Your drain field is an important part of your septic system. Although it’s the final phase of your system, it can tell you a lot about what is happening in your septic tank, pump and pipes. Keeping an eye and nose on your drain field can alert you to problems within your septic before they result in a septic failure, helping you avoid costly issues in the future.
Signs To Watch For In Your Drain Field
Your drain field should be where wastewater goes after it has undergone basic filtration and cleansing within the septic tank. The drain field is meant to filter any remaining impurities from the water before it returns to the ground water supply. However, when the system is not working correctly, the water entering the drain field will not be filtered as it should be. Some signs to look for in your drain field include:
– Wet areas. If there are wet or boggy areas, especially during dry seasons, your septic may be failing or experiencing difficulty.
– Odor. A strong or unusual odor coming from the drain field is a serious cause for concern. Call your local septic professional if you notice unpleasant smells near the drain field area.
– Grass color. Watch the color of the grass growing above your drain field. If it’s a brighter green than the surrounding grass on your property, it can be a sign of a back-up as the bacteria-rich fluid actually fertilizes this particular area.
– Waste material. If you see any type of debris in the wastewater in your drain field that should have been filtered, you may have a serious problem with your septic system.
Whenever you notice any of these changes in your drain field, it is a good time to call your septic professional for an inspection.
Posted on behalf of Seagraves Plumbing, Sewer and Septic
