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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Avoiding Drain Field Backups

May 29th, 2015 Posted in Drain Field
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One of the most common issues in a septic system is a drain field backup. This generally occurs when a biomat forms on top of the drain field, preventing the right absorption of effluent into the soil. There are many reasons this can happen, most caused by how the dwellers in the home use their septic system. With a few changes within the home, many drain field problems can be easily avoided, saving costly repairs.

Water Use

One of the biggest contributors to failing drain fields is too much water use in the home. This is especially common in homes with a smaller septic tank than is needed for the size or occupancy of the home. Took much water causes the tank to fill too quickly, not allowing for the sludge to form. Solution? Reduce the water use in the home by using water-efficient fixtures and appliances.

Chemicals

Chemicals and ingredients in many household cleaners can damage the bacterial composition of the septic system, helping create the clogging boimat in the drain field. Avoid dumping those cleaners down the drain and use cleaners formulated to be safe for septic systems.

Disposal of Waste

Certain food waste like fats, grease and oils should be kept out of the septic system, along with food particles that are slow to degrade like fruit or vegetable peelings. Also, anything non-biodegradable needs to be thrown away, not flushed down a toilet. This includes feminine hygiene products, cotton balls, baby wipes and other bathroom items.

Another way to avoid drain field backups is to ensure your tank is pumped regularly and your system is inspected for any problems. Make sure to schedule regular maintenance with your local septic company to avoid costly drain field emergencies.

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

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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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Heavy Water Usage Can Cause Septic System Failures

November 6th, 2011 Posted in Drain Field
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A septic system works by accumulating household wastewater in the septic tank and holding it there long enough for most solid material to settle to the bottom of the tank.  The wastewater then flows into the drain field or leech field where it leeches into the soil

Heavy water usage causes problems for your septic system in two ways.  First, too much water usage can overload the system if the wastewater cannot leech into the soil fast enough. The effluent will instead pool near or on the surface of the drain field.

In addition, a high volume of water usage will push water through the septic tank before the solid material can settle out.  The solid material will accumulate in the soil and over time the drain field will become partially clogged and unable to handle as much water.

In some cases, a drain field that was once able to handle a high volume of water has become partially clogged by solid material over time and is no longer able to handle that much water although it will work well during normal usage.  In other cases, unusually wet weather can decrease the volume of water that your septic field can handle.

If the soil around the drain field is waterlogged from unusually heavy rain or runoff, it will be unable to handle as much water.  This problem will usually resolve itself as soon as drier weather returns, but if it becomes a frequent occurrence you should call a sewer septic contractor.  You may need drainfield repairs or replacement.

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