Is a Drain or Leach Field Dangerous?

July 24th, 2017 Posted in Drain Field
Comments Off on Is a Drain or Leach Field Dangerous?

Most people worry about germs and bacteria when it comes to their health. Everyone knows that raw sewage is full of bacteria that can be harmful. If you have a septic system, you may be concerned that your drain or leach field could be dangerous for kids or pets if there is harmful bacteria present. The good news is if you maintain your drain field, there is no need to worry about it causing illness or harm to your family.

A properly maintained drain field should be covered with grass, free from larger shrubs or trees. If your drain field is working as it should, waste water flows into the area and drains quickly down through the soil. There should not be any odor or standing water – if either of these are present, call your septic service company immediately for an inspection.

If water is pooling on top of your drain field, this means the waste water is not filtering down as quickly as it should. In this case, your drain field can be a hazard and you should keep your kids and pets away from the area until it can be repaired. You may have a septic backup or failure, which needs professional care to fix.

To keep your drain or leach field healthy and safe, keep a close eye on it for any problems. Pooling water, odor or changes in the vegetation growing above it are good reasons to call your septic service. Make sure to have regular inspections and service to ensure your entire septic system is kept maintained to prevent backups and other septic problems.

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

, ,
Read More

Identifying Drain Field Problems

January 26th, 2016 Posted in Drain Field
Comments Off on Identifying Drain Field Problems

Is your home or business on a septic system with a drain field? A properly working drain field is essential to avoid septic system failures that can cost several thousand dollars to repair or replace. Your drain field can work perfectly for years with no issues, making it easy to become complacent on regular inspections. However, identifying drain field problems early can prevent system failures and save you money. Here are a few signs to look for to catch drain filed issues before they become big problems.

  • Outdoor odors. If your drain field is working right, you shouldn’t have a bad odor around your home. If you catch a hint of sewage smell in the air, it is time to take a closer look at your drain field to determine if that is the source of the odor.
  • Pooling water. Although your drain field is constantly receiving waste water, if it is doing its job, the water should be immediately draining into the soil. Pooling water is one of the first signs that there is a problem within the drain field and you should call your septic professional.
  • Greener grass. Greener grass is not always a good thing. When the grass above your drain field is a deeper green than the rest of the lawn, you may be having a drain field issue. Too much waste material could be fertilizing the grass on your drain field, creating the greener grass but eventually it could lead to septic failure.

At the first sign of a drain field issue, call your local septic repair company. They can do a full inspection and get the source of the problem before it becomes worse.

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

, ,
Read More

Is Biomat Harming Your Septic Drain Field?

December 2nd, 2015 Posted in Drain Field
Comments Off on Is Biomat Harming Your Septic Drain Field?

To function correctly, your septic tank and drain field need to maintain a delicate bacterial balance. For your drain field to be able to drain and filter the wastewater coming from the septic tank, the water must be able to freely flow through the soil. When the delicate bacteria balance is interrupted, a biomat can grow over the top of the drain field, leading to septic failure.

What is Biomat?

To put it simply, biomat is an organic substance that grows from the solid waste and bacteria that are allowed to leave your septic tank. This layer of organic material begins to grow from the edges of your drain field, eventually covering the entire field with a thick, organic mass that prevents waste from penetrating through into the soil. As more septic waste comes onto the biomat, it feeds it, causing it to grow. This layer has a foul odor and can often be visible as a slimy, dark film over the drain field.

How Biomat can Harm Your Septic System

Once a biomat has formed, it can begin backing up your septic waste and cause a complete septic failure. If allowed to progress, it can result in needing a new septic system installed, which can be very expensive. To prevent biomat formation in the drain field, you need to focus on caring for your septic tank bacteria balance.

If your septic tank is breaking down solids correctly, the wastewater going into the drain field should be the right bacterial balance. This allows wastewater to drain properly and will not result in a biomat. To keep your septic system and drain field running smoothly, schedule annual maintenance service and inspections for your septic system with your local septic service.

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

, ,
Read More

Protecting Your Septic Drain Field

November 19th, 2014 Posted in Drain Field
Comments Off on Protecting Your Septic Drain Field

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

, ,
Read More

Did Your Drainfield Grass Stay Green All Summer?

September 27th, 2014 Posted in Drain Field
Comments Off on Did Your Drainfield Grass Stay Green All Summer?

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

, ,
Read More

Find Local Company | Find Local Sewer Septic Services