Though your septic system is hidden underground, it doesn’t mean you can forget about where it is. Every property owner should know the location of their septic tank or cesspool, so they can take care to leave it uncovered. See the guide below from tank and cesspool pumping experts to know how to care for these sewage systems.

What to Know About Your Septic Tank or Cesspool

Why You Shouldn’t Cover Them

Cesspool pumping and septic tank installation experts suggest that you never install anything over a buried tank or drive over the area. These systems are not designed to withstand the weight of heavy vehicles, equipment, or buildings. Too much weight can cause some costly damage to the system, including crushing or blocking the plumbing. If vehicles or equipment are driven over the area, the entire system can collapse and you’ll end up with a vehicle inside your tank. Even large grazing livestock can be heavy enough to cause damage.

How to Protect Them

The best thing to install over your septic tank or cesspool is grass. This is especially favorable for septic tanks since grass will pull oxygen down into the soil, benefitting the bacteria inside the tank. Avoid planting any shrubs or trees in the vicinity. Trees’ roots will usually grow as deep underground as the branches are expected to grow in height — use this standard as a guide and plant any trees an appropriate distance away.

If your tank is in an area where someone may drive over it or livestock may wander on top of it, put some fencing around it to keep them away. When you bring in professionals for tank or cesspool pumping, tell them where the system is located so they can keep their equipment safely away from it as they do their work.

For more than 30 years, Chris Mote’s Pumping Service has been the team residents and in Gainesville and Cleveland, OH, have turned to for their septic pumping needs. The locally owned and operated business is dedicated to providing top-notch services at fair prices. Whether you need cesspool pumping services, field line repair, or a new system installation, they’ll get their work done quickly so you’ll experience minimal downtime. Contact them online or call (770) 530-2034 to schedule a pumping service today.