How to keep roots away from cesspits

Most homeowners tend to use shrubs and flowers to complete the look of any yard. Although all homeowners go for a certain look for their property. They unfortunately don’t always have proper placement of certain plants. When planting your gardens or shrubs, keep in mind that each plants root systems are different. Some plants have shallow roots while others will go deeper and farther. If the shrubs or plants are too close to your septic line it could cause some major issues for your septic system. How do you keep roots away from cesspits?

Your septic system is a very intricate part to a home. Whether your system is a cesspit, leach field or even sand mound… Each one of these systems has one thing in common,  the pipes or lines in the ground from the house to these sections of your system. These pipes or lines are vulnerable to unstoppable power of plants roots. Those roots if left alone can cause havoc on those lines. They work there way into the lines causing blockage by twisting into a mesh. Unfortunately it makes it impossible for water or bio material to get to the desired location.

Think of you septic or cesspit as your personal wastewater treatment facility. It is responsible for making sure that your yard is safe from contaminants. Your septic system is a vital component in your property that needs to be well maintained. Like the conventional septic system, the cesspit has a tank. It is designed and built to accommodate the number of people that use your facilities. Making sure that the cesspit works efficiently means that you have to do the following tasks:

  • Avoid using harsh chemicals because these compounds kill the resident bacteria. The bacteria in your cesspit are the ones that degrade the solid waste materials. They are the microorganisms that efficiently treat wastewater that your household produces every single day. Opt for environment friendly products that do no harm to bacteria and the surrounding environment.
  • Remove heavy vehicles and structures over the cesspit because these bring forth soil compaction. Soil compaction destroys the components of cesspits. This damage results in leaks, backflows, overflows, and flooding.
  • Adhere to the pump out schedule arranged with your septic expert, or get on a maintenance program so that you can get rid of the sludge at the bottom of the cesspit. Once the sludge is eliminated, clogging and overflow are prevented.
  • Relocate the plants that are near or above your cesspit area. Some plants have invasive roots that penetrate the cesspit to gain access to water and nutrients. Plants are living organisms. They need sustenance to survive and their roots help them obtain what they need from your cesspit or lines. The roots get into cracks and gaps. Leaks and overflows result from this invasive activity. Generally, every arborist believes that trees and other plants should not be anywhere near the cesspit system. Trees like gum trees, elm trees, silver maple trees, cypress trees, poplars, birches, willows, and walnut trees should not be planted over or near your cesspit. The roots of these trees are very persistent in seeking out the richest, closes source of water and nutrients. If you really want trees in your property and your territory is large enough, you should plant trees at least 50 to 100 feet away from your cesspit. Roots grow differently according to the frequency of rainfall, location of the tree/plant, soil type, species, and water availability.Your cesspit has about 2 feet of soil above it. This makes it difficult for deep penetrating trees such as oak trees to establish access to the system. However, other trees and plants penetrate the cesspit through the perforated holes around the tank and through the gaps that they create as they explore the cesspit. Once the roots establish their attachment in your cesspit, they will grow continuously until they clog the normal flow of wastewater treatment. If the roots are not eliminated, the entire system will fail. A responsible homeowner like you should know how to keep roots away from your cesspit. You can do this by consulting your arborist and septic expert first before deciding to plant trees in your yard. If you have already acquired the property with trees near your cesspit, have the trees safely removed and replanted farther from your cesspit.Being prudent about your septic’s needs is valuable in caring for your property. If you consider the welfare or the trees and your cesspit, you will have a well-balanced ecosystem in your yard.