Drain fields play a vital role in removing home waste and are an integral part of a septic system. Undoubtedly, it would stink if you did not have one (sorry, we had to). An excellent reason to install a drain field is to avoid unpleasant odors, but it isn’t the only reason. The septic system is also responsible for managing runoff on your property and protecting animals. As long as you properly maintain a drain field, it can last up to 50 years.
To further help you understand how the septic tank and drain field work, below you will find a quick guide.
What is a Drain Field?
A septic system drain field, also known as a leach field or absorption field, is crucial for effectively removing and managing sewage from the septic tank.
A perforated pipe runs from the tank to the soil two to four feet underground and is buried between two and four feet deep. The absence of a drain field would lead to issues with your septic, such as overflowing of septic tanks creating runoff in your yard and an unpleasant odor.
The soil in the drain field filters wastewater when everything is working well, and the bacteria and microbes in the soil break down the waste when everything is working properly. Just like any other part of the system, a septic system’s drain field requires care and maintenance regularly.
How Drain Field Works?
The importance of drain fields in treating sewage cannot be overstated. Solids in sewage can be removed from them through settling and bacterial digestion in the septic tank, leaving only the liquid waste behind. During this process, wastewater is pumped into perforated pipes buried deep below the surface. As the effluent travels through the pipes, it is dispersed over a larger surface area, slowly absorbing into the soil over time.
Drain fields are designed with a series of trenches arranged in a grid pattern. In these trenches, perforated pipes are buried in a bed of gravel below the surface of the earth, which allows the wastewater to be absorbed in a prescribed rate as it passes through. The soil filters out bacteria from underground water sources as the water is absorbed, which prevents bacteria from getting into the water sources.
Septic Tank Repair or Replace
When determining the best route to take to deal with your septic system, it can sometimes be difficult to determine the system’s state. Are you considering replacing your old septic tank with a new one? Or should you get your septic tank repaired? There is no doubt that many septic tank owners will come up against this dilemma at some point in their lives.
Septic Repair
Most sewer odors and drainage problems can usually be solved with a simple repair job that you can do yourself. Most of the time, a septic tank repair job will require fixing a broken or malfunctioning pipe, the adjustment of the pipe, or the replacement of a component. Even more common than septic tank pumping, however, is the need for septic tank cleaning. It’s best to treat this like any other plumbing repair. You should always keep an eye on your septic tank, even after a repair. Septic tanks can experience several small problems before they develop into larger ones near their end of life.
Septic Replacement
Be prepared to replace your septic tank if facing a total septic failure or major Septic Problems. The best way to avoid these issues as long as possible is to maintain regular service and clean your equipment. Nonetheless, your septic tank will end its useful life at some point in the future. Make sure you know when the septic system was installed to decide if you need to replace it at some point in the future.
What Are The Common Drain Field Issues and Solutions?
There is a good chance you will not notice your drain field if it is properly functioning. A problem with the drain field is likely to occur if you notice a foul odor, a wet or soggy area over the drain field, problems with slow drains, overflowing toilets, or sewage backups.
The problem will likely need to be investigated by a professional for Drain Field Repair, even if you are particularly handy and knowledgeable about the subject. Investigating drain field and septic tank problems usually involves specialized tools and equipment that are not readily available to most people.
The following factors most commonly cause drain field failure:
Age of drain fields
Drain fields are intended to last up to 50 years with proper maintenance, but they are unlikely to last much longer. It might be wise to start budgeting for a drain field replacement or Drain field restoration if you’re experiencing symptoms of drain field failure.
Clogged piping
Although designed to last, your drain field pipes can be damaged by various factors that reduce the system’s effectiveness.
A pipe can be slowly compressed and crushed if heavy equipment has been parked over it or structures have been constructed over it. In the same way, if the pipes become blocked by tree roots or something flushed that shouldn’t have been flushed, they could become ineffective and cause drain field failures.
Overflowing Tank
The capacity of a typical septic system should be sufficient to handle the typical wastewater load, but it can become overloaded if the system receives more than is typical. Depending on the septic tank, this can be as straightforward as running the washing machine and dishwasher while someone showers.
Drain Field Repair Using Terralift, Hydro Jetting, And Other Methods
Your drain field will be rejuvenated when it is discovered that it isn’t functioning properly. An experienced drain field rehabilitation service will use troubleshooting methods that result in success. Once they locate your drain field, we will determine the best course of action and start rehabilitating it.
Hydro Jetting
Your septic tank’s field lines can be unblocked with jetting when they become clogged. There is a process in which a powerful blast of water is used to clear the pipes of debris accumulated over time. Cleaning clogged lines and sludge-coated lines with jetting is an effective way to remove clogs.
Terralift
Using this technology, an integral pneumatic hammer is attached to a long, narrow probe that can penetrate soil deeper than 3 feet. Once the air has been forced into the soil using a high-pressure compressor, the air is injected into the soil. The cracks created by this process help to blast apart any bio-mat built up on the walls of trenches and loosen dirt and debris accumulating in the drain fields. The procedure is repeated every four feet until the job has been completed.
Installing Clean-Outs and Vent
Clogs and flooding can be prevented through the installation of clean-outs and vents. This is just one of the many built-in monitoring mechanisms that ensure everything is operating.
The Best Way to Maintain a Healthy Drain Field
- Don’t allow heavy equipment, automobiles, RVs, boats, grazing animals, or outbuildings to occupy the area above your drain field.
- Trees and vegetation should not be planted over drain fields; roots can damage them.
- You should ensure that all gutter downspouts drain away from the drain field.
- Septic tanks need to be pumped twice or three times a year. Clogged pipes are caused by solids carried into the drain field without periodic pumping.
- Except for what comes out of your body, toilet paper is the only thing that should be flushed down the toilet. Other solids should not be flushed. Ensure you don’t pour fat, oil, or grease down the drain.
- Don’t overload the septic system by doing laundry and dishwashing too often.
Conclusion
Crews Environmental is an experienced Septic System Service. The team specializes in rejuvenating failed drain field systems to prevent the need for complete replacements. Since our specialists have been dedicated to drain field restoration for years, they have what it takes to troubleshoot the issue and devise a solution.
In terms of getting your drain field back up and running like new again, we are 100% dedicated to making that happen.
Our team at Crews Environmental is confident that we can solve any problem you may have with your system. Every situation is different, so we work hard to complete the job correctly and to our standard of excellence.
