Guide · Home care

Septic Drainfield Care

A plain, friendly guide to the patch of yard that cleans the water from a septic tank: what it does, how to keep weight and water off it, and the signs to report.

Start the checklist

Where to start

Moving in or expecting a delivery?
Ask the owner where trucks should park. See keep weight off the drainfield.
Soggy spots or a sewage smell in the yard?
Keep children and pets away and report it. See signs to watch for.
New to a home with septic?
Find out where the tank and drainfield are, then tick through the checklist.

The short version

If your home has a septic system, part of it lives right under the lawn. That stretch of grass takes the water that leaves the septic tank and lets the soil clean it, slowly and naturally.

After water settles in the tank, it flows out into buried pipes or chambers. Small holes let it seep into the soil, and tiny living things in the soil help clean it before it reaches the groundwater.

That only works when the soil stays loose, open to the air and not soaked. Heavy weight, hard surfaces and too much water are some of the things that can hurt a drainfield.

Most of what keeps a drainfield healthy is simply knowing where it is and treating that ground gently.

Who does what

Every home and lease is a little different, so these are examples. When you are not sure, ask first.

Residents can often

Knowing where the tank and drainfield are
Keeping cars, trailers and heavy storage off it
Asking before adding a garden bed, play set or small pool
Spreading laundry across the week and reporting leaks early
Reporting soggy spots, smells and slow drains right away

Leave to the owner or a pro

Anything below the surface, always
Pointing downspouts, sump pump and drain lines away from the drainfield
Deciding what can be built or planted nearby
Any digging, probing or opening of a cover in the yard

Keep weight off the drainfield

Never park or drive on the drainfield, even for a day. Cars, trucks, trailers, campers and heavy equipment can crush the pipes and pack the soil so tight that water can no longer soak in.
Ask the owner where moving trucks, delivery trucks and guests should park.
Keep play equipment, firewood piles and heavy storage off that area.
Mow normally with a regular mower, and skip heavy riding equipment if the owner asks.

Grass, air and water

A simple cover of grass is usually best. Its shallow roots hold the soil in place and help soak up extra water.
Plant trees and large shrubs well away from the drainfield so roots stay out of the pipes. Your local health department or a septic pro can tell you how far for your home.
Vegetable gardens are generally not recommended over a drainfield.
Sheds, patios, driveways, sport courts and pools cover the ground and make repairs much harder. Those choices belong to the owner. The EPA says not to build anything on a drainfield without first checking with a local septic designer or the local permitting office.
Rain from the roof, sump pump water and runoff from a slope can soak the ground and leave no room for the water from the home. Pointing those away is an owner job.

Try it

Your drainfield checklist

From the guide’s own checklist. Tick each one as you go. These are examples; your home may need others.

0 of 6

Know where the septic tank and drainfield are
No parking, driving or heavy loads on the drainfield
Nothing built or added over it without the owner's okay
Grass over the drainfield, with trees kept well away
Laundry spread through the week, and leaks reported early
Soggy spots, smells and slow drains reported right away

Signs to watch for and report

Here are some common examples. This is not a complete list.

Soggy or spongy spots in the yard when it has not rained.
Sewage smells outside, especially near the tank or drainfield.
Stripes or patches of grass that are much greener than the rest.
Slow drains or gurgling in the home.
Water backing up into the lowest drain in the home.

Please report any of these right away, with a photo if you can. Keep children and pets away from wet spots. Never dig, probe or open any cover in the yard. If sewage backs up into the home, stop using water and call the owner's emergency line.

An everyday example

A family moving into a country rental called the owner the day before to ask where the moving truck should go. The owner had already staked the edges of the drainfield and pointed them to the gravel pad by the garage. The driver parked there, the movers carried everything the long way around, and the drainfield never felt a single tire. It took one phone call and a handful of stakes.

Test yourself

How much do you remember?

4 quick questions from this guide, with a one line why for each. Totally optional, no sign in, and your answers are never saved.

From The Perfect Series

Go deeper with The Perfect Country Rental

A septic system is one of several things that make a country home different from a home in town. The Perfect Country Rental walks through wells, septic systems, fuel deliveries, power outages, winter roads and the distance to help, with worksheets for who does what.

See The Perfect Series

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From the Bunklow shop

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Bunklow Home Guide 104: Septic Soil Absorption Drainfield Surface Protection and Load ExclusionA printable guide to septic soil absorption drainfield surface protection and load exclusion, in plain steps.
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This guide shares general educational information to help you, and is not legal advice or a substitute for a licensed professional. Bunklow does not inspect, repair or service septic systems. Septic rules differ from state to state and county to county, so please check the rules where your home is, follow the guidance of your local health department, and get local help from a licensed septic professional for any work on the system.