Building A Deck Over A Drain Field

If you have a septic system and want to add a deck to your house or build a shed in your backyard you should consider the consequences carefully.

Building a deck over a drain field.

Here are three things to know in advance. If constructing over field lines it is imperative that no foundation is dug. If you have a deck or patio with no access to the tank you may have to rip out the structure wasting all the money spent to build it. The biggest issue that can arise from construction near a drain field is the damage caused by heavy construction equipment.

The lack of regular pumping of your tank will be a costly mistake which can also affect you again when you sell. Building a permanent structure over the tank or drain field is usually a bad idea. With structures such as decks. Can you build a deck over a septic field.

Building over field lines. However if a permanent structure is built over a drainfield it can restrict the oxygen flow into the soil and restrict the evapotranspiration process. You may run into expensive problems a few years down the road. A big risk to building over the drainfield is causing the lines to collapse.

Because of the moisture levels and the need for free air movement no permanent structures. Also the soil can compact around the trenches which may not allow for percolation. Most zoning ordinances will require that you maintain at least a 5 setback from an underground septic system.