Sewer holes and their covers can be aesthetically horrible! Especially when they stick out like a sore thumb in a yard or garden.
On top of that if you don’t know how to hide sewer cover in the yard, then it will make things more difficult.
Unfortunately, they are a necessity for some people. Some home waste systems run into pits where the waste can be moved on through another series of pipes or sucked out manually.
A few common issues that open sewer holes can cause are soil erosion, fall hazards, disease, attracting insects and other pests and, of course, a horrid stench! You can use some simple methods to cover and hide them so they become less of a hazard and make them look a little easier on the eye.
Read and follow along as we have put together some great tips via extensive research to help you learn how to hide sewer cover in the yard easily!
Let’s dive in, shall we? (Excuse the pun)
Table of Contents
How to Hide Sewer Cover in the Yard (10 Different Ways Explained)
Sewer holes can disturb the aesthetics of a beautiful garden or yard. You can hide a sewer cover in a heap of different ways. As long as you get the all-clear from your local council, it’s as simple as letting your imagination take control.
If creation isn’t your strongest skill set, don’t be afraid to check out either Pinterest, Youtube or Instructables for inspiration. These 3 outlets alone have some talented people adding step-by-step guides daily, so start there! Here are some cool ways to improve the overall look of your garden or yard by sprucing up your sewer cover.
Using plants
You can never go wrong with adding some extra greenery. Either strategically place a few potted plants on the cover or even plant some around the edges with the aim of them eventually growing over the top of it.
Additionally, don’t just stop at plants and/or flowers; why not grow a lawn over the top and allow it to grow onto the cover? This way, the whole area will still function as normal and blend seamlessly.
Add mosaic Art
You usually want to hide your sewer cover but adding some mosaic art can be an amazing way to give it a breath of life. The amount of work required will all depend on the look of the whole area.
The sewer cover may be closer to your house, and you could tile the same colors to match. Bring out the artist in yourself. There are millions of awesome designs out there to be discovered. Make a bit of a plan and get to work!
Using Garden Gnomes
I’ve seen heaps of cool stuff that can be used to cover sewer holes, but garden gnomes can add another dimension. A close friend of mine has 2 gnomes facing each other on either side of the sewer. They both have fishing rods and are strategically placed, so they look like they are competing in a fishing competition.
I’ve also seen one idea where someone cut off the gnome’s bottom half and stuck the top half to the top side of the cover. This makes it look like the gnome is stuck. Cool!
Cover with Birdbath
Bird baths are great because they can be moved around. Many other ideas are more permanent, which could cause issues if someone needs access to the hole. There are so many shapes and sizes of bird baths out there. You could effectively turn a place of human waste into a beautiful bird sanctuary.
Opt for a small pond
Now we’re talking! Small pond ideas are crazy fun and can be fully customized. You could build a moat around the sewer cover and have a feature in the middle. You could also just build straight over it, hiding the cover altogether.
Using fake rocks
Fake rocks aren’t as creative as some other ideas but can do the job just fine. The beauty of using fake rocks alone is that they are cheap and easily available. It may also be that your yard or garden would look atrocious with anything else. Different strokes for different folks!
Firepit
Ah, the magic of a firepit! Fire Pits are amazing additions to any garden, let alone covering up an unsightly sewer hole. They add warmth, aesthetics, and a central focal point for guests and can also double up as a bbq grill.
Just make sure that the sewer cover is sealed if you plan to use the fire pit as a method for cooking food. I can’t imagine the toxins and fumes coming from them.
Purchase modern drain cover
Drains have been installed and used for as long as time has been recorded. Gone are the days when rusty old covers were the only available types that could be purchased. There are many different shapes, sizes and materials these days that can not only ‘just fit’ but also lift the whole look of your area just by adding one.
From stainless steel to iron and press prints in many different styles, there is something out there to suit your garden or yard!
Painting
Another one for the creator is to use paint. Paint is extremely cheap and accessible. You could give your kids a craft task to complete on their school holidays or even spend the time yourself designing your own Picasso artwork.
You may even have a rusty old cover that needs some scrubbing and cleaning. Simply adding a coat or 2 of iron sealant can improve its aesthetics.
Use a Wooden Box
Wooden boxes are an interesting prop. You can either use them as a planter box or storage for something else, such as toys or garden equipment. You may even go wild and crazy and transform the wooden box into a theme prop.
Deck your garden as a scene from your favorite pirate movie, and use the box as a treasure chest. Or even as an ammo storage prop in a military-style setup.
Honestly, I’m flicking through Pinterest as we speak and stumbling upon some extremely amazing ideas to help improve the look of a sewer cover. Your garden or yard doesn’t have to look like it’s covering $#!T! Get out there and crank the creative juices up!
That’s it. Hopefully now you know how to hide sewer cover in the yard.
Frequently Asked Questions (fAQs)
Is it illegal to cover a drain cover?
Covering a drain cover can be illegal. Not in all cases, though. It’s definitely in your best interest to get in touch with your local council and any utility companies and check the rules regarding this issue. More often than not, they will approve it, but they also need to note it down within their records, so they understand how to access it if or when it is required, even if the cover is on your land.
What are decorative drain covers for patios?
Drains or drainage points are areas where water can exit into a drainage system and minimize pooling. The drain covers, whether they are decorative or not, are the part of the drain that hides the unsightly drain work underneath. Depending on the person using them, they can make patios look aesthetically pleasing with simple, plain patterns or more decorative designs.
Conclusion:
Sewer covers can look nasty if they are poorly maintained or unable to hide. Covering them with simple or creative measures can improve the look of a garden and/or yard. From adding mosaic art to painting to birdbaths and fire pits, the only limit is your imagination.