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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New Home Septic Inspection Checklist

September 24th, 2018 Posted in Septic Tank Inspections
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If you are buying a new home with a septic system, an inspection is usually required as part of the process. You want to be aware of any possible septic problems before you buy since replacing a septic system can be a large expense. While there are certain areas that must be checked for any septic inspection, you want to ensure the company you choose to do the inspection is thorough. Here are some of the areas that should be on the septic tank inspection to ensure you have a comprehensive overview of the septic system function in your new potential home.

  • Pump the tank. For a thorough inspection, the tank should be emptied before the evaluation begins.
  • Inspect the inside of the tank. Once the tank is pumped, the walls and floor should be inspected to detect any cracks or damage.
  • Septic tank lid. The lid needs to be checked for any damage and to ensure its placement meets local regulations or if it needs a riser. The lid should provide a complete seal and service openings should meet regulations
  • Ground inspection. Doing a complete inspection of the ground around the tank, distribution box and drain field should be performed to identify any possible leaks. Wet ground, pooling or erosion can be signs of a leak.
  • Components. There are many components that need to work properly. Some components that should be checked include: baffles, filters, runback water flow from drain field, and water flow from the home.

Making sure the septic system in your potential new home is working properly and has no signs of possible failure is important to your purchasing decision. Make sure you choose a septic service company that includes all these factors in their inspection for the most comprehensive evaluation.

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

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Tips on How to Maintain Your Septic System

July 25th, 2018 Posted in Septic System Maintenance
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Caring for your septic system is crucial, especially if you want to avoid expensive repairs or replacement. While your septic will run fine on its own, if regular maintenance and preventive care are not completed, you can be caught off guard with a major issue. If you are new to owning a septic system, there are a few things you should know to keep it running like clockwork. Here are some simple tips to maintain your septic system.

Reduce Waste

Everything you put down the drain must be handled by your septic system. Reduce wear on your system and minimize the frequency of pumping by limiting what you put down the drain. Keep items that won’t dissolve or breakdown out of your tank, such as: coffee grounds, cotton products, latex products, “flushable” wipes, fibrous produce, fats/oils and chemicals. Also reduce water waste by using water efficient fixtures and good water reduction habits.

Protect Your Drain Field

Keep vehicles and heavy equipment off your drain field. Occasionally inspect your drain field for odd plant growth, bad odors and pooling. If you notice anything strange, call your local septic service company.

Maintain Your Equipment

Your septic system has pumps, pipes and other equipment that will need repair or parts replaced. If you are not familiar with septic systems, leave inspecting and repairing your system to the professionals. Schedule a septic tank inspection and service at least once a year to catch issues before they become big, expensive problems.

Pumping

Make sure you are on a regular pumping schedule. A full septic tank can lead to a sewer backup or septic failure. Your maintenance crew can let you know when you should have your tank pumped and get you on a regular schedule.

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

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4 Things You Need to Know About Your Drain Field

June 22nd, 2016 Posted in Septic System Maintenance
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If your septic system is working like it should, your drain field may just look like another part of your lawn. In fact, you may not even know for sure exactly where your drain field is if everything is working like clockwork. However, your drain field is one of most important components of your septic system so you should be aware of some key points. Here are four things you should know about your drain field.

  1. The exact location. You probably have a general idea where your drain field is, but do you know exactly where it begins and where it ends? This is important information to know as you want to avoid having any heavy equipment on your drain field.
  2. Greener is not better. If you start to notice that one part of your lawn is greener than the rest and that part is over your drain field, you might have a problem. This may mean your septic tank is not filtering the waste water correctly before it comes to the drain field, fertilizing the grass.
  3. Wetter is also not better. Pooling water or a foul odor near your drain field are bad signs and you need to call your septic professional right away.
  4. Small items can clog your drain field pipes. Most drain field pipes have small holes in them that release the waste water into the soil. Small items, especially medications in tablet form, can clog these holes and cause a backup. Never flush old medications down the drain or toilet.

Your drain field is often the first area to show signs of distress when you are having septic problems. Keep an eye on your drain field and make sure to have annual inspections by your local septic service company.

Posted on behalf of:
Hunter’s Septic Service
Nesbit, MS
(662) 429-1686

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Importance of a Complete Septic Inspection Before Buying a New Home

January 26th, 2016 Posted in Septic Tank Inspections
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There are many factors to consider when buying a new home, including whether the home is on a septic system. Unlike city sewer systems, it is up to a homeowner to maintain a septic system and this could be a major expense if the previous owner has not kept up on the home’s septic service. Most states or local municipalities will require a septic system inspection before a home can be sold. However, it is in your best interest to ensure a complete inspection is performed covering these basics.

  • Tank is pumped. For a thorough inspection to be performed, the tank should be pumped. Make sure that the tank was emptied so that the tank can be checked for structural damage. If the tank will need to be replaced soon, this could greatly affect your buying decision or the price of the home.
  • Lid inspection. The septic tank lid should be inspected for several issues, including depth, cracks, seal performance and risers. All items should meet the local standards.
  • Drain field performance. The drain field is an integral component of the entire septic system. If it is not performing correctly, the entire system could fail and need to be replaced, costing several thousand dollars or more.
  • Measurements. As part of the pre-sale inspection, the septic tank should have several measurements taken, including the level of solids, water flow from the home into the tank and waste water flow from the tank to the drain field.

All components such as baffles and other equipment should also be checked to ensure every part is in good working order. You want to start ownership of your new home with a clean slate, so make sure the septic system is thoroughly inspected for your peace of mind.

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

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What Your Drain Field Can Tell You About Your Septic System

February 12th, 2014 Posted in Drain Field
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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

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