


Heavy equipment, including passenger vehicles, moving over a septic system can compress the earth below enough to damage pipes and tanks.

If any debris is not fully broken down, the sludge can build up inside the pipe between the house and septic tank creating blockages, or sludge can accumulate more quickly in the tank itself requiring more frequent pumping. Homes with septic systems should not use a garbage disposal. Stick to grasses and shallow-rooted perennials. When building your outdoor landscape, be vigilant about the location of your septic tank and avoid planting trees or large shrubs nearby. As more and more wastewater flows through the pipe, the obstruction grows, limiting or cutting off water flow. The roots grow inside the pipe causing obstructions that debris gets caught on. Older clay pipes connecting the house to the septic tank may experience root intrusion at the connection points or at a pipe joint. Tree roots can penetrate septic tanks and septic tank drain field pipes. Below are the top six causes of septic tank blockages: The symptoms are similar to those of a blocked sewer line. If you’ve experienced a drain clog in your home that seemingly can’t be remedied, a septic system backup might be a culprit.
