How to Avoid a Thick Biomat on Your Drain Field

October 28th, 2019 Posted in Drain Field
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Drain fields can work efficiently for years with a well-maintained septic system. Waste water or effluent from the septic tank is slowly delivered to the drain field, filtering down through the soil to the ground water below. As long as the septic tank is performing correctly and the soil is the right consistency, the only organic material growing on top of a drain field should be grass. When a thick biomat appears, it is a sign of trouble with your septic system.

What is a Biomat?

Bacteria are needed to help breakdown waste, both in the septic tank and in the drain field. A biomat is a formation of anaerobic bacteria, the type of bacteria that do not need oxygen to survive. This slimy layer can build up in the trenches of a drain field. The bacteria in the biomat can feed off debris in the water, helping break it down further as it filters into the soil. Aerobic bacteria also are in the drain field, which feed on the biomat and keep it from getting too thick.

If a biomat gets too thick, it can cause problems. Waste water can get trapped above ground and the filtering system suffers. This can occur if there is too much water in the drain field for the aerobic bacteria to survive. It can also happen when the waste water coming from the septic tank has too much solid waste. To avoid a thick biomat, proper maintenance is needed, including:

  • Avoiding putting too much water through the septic system
  • Keeping grease and fat out of the drains
  • Keep food out of your drains – do not use a garbage disposal
  • Get your septic tank pumped when needed

If you have a thick biomat on your drain field, you need to address it before it causes a septic backup. Contact your local septic service for an inspection to determine the best option to restore balance to your drain field.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(678) 873-7934

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Treatment Options for a Drain Field Biomat

July 13th, 2019 Posted in Drain Field
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When a thick, dark growth covers your drain field, this substance is called a biomat and it is not a good sign. Biomats occur when the drain field is not filtering effluent from the septic tank properly, resulting in an organic growth above ground. If your drain field is forming a biomat, this is a warning that your septic system needs service. Treating and servicing your septic system quickly can eliminate a biomat and may prevent a septic failure.

Schedule an Inspection and Service

First, call your local septic professional and schedule an inspection and service. If left unchecked, a biomat can destroy your septic system, requiring a new tank and drain field be installed. A maintenance service of tank pumping and inspecting your system may identify issues that can help treat your biomat.

Change Your Habits

It may not be a problem with your septic system that is causing your biomat; it may be how you are using your septic. Using excessive water, putting chemicals down the drain, using anti-bacterial soaps/cleansers and anti-biotic medications can all impact your septic system’s ability to breakdown solid waste. This can cause solid particles to flow out to your drain field, feeding the biomat that is growing and suffocating your system. Cut down on water use and be careful not to put items down the drain that can kill the good bacteria in your septic tank.

At the first signs of a biomat formation on your drain field, call your local septic service company and begin evaluating your septic use. Quick action on your part could save your septic system and save you thousands of dollars in replacement costs.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(678) 873-7934

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Should I Repair or Replace My Drain Field?

February 12th, 2019 Posted in Drain Field
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Are you having problems with your drain field? Without your drain field, your septic system is useless and will contaminate the ground around your home and backup sewage. Signs of problems with your drain field include:

  • Foul odors near drain field
  • Heavy, green growth over drain field
  • The formation of a bio-mat
  • Pooling above drain field
  • Sewage backups

If any of these issues are occurring, you have most likely a problem with your drain field. The question is, should you repair or replace your drain field?

Possible Repairs

Drain fields are simple, without much equipment. There is a distribution box and pipes that distribute the waste water throughout the drain field. If there is a problem in either of these places, it may be possible that you just need a repair. A clogged or broken pipe in your drain field can be a quick repair, or a clogged distribution box can be fixed. But if the issue is in the ground, you may be looking at larger repairs or replacement.

When a Drain Field Needs Replacement

A functional drain field is one that “percs”, meaning that the waste water efficiently filters down through the soil. If this is no longer the case, it often means the drain field needs replacement. Most drain fields last about twenty years before they are no longer viable and a new one needs to be built.

To determine whether you need a repair or replacement for your drain field problem, call in a local septic professional. They can find the problem and give you options for repair or replacement to restore your drain field’s functionality.

Posted on behalf of:
Septic Service Pro, LLC
Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30334
(678) 292-8728

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What Is a Biomat?

September 24th, 2018 Posted in Drain Field
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Many people who own homes with a septic system are not familiar with the various components of their system. It is not uncommon for a homeowner not to know where their septic tank or drain field is, even though this is important information to know. However, knowing where your system components are located and what to look for if there is a problem is important to prevent complete septic failure. One of these elements is a biomat.

If you are unfamiliar with a biomat, that may be a good thing. A biomat is something you do not want to occur if you have a septic system. To understand what a biomat is and why it is a sign of a septic problem, you need to know how your drain field works.

Drain Fields and Biomats

Your drain field is used to filter the waste water that comes from your septic tank. The effluent or waste water comes through a distribution box from the tank and is slowly spread over the drain field area through small underground pipes. If the soil is not allowing the water to go down fast enough or too many solids are in the effluent when it reaches the drain field, a bacteria-created layer is created called a biomat. This covers the ground and can prevent waste water from entering the soil to be filtered, causing a pooling of waste water and a septic backup.

Biomats don’t occur overnight. If there is an issue with the drain field, often there will be pooling water, a bad odor or abnormal plant growth in the area. This is the time to call your septic professional for an inspection to get the problem fixed before it becomes a full septic failure.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(678) 873-7934

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Springtime Septic System Maintenance

April 2nd, 2018 Posted in Drain Field
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After the cold months of winter have passed, there are many chores to consider around your home. You have a lawn to maintain, gardens to plant and cleanup from the winter storms. Another item to add to your to-do list for spring is septic system maintenance. You want to ensure your system did not sustain any damage from freezing, excess water or other issues throughout the winter. Here is a checklist of septic maintenance to do this springtime. 

  • Inspect your drain field. Drain fields can be damaged if too much water accumulated or if freezing temperatures cracked drainage pipes. Do an inspection of your drain field. Look for any signs of bio mat or standing water that is not absorbing into the ground; a bad odor is also a sign of issues.
  • Check your maintenance log. When was the last time your septic system was serviced and the tank pumped? After a busy winter of holiday gatherings and much time spent indoors, it may be time to have your system pumped and serviced.
  • Look for signs of trouble. Beyond the drain field, you can look for possible signs of sewer line problems in your yard and home. Soggy areas in your lawn where sewer lines run underneath could be a sign of a broken pipe that is leaking. Slow drains in the home could be alerting you to a clog. If there are any of these signs, schedule a camera inspection of your sewer lines to investigate the problem.

Your septic system should be designed to withstand the cold or wet months of winter, but there still can be problems that occur. Take the time this spring to inspect and service your septic system to avoid having your summer interrupted by a septic failure.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221

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Common Drain Field Problems

October 8th, 2017 Posted in Drain Field
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Your drain field is an integral part of your septic system, the last phase of cleansing your waste water. Most drain fields are comprised of a distribution box, outlet pipes and a soil filtration system that distribute waste water from your septic tank into the ground. When one or more component becomes blocked or damaged, it can cause a backup and a complete septic failure. Here are some of the common problems that can occur in the drain field and how to prevent them.

Broken Pipes

If any of the pipes in your drain field are damaged, the waste water will not distribute evenly. Prevent broken pipes by keeping vehicles and other heavy equipment away from your drain field. Weight can cause damage to these small pipes and cause backups and other issues.

Pipe Clogs

The pipes in your drain field are perforated to allow the waste water to flow out and into the soil. These small holes can be clogged with debris that escapes the septic tank. Pills and other small objects that do not easily breakdown should never be put down your drains to avoid these clogs. Tree roots can also create clogs; never plant trees near your drain field.

Grease Caps

Too much fat or grease in your waste water can cause a grease cap to form over your drain field. This can cut off the oxygen flow to feed the bacteria that need to break down the effluent entering the soil. Do not put fat or grease down your drains to avoid this issue.

If you notice an odor coming from your drain field or a bio-mat forming over the area, call your local septic service company. Also, have your drain field inspected annually to ensure everything is in good working order to prevent emergency backups.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(678) 873-7934

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Is a Drain or Leach Field Dangerous?

July 24th, 2017 Posted in Drain Field
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Most people worry about germs and bacteria when it comes to their health. Everyone knows that raw sewage is full of bacteria that can be harmful. If you have a septic system, you may be concerned that your drain or leach field could be dangerous for kids or pets if there is harmful bacteria present. The good news is if you maintain your drain field, there is no need to worry about it causing illness or harm to your family.

A properly maintained drain field should be covered with grass, free from larger shrubs or trees. If your drain field is working as it should, waste water flows into the area and drains quickly down through the soil. There should not be any odor or standing water – if either of these are present, call your septic service company immediately for an inspection.

If water is pooling on top of your drain field, this means the waste water is not filtering down as quickly as it should. In this case, your drain field can be a hazard and you should keep your kids and pets away from the area until it can be repaired. You may have a septic backup or failure, which needs professional care to fix.

To keep your drain or leach field healthy and safe, keep a close eye on it for any problems. Pooling water, odor or changes in the vegetation growing above it are good reasons to call your septic service. Make sure to have regular inspections and service to ensure your entire septic system is kept maintained to prevent backups and other septic problems.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221

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Drain Field Design 101

June 11th, 2017 Posted in Drain Field
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If you are building a drain field for your gravity septic system, there are many different elements to consider. While regulations vary in different states and counties, most have specific rules you must follow. You will need a professional septic company to design your septic system, including your drain field. In most cases, the plans for your system will need to be submitted to the local health or building department for approval. Knowing what elements will need to be included can help you understand what issues may delay the building of your drain field.

Soil

One of the key elements of your drain field will be the depth and type of soil. A perk test will need to be done to ensure the soil is not too dense. Clay-based soils can be troublesome. How quickly waste water can permeate the soil is crucial to building a functioning drain field.

Size

Your drain field will need to be large enough to handle the size of home you have. This is usually based on the number of bedrooms in the home with a minimum size in some states or counties.

Location

There are specific rules on where you can place your drain field. This can include distance from the foundation of the home, wells, bodies of water, property lines and other considerations.

If you are buying property, the septic design and perk test should be done before your purchase. Knowing where the best place to put your drain field can be factored into where to build your home. Since drain fields and septic systems have specific requirements, it is easier to build a home around a septic system than the other way around. Having a septic designer and installer will help ensure your project goes smoothly, from start to finish.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(678) 873-7934

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Is Your Septic System Ready for Heavy Rain?

December 30th, 2016 Posted in Drain Field
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Sometimes it is not what goes into your septic system that can cause problems. Mother Nature can also do harm to your system with torrential downpours, hail and deep freezes. While most homeowners with septic systems prepare for the freezing weather during the winter, not everyone considers what those heavy rain storms can do to their drain field and septic system.

Your drain field is only designed to handle so much water at a time. Your distribution box carefully distributes water evenly throughout the field so it can absorb into the drainage soil. Unfortunately, when a heavy rain storm hits, this can push water, and the effluent, back into the septic tank. As the drain field floods, so may your septic tank. If the tank is already fairly full, this excess water can push sewage back up toward your home and cause a sewer backup in your drains.

A sewer backup can be very expensive. Not only will your plumbing be unusable, it can cause water and mold damage in your home. If sewage overflows into your home, this can be a health hazard and needs specialized cleanup to ensure that your home is sanitized for safety. You also may need repairs to your drain field and septic system.

To prevent problems during the spring, summer and fall storms, preventative maintenance is required for your septic system. Before the rainy season hits in your region of the country, have your septic system inspected. If your septic tank is over half full, it may be beneficial to have it pumped as a precaution. Allowing extra room for those flooding waters can prevent the possibility of a sewer backup into your home.

Posted on behalf of:
Septic Service Pro, LLC
Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30334
(678) 292-8728

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Drain Field Installation Basics

August 9th, 2016 Posted in Drain Field
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If you are installing a new septic system, you will also need to install a drain field. The septic tank and plumbing are just the first half of your entire septic system; the drain field is the critical second half. Having a drain field that is properly sized, in the right location and with the right environment is all important to ensure that it will function for many years to come. Here are a few basic tips that you should know about installing your new drain field.

  • Size matters. You must have a large enough drain field to handle the amount of waste water coming from your septic tank. Your septic professional will discuss this with you – however, you will need to dedicate a sizable portion of your property to this area. If it is too small, it will not leech into the soil fast enough and can cause a backup.
  • Landscaping. You will want to keep trees and large shrubs away from your drain field. These larger plants can have extensive roots that can grow into the field, clogging the system. It is best to only have grass covering the drain field and no large plants nearby.
  • Protect the area. You should have your drain field in an area where it won’t accidently be drove over or covered by any material. A good drain field should be difficult to spot; it should just look like part of your lawn. However, if someone drives over it or pours a material on top of it, you may need to replace it.

Hiring a qualified professional to install your drain field is the most important tip. A quality drain field that is correctly installed can perform for decades without any issues. Find a septic professional that is experienced in drain field installation to perform the job.

Posted on behalf of:
Septic Service Pro, LLC
Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30334
(678) 292-8728

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