Common Drain Field Problems

October 8th, 2017 Posted in Drain Field
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Your drain field is an integral part of your septic system, the last phase of cleansing your waste water. Most drain fields are comprised of a distribution box, outlet pipes and a soil filtration system that distribute waste water from your septic tank into the ground. When one or more component becomes blocked or damaged, it can cause a backup and a complete septic failure. Here are some of the common problems that can occur in the drain field and how to prevent them.

Broken Pipes

If any of the pipes in your drain field are damaged, the waste water will not distribute evenly. Prevent broken pipes by keeping vehicles and other heavy equipment away from your drain field. Weight can cause damage to these small pipes and cause backups and other issues.

Pipe Clogs

The pipes in your drain field are perforated to allow the waste water to flow out and into the soil. These small holes can be clogged with debris that escapes the septic tank. Pills and other small objects that do not easily breakdown should never be put down your drains to avoid these clogs. Tree roots can also create clogs; never plant trees near your drain field.

Grease Caps

Too much fat or grease in your waste water can cause a grease cap to form over your drain field. This can cut off the oxygen flow to feed the bacteria that need to break down the effluent entering the soil. Do not put fat or grease down your drains to avoid this issue.

If you notice an odor coming from your drain field or a bio-mat forming over the area, call your local septic service company. Also, have your drain field inspected annually to ensure everything is in good working order to prevent emergency backups.

Posted on behalf of:
Metro Septic LLC
1210 N Tennessee St
Cartersville, GA 30120
(678) 873-7934

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Sewer and Septic Systems: Knowing the Difference

March 12th, 2014 Posted in Drain Field
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First-time homeowners face a host of questions related to their new property, but one of the most common sources of confusion is related to waste removal. For many, understanding the difference between a city sewer and a septic system can be a mystifying challenge, especially if their experience with one or the other is particularly limited. You know that when you flush your toilet or pour fluids down the drain, waste is carried out of your home. What you may not know is just where it goes, and how it’s managed afterwards.

What is a Sewer System?

City-dwellers and those within a reasonable distance of a municipal area will often have access to the public sewer system. A main sewer line will carry waste water and solids to a treatment facility, away from your property altogether. Municipal sewer systems are maintained by the local government, but only in public areas. Typically, only the main line is maintained by the municipal authorities. The pipe leading to your individual property is usually considered your responsibility, and you will be responsible for contacting a sewer and septic professional should you encounter pipe breakage, clogs or other mishaps.

Septic Systems Explained

If you choose to live a bit off the beaten path, you’re likely to find there’s no municipal sewer system in place in your neighborhood. This means you’ll be dependent on a septic system, which is a self-contained wastewater treatment system which is largely located underground. They’re comprised primarily of a septic tank and a drainfield, which allows for the natural treatment of wastewater from your home. Because the system is self-contained and independent of any centralized sewer system, you are solely responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of a septic system. This includes regular pumping of the septic tank to remove solid waste.

If you have questions or concerns about the upkeep of the sewer or septic system on your new property, contact a local sewer and septic professional for assistance and in-depth maintenance information.

Posted on behalf of Keith Lee, Metro Septic and Plumbing

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How Landscaping Decisions Can Affect Your Septic System

December 18th, 2013 Posted in Drain Field
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One of the most appealing aspects of a property can be a well-designed and maintained landscape. Graceful, mature trees can have a positive impact on your home’s curb appeal and resale value. They can also have a negative impact on your septic system, depending on their location.

There’s a lot going on beneath the surface of the soil on your property. Your septic system is managing the waste flow from your home, pipes carry water inside and the roots of all those gorgeous trees and shrubs are expanding. If those roots happen to make their way into your septic system through cracks and joints in the pipes, you may find yourself facing a septic system problem or two.

Slow drainage is often one of the first signs the root system of a tree has found a way into your septic system. If root growth continues unchecked, the chances of pipe breakage and sewage leaks increases. It’s not unheard of for tree roots to contribute heavily to the complete failure of a septic system, which can be very costly and inconvenient.

One surefire way to prevent tree root interference with your septic system is to make a point of learning where your drainfield, tank and pipes are located. The only thing you should plant over the drainfield is a short-rooted grass variety; trees and even shrubbery can put down roots which may later interfere with the septic system.

In the case of existing trees, it’s important to call a licensed septic maintenance professional if you suspect possible root interference. A septic system professional can determine the scope of the problem, and safely remove any offending trees without causing further damage to your system.

Posted on behalf of Keith Lee, Metro Septic and Plumbing

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Protect Your Drain Field With a Washing Machine Lint Filter

November 7th, 2011 Posted in Drain Field
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If your home is on a septic system, consider installing a washing machine lint filter to help protect your drain field and extend the life of your system.  Waste water from you septic system flows into the drain field where it leeches into the soil.  A drain field can fail if it becomes clogged with too much solid material that was suspended in the waste water.

Waste water from washing machines contains a great deal of tiny lint particles.  These particles can be too light to settle out of the effluent in the septic tank and as a result they remain in suspension and flow out into the drain field where they can clog the pores in the soil around the drain field.

To make matters worse, much of this lint is inorganic fibers that do not decompose and will accumulate in the drain field for years.  A washing machine lint filter can greatly reduce the amount of lint from your washing machine that gets into you drain field.  These filters are relatively inexpensive and easy to install.

You may be wondering whether a washing machine lint filter is really necessary or is it a solution in search of a problem?  After all, there are millions of septic systems in use that have been working just fine without a washing machine lint filter.

On the other hand, thousands of septic systems fail every year and one of the main reasons for septic system failure is a clogged drain field.  Your drain field may work fine for years, but once it clogs up it’s too late to do much about it other than installing a replacement drainfield.  Replacing a clogged drain field can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000.  Compared to the cost of replacing your drain field, a lint filter that probably helps and certainly does not hurt your septic system seems like cheap insurance

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Septic System Failures

November 6th, 2011 Posted in Septic System
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A properly designed and installed septic system is an excellent way to treat and dispose of household wastewater.  However, a septic system needs to be used properly and regularly maintained or the septic system can fail and require expensive septic tank repairs or replacement.

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 where it forms the sludge layer.  Greases and other materials float to the top of the tank and form the scum layer.

The wastewater in between the sludge layer and scum layer is called the effluent and is allowed to flow into the drain field where it leeches into the soil and is purified through a natural organic process.  Baffles inside the septic tank prevent the scum layer from flowing into the drain field.  Bacterial action helps break down the solid material at the bottom of the tank

Septic systems usually fail because the septic field becomes clogged with solid material that prevents the wastewater from seeping into the soil.  Avoid flushing too much inorganic solid material down the drain such as from a garbage disposal or paper products. Failure to have the septic tank pumped when necessary can also lead to septic system failure.  The level of solid material in the tank rises so high that there is no room in the tank and the solid material flows into the septic field.

Septic system failures seem to occur suddenly, but in fact the cause of the failure has usually been building up over a period of months or years.  Most septic system failures can be averted through regular septic tank inspections and septic tank pumping when needed.

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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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Understanding Drain Fields

November 3rd, 2011 Posted in Drain Field
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If you are on a septic system, it is a good idea to understand how your system operates so you will be better able to take care of it and so you will know when to call a sewer-septic professional to handle any repairs.

The drainfield is a vitally important part of most septic systems.  The waste water from your home first flows into your septic tank where it is held for at least a day or two to allow solid material to settle to the bottom of the tank.  The waste water then flows into the drain field which consists of a series of perforated pipes (called leech lines) that are surrounded by gravel ad buried a foot or two below the surface of your yard.  The drain field is often called a leech field because it allows the water to leech into the gravel and the into the soil. The wastewater is purified naturally as it slowly leeches through the soil.

Problems with drain fields can be caused by flushing chemicals, paint, solvents, and other materials down your drains.  These materials collect in the soil around the leech lines and prevent the wastewater form properly leeching into the soil.

Overuse of the your septic system can also cause drain field problems.  If too much water gets into the drain field, it may not leech into the soil fast enough, causing the system to back up and waste water to make its way to the surface.

If you notice any problems with your drainfield, call a sewer-septic contractor with experience in the installation and repair of drainfields.

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Biomat

December 29th, 2010 Posted in Drain Field
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Biomat is a layer of biological material that forms in the septic field under and around the sides of the drain field lines.  Biomat is an important part of the septic system because it helps treat the waste.  However, excessive biomat formation can cause serious problems with a septic system and lead to a costly drain field repair.

In a typical septic system, waste water flows from the home to a septic tank.  Once in the tank, the waste water is held for a period of time allowing solids settle to the bottom of the tank.  The liquid effluent then flows out into the drain field which consists of a series of perforated drain lines buried a few feet under the ground in trenches filled with gravel and soil.

The perforations in the drain field lines allow the waste water to leach into the soil.  Bacteria grows in the gravel and soil around the drain lines.  This bacteria and other microorganisms in the soil further treat the effluent by digesting small solids and pathogens .

As the bacteria grows, it forms a slimy layer under and along the sides of the drain field lines called biomat.  The biomat slows the rate at which the soil can absorb the effluent, but in a properly designed septic system the drain field is large enough to accept all of the effluent even with a thin layer of biomat.

However, if the biomat grows too thick, the effluent will begin to pool and seep to the surface or back up into the home.  Regular septic system maintenance such as pumping and inspection of your septic tank will help maintain the proper level of biomat growth.

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Septic Fields and Plants

December 29th, 2010 Posted in Drain Field
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A septic system consists of several components.  The drain pipe collects all of the household wastewater and routes it to the septic tank where the solid waste settles to the bottom of the tank.  The liquid waste flows from the septic tank out into the drain field (also called a leech field) where it percolates into the soil.

The drain field is a series of perforated pipes buried a few feet underground in your yard.  The drain field is usually installed in a flat area cleared of vegetation.  Once the septic system is installed, the question that often arises is what type of plants can be planted over the drain field.

The short answer is that plants with shallow root systems are OK to plant over a septic field.  Any sort of plants, trees, or shrubs with deep root systems can cause very serious problems with your septic system. Since the septic field is made from perforated pipes, it is very easy for any deep root systems to infiltrate the septic field and clog the septic field drain lines necessitating an expensive drain field repair.

Grasses and weeds are safe to grow over septic fields.  In fact, a healthy turf lawn will hold the soil in place, minimize erosion, and contribute to a healthy drain field.  Flowers with shallow root systems are also acceptable to grow over a septic field.

Shrubs and trees have root systems that grow too deep to plant over a septic field.  Shrubs and small trees with limited root systems can be planted 30 to 40 feet away from a septic field, but trees and shrubs that bear fruit or that grow extensive roots systems should be planted farther away.

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