Mason's Professional Septic Service

06/03/2026

Can You Have a Pool and a Septic System?

When adding a pool to your home, you have two options: above ground and in-ground.

Above Ground Pools and Septic Systems

An above-ground pool is a more accessible addition as it doesn’t take a massive construction project and is less intrusive. With an above-ground pool, there are a few essential considerations to keep your septic system safe:

Put the pool away from the septic system, keeping it away from the tank and the drain field. The weight of the filled pool can damage the below-ground septic system.
When leveling the ground, avoid digging near the septic tank or pipes.
Never drain the pool near the drain field. Extra water or a flooded yard can disrupt the natural filtration process of the drain field, leaving contaminated water in your yard.
Above-ground pools are great options for those on a budget or who lack the yard space to handle an in-ground pool.

In-Ground Pools and Septic Systems

Adding an in-ground pool can be an exciting project, a pool is a refreshing home addition. But, it’s a big undertaking with a few things to consider if you’re also a septic owner.

Based on your county code, in-ground pools require minimum distances from septic systems, usually around 20ft. Before breaking ground, check with your contractor, septic technician, and local county office that your plans are within code and that you have the required permits.

And the considerations don’t stop there. When the construction starts, make sure all elements of your septic system are mapped out above ground. The heavy equipment and digging can easily damage your septic system, so you’ll want to make sure it’s clear where people and equipment shouldn’t be. If you’re unsure where your septic system is located, reach out to Mason's Professional Septic Service for assistance.

Once up and running, you’ll want to keep your pool pump in a different area than your septic pump and system. The noise of your pool pump can drown out warning noises that you’d otherwise notice within your septic system. Additionally, you’ll want to keep the areas surrounding your septic tank uncluttered to make it easy for your scheduled pump-outs!

05/27/2026

What do pet hair, cat litter, dog shampoo and digging have in common? None of them mix with septic systems. But, that doesn’t mean pets and septic systems don’t mix — it just means you have to be aware.

Digging
Not just annoying because it destroys your lawn and well-thought out flower bed.

Digging can hurt your septic system and your dog.

If they dig too deep, they can easily access your drainfield. While harder to damage the pipes, they can mess with the soil and gravity-driven system of letting the waste back into the water table.

Not only does this disrupt your septic systems ability to process waste successfully, but it also exposes your dog to waste before fully treated. While dogs are renown for handling (and eating) waste, this is a bit too much.

So, how do you stop the digging?

If you are unable to train your dog to stop digging, considering putting up a fence around your septic system and drainfield to keep your dog away. Or placing mesh over the area to prevent them.

Pet Shampoo & Bathing
While good enough and sensitive enough for your pets, it may not be suitable for your septic system.

Chemicals and harsh cleaners have no place in your septic tank. Including some pet shampoos. So, what should you do? After all, no one likes a smelly pet.

Look for pet shampoos that are septic-safe and chemical-free. This may be especially difficult when using tick and flea shampoos as they contain specific chemicals to rid your pets of bugs. In that instance, an outside wash is your best bet — away from the drainfield.

Pet Hair
Like human hair, pet hair can quickly clog up a system, wreaking havoc and causing back-ups (which then leak into your yard, which further endangers your family pet).

This means using a hair stopper or drain strainer when giving your dog their monthly bath. Additionally, it means no flushing hair down the drain. Use your trash can instead.

Cat Litter
It’s easy to see why people started flushing cat waste down the drain, after all, your septic system processes waste.

But, cat waste is a different animal.

After sitting in cat litter, cat p**p petrifies. Becoming solid, cement-like as it works it’s way through your septic system, the bacteria in your septic tank will be hard-pressed to break down.

Additionally, cat waste contains bacteria that your system has not met yet, further disrupting the delicate balance of the required bacteria in your septic tank.

And, never flush cat litter. Think about what would happen if you flushed sand down your pipes. It would sit there accumulating, eventually to the point of needing an early pump-out.

Like flushable wipes, beware of flushable cat litter. Remember, your septic system is designed to handle and process human waste — nothing else.

Pets and septic systems don’t have to be an issue. All it takes is some knowledge and rules, and they get along great.

05/23/2026

05/06/2026

LANDSCAPING AND LAWN CARE AROUND YOUR SEPTIC SYSTEM:

While some homeowners may be rightfully cautious about planting anything around their septic systems, grass planted over a septic drainfield can actually be quite beneficial when certain precautions are taken. Grass will prevent soil erosion, helping ensure your property’s drainage grading is maintained, and will help regulate soil moisture levels, both of which limit the strain on your drainfield. By directly oxygenating the soil and creating a root system that prevents the soil from becoming compacted, grass will also improve the exchange of oxygen, which feeds the microbes working to cleanse the effluent filtering through your system.

As with the landscaping planted around your system, there are some guidelines for planting and maintaining grass planted over your drainfield. First, select a low-maintenance grass species that is well-adapted for the climate in which you live. Doing so will reduce the need for excessive watering or fertilization, both of which can negatively impact your drainfield’s functionality. Second, you’ll want to limit fertilization and irrigation over the drainfield as much as you can. In fact, we recommend any irrigation system in your yard does not spray within 10 feet of your septic system. And finally, when planting grass (or any other shallow-rooted herbaceous plants), avoid adding excessive top soil or mulch. Doing so will interfere with the moisture levels of your drainfield.

The grass above your drainfield may clue you in to what’s happening below ground. If you notice the grass becoming suddenly lusher than the surrounding area, it may indicate a leak in your system. Similarly, a sudden patch of burnt grass may indicate a problem lurking below. If you notice either of these, you’ll want to give us a call so we can diagnose the potential problem.

04/29/2026

Can you Drive a Riding Lawn Mower on a Septic Drain Field?

Do not drive over your septic tank’s drain field with a riding lawn mower or any heavy lawn equipment. Leave this job to a push-behind mower. Your drain field contains buried pipes that carry waste water out into the soil. If you damage these pipes, an uncontrolled amount of waste water will enter the environment, polluting the ground. Worse yet, too much weight on top of the septic tank could cause the whole system to collapse.

04/15/2026

We understand the appeal of transforming the lawn above your drainfield into a lush garden, but unfortunately, growing food over the drainfield is never a good idea for a handful of reasons. While a properly functioning septic system won’t necessarily contaminate the crops grown above the drainfield, there is no way to guarantee the soil (and your garden) is not contaminated. Unfortunately, with septic systems—even properly maintained septic systems—you don’t know there’s a problem until you know there’s a problem. Something breaks or malfunctions, and you don’t really notice until wastewater is backing up into your house or the drainfield is saturated with effluent. You don’t want illness from eating contaminated produce to be your signal that your septic system isn’t functioning correctly.

In addition to the potential contamination from pathogens, crops grown above your drainfield may also be exposed to household chemicals that are still present in effluent before it filters through the drainfield. Many of these are not safe for your septic system, let alone safe for human consumption.

04/13/2026

What a nice a**....I mean review!! Thanks Carol!! 😄