Understanding the inner workings of a septic system can be quite complicated for the layman, but there are things that you’ll need to understand if you’re considering or just completed the purchase of a home with a septic system. The leach field, also called a drain field, is a network of trenches and pipes that are surrounded by gravel and a layer of soil to protect it from animals and environmental disturbances.
The leach field removes contaminants from the liquid that leaves the septic tank, allowing for disposal of organic materials with the assistance of the surrounding microbial ecosystem. Leach field failures are usually the result of intestinal bacteria that finds its way into the leach field, where they take hold and begin to secrete a substance called biomat. That substance, a mucal slime that begins to thicken over time, can eventually begin to inhibit the flow of liquid through the leach field.
The result is a rise of odorous waste to the surface and a fully clogged leach field. Pipes can also be broken or clogged by the roots of trees growing nearby, construction activity on your property or driving a vehicle over the leach field. Failure to pump a septic tank in a timely manner can also cause an accumulation of sludge and organic solids, which will contribute to the growth of biomat. A sewer-septic contractor can assess the problem and offer possible solutions for drain field repairs to restore proper septic system function, as well as addressing any issues that could be contributing to damage of the leach field or septic system failures.
