![]() My parents lived here and I grew up in the home. The home never previously had problem to my knowledge prior to the 5-year period house sat unoccupied. Bubbles "belch" through p-trap when water is run from fixture and runs into drain. There is no siphoning of water from p-traps. Gas is not as strong, but still very evident.įinally checked main bath on upper level (two basins on vanity) and smell is very faint. Later noticed this was happening in kitchen sink on main level of house. This is where the worst gas problem occurs. House was unoccupied for approximately 5 years to me moving in and renovating.įirst noticed very strong septic gas smell from lower level bath vanity (vessel bowl.) Happens only when water is run and gas immediately breaks or "belches" past p-trap seal. I've lived in house while renovating for about 2 years. ![]() So I guess having raised beds would keep anybody from driving around on it.Split level house in the country-approximately 30 years old That can crush and break things under ground you don't want crushed and broken. Or the utility company taking a shortcut. Then they drive a heavy truck over it - a cement truck for instance. One mistake people make with leach fields here is that they don't plant over them, then forget why it is the only open area in the back yard. They are usually shaped like a pillow, with half below grade and half above. If the soil isn't the right kind for septic systems (tight or heavy clay?) - they excavate the area and back-fill with soil that is better for a leach field (pea gravel? Silt?). Here in Colorado, we have something called "engineered" systems. But I am on sewer, don't have septic, and really think you should get some info from somebody who does know septic systems. Or cut off the air if it does need to breath. I was thinking the extra soil would add weight that would compact soil next to the leach field interfering with the existing movement of water & air. I remember something about a leach field being a balanced living ecosystem. If anyone else has better info on Landscaping/Gardening and Septic Systems, I'd like to hear it, too. I had trouble finding information on this subject when I looked into it a few years ago. Weeds fit this description, grass is the usual choice, bulbs are used sometimes. ![]() No woody plants, of course, - but with herbaceous plants, the recommendation was for plants that grow in wet weather and go dormant in dry weather - that way the plants help keep the leach field from getting over-saturated. I looked into what you can plant over a leach field several years ago. Also, I was under the impression that if something went wrong with the system, that replacing the tank is less expensive than replacing the field - so you don't want to mess up your field. I was under the impression that you could not change the grade over a correctly installed leach field - that you aren't supposed to raise it or lower it. 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. There are some safety concerns regarding bacterial contamination with planting over septic lines.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |