Covering Septic Tank Tops: Necessary Or Not?

Septic tank covers are an essential safety feature that prevents children and animals from falling into the tank. They also help identify the location of the tank for inspection and cleaning purposes. While some septic tank covers are designed to blend into the ground, others can be an eyesore. If you want to disguise your septic tank cover, it's important to do so carefully to avoid disrupting the function of your septic system. Here are some dos and don'ts to consider:

Don'ts:

- Plant trees within 25 feet of the drain field as their roots can tangle with and pierce the septic system.

- Cover the septic tank with grass as it requires regular maintenance and pump-outs.

- Use fencing near the drain field as the stakes can cause serious problems.

- Place heavy items such as large lawn ornaments or gazebos above or near the septic system as they can put pressure on it.

- Allow animals or pets near the septic system as they might dig too far and damage the system.

Dos:

- Use lightweight artificial landscape rocks that can be easily removed when access to the tank is required.

- Place a light statue, bird bath, or potted plant over the septic tank lid.

- Plant tall native grasses with fibrous roots around the opening to conceal the tank lid.

- Get creative with movable rock gardens, mosaic lid covers, or old wine barrels filled with flowers to disguise the area.

Safety: Ensure the cover is secure and durable to prevent anyone from falling into the tank, which is often fatal

Ensuring that the cover of your septic tank is secure and durable is of utmost importance, as someone falling into the tank can often be fatal. Here are some guidelines to enhance the safety of your septic tank:

• Secure and Heavy Covers: It is imperative to use a secure and durable septic tank cover to prevent anyone, especially children, from accidentally falling into the tank. Make sure the cover is heavy enough so that it cannot be easily moved or lifted by a child.
• Proper Installation: When installing a septic tank, ensure that the cover is properly installed and fits snugly. If there are any gaps or openings, they should be sealed before backfilling to prevent dirt and moisture from getting into the tank.
• Regular Maintenance: Regularly inspect and maintain your septic tank cover to ensure it remains in good condition. If you notice any cracks, deterioration, or instability, take immediate action to repair or replace the cover.
• Safety Precautions: Establish safety precautions and educate family members, especially children, about the dangers of septic tanks. Rope off the area around the septic tank to restrict access and prevent accidental falls.
• Vehicle Protection: If your septic tank is in an area where vehicles may drive over it, consider installing special heavy-duty rated covers. Consult a septic tank contractor for advice on vehicle-rated covers.
• Prompt Action: If there is any doubt about the condition of your septic tank cover, such as signs of subsidence or instability, take immediate action. Rope off the area and prevent anyone from walking over it to eliminate the risk of someone falling into the tank.
• Child-resistant Locks: If your septic tank cover is light enough for a child to remove, consider installing child-resistant locks or mechanisms to secure the cover. This can include adding U-bolts cemented into the cover to attach a locking bar.
• Compliance with Regulations: Familiarize yourself with local regulations and safety standards regarding septic tank covers. For example, in Alberta, Canada, regulations require all access openings to be equipped with a secure lid or cover to prevent accidental entry.
• Emergency Preparedness: Keep emergency contact information, such as the phone number of your local fire department or emergency services, easily accessible near the septic tank. In the unfortunate event of someone falling into the tank, immediate emergency response is crucial.
• Alternative Covers: If you cannot find a suitable concrete cover for your septic tank, consider alternative materials such as steel or polyethylene. Consult a septic installation contractor to discuss options that meet safety standards.
• Professional Assistance: If you have any doubts or concerns about the safety of your septic tank cover, don't hesitate to consult a professional septic tank contractor. They can provide expert advice and ensure that your septic tank cover meets all safety requirements.

Weight: Do not place heavy objects on the cover as it needs to be easily accessible for maintenance

The cover of your septic tank is not meant to bear heavy weights. The weight limit for septic tank covers is typically between 100 to 125 pounds. Even if your septic tank cover can support hundreds of pounds, it is not advisable to test its limits. Heavy objects can cause pressure on the septic system, and the cover must be easily accessible for maintenance and pumping.

Septic tank maintenance is crucial to ensure the system works efficiently and to prevent malfunctions. The average household septic system should be inspected at least once every three years by a professional. During these inspections, the septic service provider will check for leaks and examine the scum and sludge layers in the tank. Depending on the findings, the tank may need to be pumped out.

The frequency of pumping the septic tank depends on several factors, including the tank size, the number of people in the household, water usage, and the amount of solids in the tank. Generally, household septic tanks are pumped every three to five years.

It is important to keep maintenance records and track when the tank was last pumped and the sludge and scum levels found by the septic professional. This information will help determine when the tank needs to be pumped again.

In addition to regular maintenance, it is essential to properly dispose of waste and use water efficiently to ensure the optimal functioning of your septic system. Avoid flushing or pouring non-biodegradable items, such as grease, oil, wipes, household chemicals, or feminine hygiene products, down the drain or toilet. These items can clog the septic system and cause failures.

By following these guidelines and maintaining your septic tank and drainfield, you can ensure the proper functioning of your septic system and prevent costly repairs.

Accessibility: Install a riser to bring the access point up to the surface, making maintenance easier

Septic tank maintenance can be time-consuming and laborious, especially if you don't have access ports known as risers. To avoid having to dig through dirt every time you need to service your tank, you can install a riser to bring the access point up to the ground level. This will make maintenance much easier and less tiring.

The first step is to locate your septic tank by referring to the 'As-built' Record Drawing associated with your septic system. This document will show where your septic system was installed on your property and include distances from landmarks. If you don't have access to this record, you can contact your local Environmental Health department or a professional to help you locate your tank.

Once you've found your tank, start digging. Typically, septic tanks are about 6 feet wide by 8 feet long. Remove any dirt, rocks, or debris from the lid openings. You may have one large lid in the middle and a smaller lid on one or both ends. Expose all manholes, inlet, and outlet baffle covers. It is recommended to uncover the entire top of the tank to provide ample room to work.

The next step is to fit the risers to the component openings. Measure the diameter of the manhole cover. If the opening is between 26 and 29 inches, the riser will fit down into the tank opening. Add 3 inches to the distance from the ground to the top of the septic tank to determine the required riser height. If the opening is more than 29 inches, you'll need a 3-foot square fiberglass plate with a 22-inch hole in the centre to reduce the opening for a 24-inch riser.

Now, it's time to attach the risers to the septic tank. Clean off the top of the tank, removing all dirt and debris. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to assemble the riser components. Then, use a high-strength flexible concrete patch mix to attach the riser to the tank. Make sure to seal the riser completely to the tank, using products such as Jet-Set, Rapid-Set, Thorough-Set, or Perco-Plug. Finally, secure the riser lid with the provided screws to avoid any safety hazards.

By installing a riser, you'll no longer have to dig up your yard every time your septic tank needs servicing. This simple addition will make maintenance more accessible and less strenuous.

Aesthetics: Use a cover that blends into the ground or decorate it to make it more visually appealing

Septic tank covers can be an eyesore, but they are necessary. If you are looking to improve the aesthetics of your septic tank cover, there are a few things you can do.

Firstly, you could use a cover that blends into the ground. Septic tank risers and covers are an alternative to concrete and blend into green grass. You could also paint your septic tank lid the same colour as its surroundings to help it blend in.

If you would like to decorate your septic tank cover, there are a few options. You could place a lightweight statue, birdbath or potted plant over the septic lid. You could also create a mosaic design on the top of a concrete septic lid using small colourful tiles or stones. If you are feeling creative, you could cut an old wine barrel in half and fill it with flowers or turn it upside down for an alternative to a fake rock cover.

When decorating your septic tank cover, it is important to keep safety in mind. Do not place heavy items such as large lawn ornaments or gazebos above or near the septic system and drain field, as the weight can put pressure on your system. Also, be sure to keep trees at least 25 feet away from the drain field, as their roots can get tangled in and pierce the septic system.

Location: Keep a record of the tank's location to make it easier to find for maintenance or emergencies

Keeping a record of your septic tank's location is crucial for maintenance and emergencies. Here are four to six paragraphs on why this is important and how to do it:

Locating your septic tank is essential for regular maintenance and emergency repairs. Septic tanks require periodic inspections, cleaning, and pumping to function effectively and avoid system failures. Knowing the precise location of your tank will make these tasks more accessible and efficient. It is also a safety issue, as septic tanks can pose serious hazards if left uncovered or unsecured.

The first step in locating your septic tank is to check for a septic tank riser. A riser is a structure that extends from the septic tank opening to the ground's surface, making it easier to access the tank for maintenance. If you have a riser, the cover will be visible above the ground, making it easier to spot. If not, you may need to refer to records or diagrams of your property's septic system installation. These records are often kept by the county or may have been provided to you during a home inspection when purchasing the property.

If you don't have access to these records, you can try a few other methods to locate your septic tank. One approach is to follow the sewer line from your home into the yard. Go to your basement or crawl space and find the 4-inch sewer pipe where it exits the house. Then, go outside and mark that location. Use a thin metal probe to locate the sewer line and follow it across your yard by probing every 2 feet. The septic tank is typically located along this line, and you'll know you've found it when you feel the probe strike flat concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene.

Another method is to look for high or low spots in your yard, as these can indicate a buried tank. Most septic tanks are rectangular and measure around 5 feet by 8 feet. Once you've identified the general area, you can start digging to uncover the tank and its cover. It's important to work carefully and in pairs when dealing with septic tanks, as the fumes can be harmful.

Once you've located your septic tank, it's crucial to mark the spot clearly so you can find it again in the future. You can also consider installing a septic tank riser to make accessing the tank easier and less time-consuming. Remember to keep children and pets away from the area during the process, as open septic tanks pose a safety risk.

Frequently asked questions