Did Your Drainfield Grass Stay Green All Summer?

September 27th, 2014 Posted in Drain Field
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By late August, many lawns are withering away under the hot summer sun, turning yellow and brown in the heat. If you noticed that the grass above your drain or leach field stayed green all summer, however, it may not actually be a good sign. Flourishing grass looks great, but it’s also one of the signs that there may be a problem in your septic system’s drainfield, which may need immediate repair before it fails completely. 

Signs Of Drainfield Problems

Greener grass in the area of your lawn covering your drainfield isn’t the only sign of a potential problem. There are several indicators which should be taken as a warning it’s time to call a local septic professional. Should a drainfield fail, it will more than likely need to be completely replaced, at high costs to homeowners. If problems are detected and addressed early, though, repair is generally an option. Some signs, in addition to abnormally healthy grass, to be aware of include: 

  • Odor. One of the easiest to detect and most noticeable signs of impending failure is the distinct odor a drainfield gives off when it’s not working correctly. If you catch a whiff of unpleasant odor on the breeze, you may want to take a closer look at your drainfield.
     
  • Wet areas. The reason for the green grass during the hottest months of the year may be attributed to excess moisture on the ground surface. Although great for the grass, it is not a good sign for your septic system, as that water should be draining down through the field. 

If any of these signs are present, call your septic professional for a full inspection. There may be options to fix the system instead of replacing, which can save you thousands of dollars.

Posted on behalf of Find Local Sewer Septic

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Drain Fields

August 16th, 2014 Posted in Drain Field
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There are four main components of a septic tank system, and all of these components must work together for the septic tank to function properly. A septic tank is a large, buried tank that collects wastewater from an individual home. The tank may hold upwards of 1,000 gallons of water depending on the size of the home. Wastewater flows into the tank at one end and leaves the tank at the other end. The water inside the septic tank separates into layers: the top layer is the scum layer, the bottom layer is the “sludge” layer, and in between these two layers is fairly clear waste water. All three of these layers inside the septic tank are important and must function properly in order for the septic tank to continually displace water into the drain field.

A drain field is an area beyond the septic tank where the fairly clear wastewater is passed and treated. The drain field is made of perforated pipes buried in trenches filled with gravel. As the water passes through the perforated pipes, water escapes through the holes in the pipes and is filtered through the gravel and dirt that is within the trenches. As the water is passed through these natural filters, contaminants and impurities are removed from the wastewater. This ensures that the wastewater that has left the house and entered the septic system is safe to enter the supply of ground water.

Although many people typically do not put a lot of thought into their septic systems and drain fields until there is a problem, a properly functioning septic system is a work of art. It performs strictly on the basis of gravity, and it naturally functions to clean the water so that it is safe to reenter the ground. With proper installation and care of a septic system, a drain field will function efficiently 25-30 years.

Posted on behalf of Septic Service Pro

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How Long Will A Septic Drainfield Last?

January 28th, 2014 Posted in Drain Field
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A septic drainfield is dependent upon many factors to stay viable. While many homes have had drainfields last for decades, many others have their drainfields fail with a few years or even less. The longevity of a septic drainfield will depend on how and where the field is built, and also upon how it is used and maintained. To get the most use out of a drainfield, the first step is to ensure that the drain field installation is done correctly.

Building A Successful Drainfield

A drainfield has certain requirements that, if not met, will jeopardize the septic system as a whole. The location and installation are critical; without the proper conditions, the field is unlikely to support a septic system that is used on a regular basis. Some of the factors that need to be considered when creating a drainfield include:

  • Soil conditions. An area that has seasonal flooding or surface runoffs will be a poor location for a drainfield.
  • High water clearance. The drainfield must be installed over the high water clearance to be viable.
  • Dimensions. The field must be large enough to handle the amount of usage and take into consideration the soil percolation rate.
  • Proper soil, gravel and covering. A drainfield needs the correct combination of gravel, soil and backfill covering to work efficiently.

In the best circumstances, a drainfield may last for up to twenty years. However, many municipalities will insist that when building a drainfield,  a second replacement field area is reserved for when the first one eventually fails. The best way to ensure you have an adequate drainfield for your needs is to have a professional septic company build your field, and educate you on the best way to maintain your field once it’s in place.

Posted on behalf of Mike Smith, A-Flo Free Septic

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Drain Field Installation and Repair

August 15th, 2013 Posted in Drain Field
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Drain fields are a critical part of every septic system.  It is here that fluids from the septic tank are discharged into a pipe system where they leech out into the soil.  While it may look that drain fields are all the same, this is not the case, as each drain field is designed based upon the sewage load of the home, which is based primarily on the number of potential occupants of the home and not the number of bathrooms.

Also factored into the design are the soil composition, existing and proposed grades, as well as the number and length of the pipes servicing the drain field.  Drain fields are not permitted to have any thing other than grass on them.  Trees and plants can have their roots find their way into the drainage pipes, blocking their ability to allow the fluids to flow in the pipe and leech into the soils.

While drain fields can last for many years, it may become necessary at some point to install a new drain field as the drainage pipes fill up over time.  Often repairs are necessary as well, especially if heavy equipment has driven over the drain field and crushed a drainage pipe.  One of the signs of a drain field issues is a “wet” area in the drain field when it has been dry.

A qualified septic contractor will be able to evaluate your drain field and make the most cost effective recommendation to either replace or repair the drain field, in order to restore the septic system to proper working order.  The proposed work will be permitted, inspected, professionally done and most importantly economically.

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Understanding the Different Types of Drain Fields

January 31st, 2013 Posted in Drain Field
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Not all septic systems use the same types of drain fields. The soil composition in the area used for the drain field is one of the major factors in determining the type of drain field used with a septic system. Below is a list of the different types of drain fields that might be installed for a septic system.

Conventional System
The conventional drain field is constructed by digging trenches that fork out from the distribution box. A perforated drainpipe is laid in the trenches and the trenches are filled with gravel. A barrier is placed over the gravel prior to placing the topsoil over the trenches. This keeps the soil from sifting down into the gravel and impeding the water flow. 

Drip or Low Pressure Pipe System
This system uses small, perforated tubing that is located very close to the ground surface. The wastewater flow is controlled with periods of rest so as not to oversaturate the soil. The wastewater is dispersed through feeding the root systems of the grass growing over the drain field and through evaporation. 

Spray System
A spray type drain field is one that actually sprays water out over the ground surface through sprinkler heads. These systems involve a series of treatment tanks that the effluent is processed through before reaching the spray heads. 

Sand Mound System
The mound system is often used when the soil conditions or water table do not allow for a conventional drain field. In this drain field there is a ‘dosing’ tank between the septic tank and the mound system. The dosing tank distributes the wastewater into the sand mound at timed intervals. 

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