If you're moving to a rural area and don't have much experience with septic tanks, there are a few things to watch out for when it comes to waste management, landscaping or even going for a walk around your yard. Depending on how old the septic tank is and how it was installed, there may be some hazards that could lead to serious damage or mild inconveniences. Take the time to understand what it means to live with a septic tank attached to your home and how to manage the system better.

Wet Soil And Sinking Sands

Many septic tanks are buried underground. The waste pipes leave your home and enter the septic tank, which is buried in a mixture of soil, clay, sandy loam, sand and gravel. There are many more mixtures, such as adding pumice or other absorbent materials to the ground. As a result, the mixed ground can be softer than other parts of the yard.

The area tends to absorb moisture more and may dip to a lower elevation unless specifically shielded by a concrete block or similar protections. For many rural areas, the only way for the homeowner to detect the septic tank is looking for dark, moist, soft ground.

The problem with the area is that you can't do much with the yard while the septic tank is in place. Walking over it can be slippery and parking a car can result in tires sinking into the ground. Building on the area is absolutely out of the question, so if you want to do any kind of construction or heavy object management in the area, you'll need to remove the septic tank and replace the absorbent field with packed, local soil.

Septic tank removal is no small task, nor is replacing the soil. For both jobs, you'll need to consult professionals.

Septic Tank Replacement And Land Management

A septic tank contractor can either move the existing septic tank or install a new system. If the septic system is more than a few decades old, you may want to consider replacing it now before a leak occurs in the next few years, which can result in yet another digging contract.

To replace the soil, you'll need a soil and aggregate team to get the right type of soil in the area. Soil, compactors, grasses and other material may be necessary to create a sturdy, healthy lawn that can be used. Sand and gravel can be used as layers to add some temporary reinforcement as the soil hardens and grows vegetation, and you can even layer the top of the soil with gravel to make car parking safer.

Before trying to dig out your own soil and creating your own attempts at septic tank-area safety, contact a landscaping and aggregate team like McNabb Construction Ltd to review your property and to figure out what can be done.

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