A drain field, also known as a leach field, is the make or break element of the septic system. It consists of trenches, pipes, and lateral lines that work together to receive pre-treated waste matter from the septic tank, for treatment and distribution to the surrounding environment. The treated effluent then evaporates into the atmosphere when exposed to air and sunlight.
If the leach field fails to function, then the entire septic and sewer system is bound to fail as well. For this reason, it is crucial to take care of your drain field for optimum performance of your entire septic system.
Below are some common causes of drain field failure.
Old Age
Like any other waste disposal system, your drain field has a lifespan that does not go beyond 30 years. This means that it is more likely to fail when it reaches a certain age. Notably, as the drain field continues to age, you might notice more episodes of water backups, clogged pipes and slow drains in your home’s piping system.
This is a sign that your leach field can no longer function at its best. At this point, replacing the aging drain field helps to prevent the entire septic system from grinding to a halt.
Sludge Overload
The function of this drain field is to hold and treat effluent until it percolates into the soil and eventually into the atmosphere. However, this field can only hold a certain amount of wastewater at a time. Too much effluent will not only clog the lateral lines along the drain field but also form sludge.
The presence of excess sludge might kill good bacteria and lead to septic problems. To avoid clogging the soil and forming excess sludge, it is imperative to use water sparingly. This will reduce the amount of wastewater that goes to the drain field, subsequently allowing the field ample time to go through the disposal cycle.
Crushing Damage
One of the most common causes of septic tank and drain field problems is excess weight from a heavy load. Parking your vehicle on top of the drain field or placing items on the field might damage sewer pipes and compact the soil, subsequently leading to a malfunction of the septic system.
Apparently, the best place to install your drain field is in the front yard. However, this might prove to be a problem since this location experiences the highest traffic. With this in mind, it is advisable to erect a physical barrier to prevent people from encroaching or parking their vehicles.
Flooding and Excessive Rainfall
Flooding and excessive rainfall are other possible causes of drain field failure. In areas prone to flooding, your septic tank and drain field are at a high risk of having an overflow due to excess water.
This might lead to serious problems with your waste disposal system. To reduce the impact of flooding, it is advisable to install gutters, in order to divert excess water away from the drain field. Alternatively, you may engage the services of a professional to help manage the stormwater.
Failure to Pump
It is always a good idea to have your septic system pumped at least once every two or three years, depending on the number of people in your household. This will clear all the sludge, hence preventing water backups and clogging of pipes.
Failure to pump might only lead to flooding of your drain field and buildup of sewage in your septic system. For this reason, it is only logical to hire a sewer system expert to pump out the sludge.
Do You Need Assistance With Your Drain Field?
Identifying leach field problems is certainly not a do-it-yourself task, but a technical job that requires professional expertise. The best you can do is to learn how to prevent sewer system problems and spot any possible signs of drain field failure.
The only surest means of diagnosing and solving drain field problems is to call a professional septic and sewer service provider. If properly installed, and well maintained, a leach field can last for about 25 years devoid of any malfunctions.
With the help of a professional such as those at All Septic & Sewer, you can make the most of your septic system for years to come without spending much on costly repairs.