Raised mound system is a type of septic system that caters to soil that filters too slowly or has a high water table. Not all households have this type of septic system. If you have one, then you need to give it extra care. A regular septic system is for soil that has a normal filtration rate. This means that the septic system can be installed deep under the soil. If the soil doesn’t perk efficiently, then a raised mound system may be used to facilitate better filtration. That is why raised mound systems were made. They are literally above the ground, only covered with a thin layer of soil and grass. Most people don’t find raised mound systems pleasing to the eye especially when they have landscaping done on their property. It is a mound so it can easily be an obstacle to any design. Usually, you have to talk to your landscaping architect and septic expert before you have your raised mound installed. If you bought the house with a raised mound already there, you should talk to your landscape architect to make sure the root systems wont interfere with the mound drainage. If there is a possibility of roots invading, don’t worry. There are chemicals used to keep roots away from raised mound systems.
Many homeowners veer away from raised mound systems because they have the impression that it is more sensitive and more costly to maintain. In a way, you have to pay more attention to it than a regular septic system. However, it essentially has a septic tank and an absorption field that serve the same purposes. The septic tank is the area where the raw wastewater is collected and treated by the anaerobic bacteria. The bacteria break down the solid waste particles so that the clear effluent could smoothly flow into the different filters built into the raised mound system. The filters help remove any organic particles left by the bacteria. When the effluent reaches the soil absorption field, the aerobic bacteria and the bio-mat further treat and purify the effluent before it is finally returned to the surrounding environment. Since the raised mound system is positioned above the ground, it is exposed to the elements.
You have to make sure that the construction fabric that lines it is always intact. This fabric keeps the heat inside the mound to help the resident bacteria maintain their high metabolism so that they could break down the solid waste materials much faster. The construction fabric should be replaced before winter comes because if it is damaged in any way, heat will not be retained inside the system and it will freeze over. This will result to a winter filled with raised mound problems for your household. There may be a chance that you won’t be able to reside in your home for the winter if the raised mound system fails.
Regular pump outs also need to be performed on your raised mound system. The sludge has to be eliminated to give room for the effluent treatment and to make sure that the absorption field is not clogged. If the field gets clogged, this may lead to raised mound failure if not corrected on time. Another important consideration is to avoid pouring harsh chemicals and non-biodegradable materials into your toilet or drains. This practice destroys the resident bacteria that take care of breaking down the solid organic materials in the wastewater. If there are no bacteria, there will be no wastewater treatment at all and very little guard against septic tank odors.
Invasive roots should also be removed and kept away from the raised mound system. Many homeowners have plants and trees near their raised mound systems. As you know, roots endlessly search for sources of abundant water and nutrients. The raised mound is a perfect resource for them to tap. However, these roots block the normal flow of wastewater treatment so they have to be removed. The chemicals used to keep roots away from raised mound systems are called root killers. You don’t have to buy those that affect the environment. There are eco-friendly ones available in the market now. These products are very helpful in keeping away invasive roots. With a treatment once or twice a year, your raised mound will definitely be kept safe from hardwood root damage.