Perc Tests

August 16th, 2014 Posted in Drain Field
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Before a septic system can be installed on a property, the soil must be tested to determine the conditions and suitability of land for a sewage disposal system. Perc tests refer to two functions performed for the testing: deep hole tests and percolation testing. Both of these types of testing require digging holes, one deep and one shallow. A board of health sanitarian or civil engineer will “read” the soil types and how well the soil accepts liquid to determine if they are suited for a septic system or not.

The term “Perc Test” comes from the word percolation. Once the shallow hole has been dug, water is poured into the hole to see at what rate the soil will accept liquid or how long it takes the level of water to go down within the hole. This rate is measured by “minutes per inch.” The perc rate will determine how many square feet of leaching area the septic system will need. The perc rate will be taken and then combined with the number of bedrooms to be built within a house. The number of bedrooms can be a sole determining factor on the size of a required septic tank. The number of people within a home determines the size of a septic system because they must all be accounted for in regards to how much waste the system can manage.

A perc test is required before a septic system can be installed onto a piece of property. This is a test to determine the absorption rate of soil for a septic drain field or “leach field.” The results of a percolation test are required to properly design a septic system. While every jurisdiction will have its own laws regarding the exact calculations for the length of line, depth of pit, etc., the testing procedures are the same.

Posted on behalf of Septic Service Pro

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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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Preventing Septic Drainfield Failures

May 8th, 2014 Posted in Drain Field
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The drainfield  is one of the most expensive components of a septic system, both during the initial installation and for repairs. Once a drainfield is in place, it’s in a homeowner’s best interest to ensure  the drainfield isn’t compromised by a poorly functioning or maintained septic tank, filter and aerator.  By keeping your entire septic system maintained, you can avoid expensive drain field failures and keep your entire system working smoothly for years to come.

Maintaining A Healthy Drainfield

To keep your drainfield working properly and to prevent failures, one of the most important factors is keeping your bio-mat in balance. The bio-mat is the biological mat that accumulates in the bottom and sides of your drainfield trench. This “mat” is made up of  microorganisms which live in organic material found in the septic wastewater. If the bio-mat becomes too thick, or out of balance, it can stop absorption into the drainfield soil below, causing a drainfield failure or septic backup.

To keep the bio-mat balanced , your septic tank must be maintained. Septic tank problems can cause excess organic material to be diverted into the drainfield, giving the bio-mat the food it needs to grow. Some of the ways to prevent septic tank problems that can lead to excessive organic materials are:

  • Regular septic tank pumping
  • Prevent harsh chemicals, like bleach and other cleaners, from getting into your septic system
  • Keep grease and fats out of drains
  • Have regular maintenance performed on septic tank, filters and aerators

The best way to protect your drainfield is to watch what materials you allow to go into the septic system and to maintain your septic tank. If it has been more than a year since you have had your septic system inspected or serviced, call your local septic professional now to schedule an appointment.

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

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Is A Water Softener Harmful To Septic Systems?

May 8th, 2014 Posted in Drain Field
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If you live in an area with hard water and also have a septic system, you may have heard conflicting information on whether to using a water softener is harmful to your septic. There are good points on both sides of the argument; however, most of the negative points against using a water softener with a septic system are based on older models of water softeners. The short answer is yes, water softeners can affect your septic system. That being said, there are ways to minimize the effects so that you can enjoy the benefits of softened water and maintain a healthy septic system.

Water Softeners Effects On Septic Systems

The biggest concern with water softeners on septic systems is the large amount of water discharged when the softener regenerates. This can be up to 150 gallons of water, depending on the type and size of the water softener. This surge in water use can cause a backlash on the septic system, pushing partially treated water out into the drainfield before it is ready. This can add to the growth of biomat and eventually lead to septic backups or drain field failures.

However, there are some solutions to this issue. First, most newer models of water softeners only regenerate based on water used, unlike older models which regenerated based on a timed system. This can reduce the number of regenerations and negative effects on the septic. Another solution is to drain the discharged water from the regeneration process outside of the septic if it is allowed under your local municipality or county codes.

If you have a water softener or are considering adding one, talk to your local septic professional on what is the best way to protect your septic system. They can offer advice on what is the safest way to add a water softener without jeopardizing your investment in your septic system.

Posted on behalf of Tony McAdams, A-1 National Sewer and Drain

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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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All About Drain Fields

December 18th, 2013 Posted in Drain Field
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If you’re like most homeowners, you may have only a cursory understanding of your septic system and how it works. Making a point of learning a bare minimum about the system is one of the best ways to prevent future problems, especially when it comes to your drain field.

The drain field removes contaminants and impurities from the waste water after it flows through your septic system, the last phase of ensuring that waste water is safe to enter the supply of groundwater. The ecosystem of a drain field is a very specific and balanced one, though it’s essentially very simple. Perforated pipes in a series of trenches are surrounded by a porous material like gravel, which is then covered by soil to protect it from surface runoff and outside interference.

Signs of Trouble in Your Drain Field

One of the most common signs of a failed or failing septic system is a swampy, marshy area of the drain field that does not dry up, even in sunny weather. Unusual smells, spots of exceptionally green or healthy grass and visual evidence of organic waste emerging through the drain field are also reliable signs of septic system trouble.

Maintaining Your Drain Field

With proper attention and regular maintenance, most drain fields will still function efficiently twenty-five to thirty years after installation. In addition to making a point of keeping trees, shrubbery and other large plants away from your drainfield, you should also be sure to work closely with a licensed septic system professional for routine inspections and maintenance purposes.

An experienced septic system specialist is trained to spot trouble brewing in your drain field, and to help you prevent common problems by addressing them before they get out of hand. Contact a sewer and septic professional in your area to arrange an inspection for your system, including your drain field, and to discuss routine maintenance in order to keep your system in peak condition.

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

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What Does the Drainfield Do?

October 23rd, 2013 Posted in Drain Field
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A drainfield is a very important piece of a septic system. A septic tank, the septic drain field and the associated piping, make a complete septic system.

The septic tank will have an inlet and an outlet. The outlet to the drainfield will have a filtering device which prevents solid waste particles from passing on to the drain field.

On average, a drainfield will have a series of pipes buried 18” within the ground on top of a bed of gravel. These drainage pipes sit parallel with each other and are all linked together coming out of the distribution box.

The wastewater from showers, toilets, washing machines and sinks enter the septic tank through pipelines. The liquid wastewater (effluent) is discharged by gravity or pressure to an absorption field (also known as a drainfield or a leachfield). In most gravity systems, the wastewater flows into a distribution box, and from there, effluent distributes equally among the trenches in the drainfield.

The type of soil greatly impacts the effectiveness of the drainfield.  Clay soils may be too tight to allow much wastewater to pass through, and coarse or sandy soil may not provide enough treatment to destroy pathogenic bacteria and viruses from entering a well or surface water supply. This process works best where the soil is somewhat dry, permeable, and contains plenty of oxygen for several feet below the drainfield.

The drainfield is where the final treatment takes place via Mother Nature. As wastewater trickles out of the pipes and through the gravel layer, microorganisms treat the effluent as it passes through the pore spaces. The soil micro-organisms percolate the effluent downward and outward, eventually entering ground or surface water.

Posted on behalf of Shawn Bynum, Bynum Plumbing

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