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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Is Your Septic System Ready for Heavy Rain?

December 30th, 2016 Posted in Drain Field
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Sometimes it is not what goes into your septic system that can cause problems. Mother Nature can also do harm to your system with torrential downpours, hail and deep freezes. While most homeowners with septic systems prepare for the freezing weather during the winter, not everyone considers what those heavy rain storms can do to their drain field and septic system.

Your drain field is only designed to handle so much water at a time. Your distribution box carefully distributes water evenly throughout the field so it can absorb into the drainage soil. Unfortunately, when a heavy rain storm hits, this can push water, and the effluent, back into the septic tank. As the drain field floods, so may your septic tank. If the tank is already fairly full, this excess water can push sewage back up toward your home and cause a sewer backup in your drains.

A sewer backup can be very expensive. Not only will your plumbing be unusable, it can cause water and mold damage in your home. If sewage overflows into your home, this can be a health hazard and needs specialized cleanup to ensure that your home is sanitized for safety. You also may need repairs to your drain field and septic system.

To prevent problems during the spring, summer and fall storms, preventative maintenance is required for your septic system. Before the rainy season hits in your region of the country, have your septic system inspected. If your septic tank is over half full, it may be beneficial to have it pumped as a precaution. Allowing extra room for those flooding waters can prevent the possibility of a sewer backup into your home.

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

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Common Drain Field Problems

May 5th, 2015 Posted in Drain Field
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If your septic system and drain field are working the way they should, you may not even know they are there. There are no foul odors, standing water or sewer backups, just a well-performing system. Unfortunately, when something does go wrong, your drain field will be one of the first places you will begin noticing a problem. If not fixed quickly, you could have an expensive septic failure on your hands.

Causes of Drain Field Problems

You will know there is problem with your drain field if there is standing water, a bad smell or the grass is much too green in that portion of the yard. A backed up sewer line can also be a sign of drain field issues. Unfortunately, it is not as easy to find the cause of the problem and get it fixed as it is to notice that one exists. Some of the common causes include:

  • Poor soil absorption. If the soil has been compromised and is no longer absorbing quickly, your drain field may need repair or replacement. This can be caused by the use of some chemicals that bond with the clay in the soil and limit absorption.
  • Clogged drain field pipes. The pipes that release waste water from the distribution box into the drain field are perforated with small holes. These can get clogged by various items that don’t dissolve, including certain tablets or pills.
  • Thick biomat. A biomat that has become too thick can actually create a barrier that prevents absorption into the soil of your drain field.

Drain field problems can be complicated and should be addressed by a septic professional. As soon as you notice a problem, call in a professional to inspect your drain field and septic system before a small issue ends in a large and expensive repair.

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


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Troubleshooting Drain Field Problems

April 30th, 2015 Posted in Drain Field
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Keeping a functioning drain field is essential to ensuring your septic system is working correctly. If the drain field is no longer able to filter effluent from the septic tank, the entire system can be compromised. There are two main signs that there may be a problem with your drain field: poor draining of the effluent and sewer backups. If you have these issues, you need to begin to troubleshoot what is causing the problem.

Common Drain Field Issues

There are a few different reasons that a drain field is not draining or is backing up. Before you call a septic professional, try checking a few septic functions to narrow down the problems. Some areas to check include:

  • Damage to drain spouts. If a vehicle or other heavy equipment has drove over the drain field, your pipes may have been crushed. Check for damage to the pipes.
  • Full tank. Has your tank been pumped recently? A full tank can overflow into the drain field.
  • Tree roots. Have trees or shrubs grown larger near the field? Roots can grow into your pipes, causing a clog.
  • Clogged drain pipes. If non-biodegradable materials have been allowed down the drain, these items can clog the small holes in your drain field pipes.

Some ongoing issues that can cause drain field problems include overuse of garbage disposal, too much grease allowed down the drains and under-sized septic tanks. Although you can troubleshoot these issues on your own, you will want to call in a septic professional to fix the problem. They can repair the immediate problem and give you advice on how to overcome ongoing drain field problems.

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

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Protecting Your Septic Drain Field

November 19th, 2014 Posted in Drain Field
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One of the most important components of many septic systems is the leach or drain field .For a septic system to work correctly, wastewater released from the septic tank must be quickly absorbed into the soil within a drainfield, which naturally cleans the water as it travels through the soil. If the process is interrupted in any way, it can cause the drainfield and, by extension, the entire septic system to fail. For this reason alone, it’s of vital importance that homeowners take particular care of their drainfield area.

Tips For Maintaining Your Drain Field

If you have a septic system with a drain field, you need to be aware of what’s happening in and near the area. There are several factors which can affect your drain field, causing it to flood, back up or become unbalanced. However, if properly maintained and protected, a drain field can last for 20-30 years. Some ways to protect your drain field include:

  • Do not drive or walk on the area. Your drain or leach field needs to be left undisturbed. The pipes connecting it to the septic tank are located right beneath the surface. Restricting this area, keeping vehicles and even those on foot away from the somewhat delicate pipes is an important part of protecting your drainfield.
  • Divert excess rainwater. Too much water can destroy your drainfield. Divert water from house gutters and other run-off away from the drain field area so your septic system doesn’t become overwhelmed.
  • Keep tree roots away from the area. Tree roots are naturally attracted to the moist soil of a drainfield, and are also one of the most common culprits when it comes to septic damage. Don’t plant trees or large bushes near your drainfield or septic system to keep roots from penetrating your septic pipes.

As a homeowner, you should always be keeping an eye on your drainfield. Be aware of any excess water, effluent accumulating on the surface and foul odors, all of which are signs of drain field problems that should be addressed by your septic professional.

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

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