In this blog post, our professionals from Septic Blue of Raleigh will be discussing 4 ways that trees can negatively impact your septic drain field and what you can do about it.

The Negatives

The first negative is that the roots of a tree can damage drain field pipes. The roots of trees and other plants can grow deep into the ground in search of moisture and nutrients. If they happen to come into contact with your septic drain field pipes, they can cause serious damage. The roots can grow around or even through the pipes, causing them to become blocked or even rupture. This can result in the need for a costly septic tank repair. To avoid this, when installing your septic system, steer clear of trees.

The second is prying open cracks. If you have trees with deep root systems located near your septic drain field, they can absorb a significant amount of water from the pipes. The way this happens is when there is a slight crack on your pipe, the tree can detect the water there. This causes the tree to go to the source of the water and make its way through. This can make it difficult for waste water to properly drain from your septic tank.

The third is creating blockages. When a tree’s roots sense a crack, they quickly grow inside the pipe to gather all the water they can. This can often create a blockage inside the pipe which won’t let your septic system work properly. The result of this can be a back-up in your pipes or the worst case, which is flooding in your home.