Say Goodbye To The Eyesore Of Septic Tank Pipes With A Stylish DIY Solution

Do your septic tank pipes or cover stick out like a sore thumb in your yard? It doesn't have to be that way. Rather than putting up with it, there are quite a few clever ways to hide an unsightly septic tank, such as growing ornamental grass or covering it up with an old wine barrel. Another stylish solution? Concealing the septic tank with a DIY rock garden.

If you aren't familiar with rock gardens, we'll give you a quick rundown. According to Angi, they're "intentional rock arrangements" intended to look like natural formations. They can consist of anything from pebbles to boulders, depending on your design preferences. In some cases, they even include plants. For example, check out these beautiful rock garden ideas to get inspiration for your yard.

So why consider a DIY rock garden to disguise your septic tank? For starters, they're an attractive garden feature that can add a calming, zen-like vibe to your outdoor space. But beyond that, they don't require a ton of regular maintenance (other than weeding and clearing debris), so you won't be committing to a lot of new yard work if you add one.

One of the first things you should do when designing a rock garden is to sketch a layout. Start by marking the locations of your septic equipment, then jot down the types of rocks and plants you want, as well as where they'll go in your yard. This will help you understand how many supplies you actually need, instead of purchasing unnecessarily expensive equipment or too many rocks. 

To conceal the septic tank cover, we suggest using a fake rock, like Emsco's Sandstone Large Resin Landscape Rock, available at Home Depot for $51.56. Even though they're artificial, these kinds of products are meant to blend in with nature, so they look much nicer than exposed equipment. Plus, they're lightweight, so you can easily move them if you need to access the septic system. Even better? Since these rocks mark the location of your tank, they can help a technician quickly find yours before working on it. For the rest of your rock garden, you could use a combination of smaller stones and plants. Lightweight decor — like a small bird bath — could work, too.

With all of that in mind, there are certain things to avoid when planning a rock garden as well. First, you should never put anything heavy (like large rocks or boulders) directly on top of your septic system because the weight could damage it. Similarly, tree roots can interfere with your tank, so make sure not to plant any in that area. Finally, while it may be tempting to grow herbs or a vegetable garden, that's another no-no. If you do, the septic waste could contaminate the food.