How to Avoid a Thick Biomat on Your Drain Field

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

Treatment Options for a Drain Field Biomat

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

What Is a Biomat?

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

Is Remediation the Answer for Your Failing Septic System?

Your septic system relies on a balance of bacterial and mechanical factors to function properly. While you can have the mechanical aspect routinely inspected and maintained, the bacterial component can be more difficult to manage. Anaerobic systems rely on anaerobic bacteria to slowly breakdown waste solids in your tank. However, these same bacteria can cause the formation of bio-mat in your drain field that can lead to septic failure. Remediation is one option to stop this process and turnaround a failing septic system.

Septic remediation uses an aerobic bacteria generator to change the bacterial balance in your septic tank. Although anaerobic bacteria can work for decades to maintain a healthy septic system, over time they can produce a slimy substance that can clog your drain field. This can create a bio-mat that covers your drain field, making it difficult for effluent to be absorbed by the soil. This problem can be solved with the use of an aerobic bacteria generator.

These generators are placed in the septic tank and add oxygen to the tank, creating aerobic bacteria that feeds off the sludge and solids. These bacteria also flow out with the effluent to the drain field and begin consuming the slime and bio-mat that are clogging the filtration process. Just by adding this component to your septic system, you can often fix a failing septic system and extend the life of your system for many years.

There are many different aerobic bacteria generators available through septic service professionals. One of the top options is the Aquaworx Remediator. Talk to your local septic service company to see if remediation can save your failing septic system.

Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 736-8283