ease.

Septic systems are designed to function efficiently for the onsite treatment of wastewater as long as all the components are working correctly and together.  If your septic system isn’t working at its best call Magneson Tractor Service for an inspection at 530-961-3171 or send us a message.