The cost of replacing a drain field and septic tank can eclipse $20,000. That’s why it’s often a much better idea to attempt drain field rehabilitation before you try to replace the whole thing.
But it can be difficult to understand what this process looks like if you’re not in the septic industry. That’s why we’ve put together this article. It covers everything you need to know about drain field repairs to help you figure out what comes next for your property.
Keep reading to learn more about drain field rehabilitation and how they work.
What Is Drain Field Rehabilitation?
Your drain field (also called a leach field) is one of the most important parts of your septic system. But it can experience various kinds of problems throughout its lifespan.
For example, you might encounter hydraulic overloading when the system takes on too much wastewater or biological overload when too much organic matter gets stuck in the field.
When these kinds of issues happen, your septic system will either stop working entirely or lose enough efficiency to become noticeable and troublesome. At that point, you have two options.
You can either replace the entire drain field or septic system (which can cost thousands to do), or you can rehabilitate the drain field to fix the problem and get it back to working order at a lower price.
A leach field can last 50 years or more, so it’s typically worth looking for a rehabilitation solution before you consider replacing the entire system.
Understanding The Different Kinds Of Drain Field Rehabilitation
Now that we know what drain field rehabilitation is and why it’s worth looking into, let’s take a look at the most common types of leach field rehabilitation. Here are four methods that may be a fit for your property.
Jetting And Mechanical Aeration
As you use your septic system over time, sludge and slime can build up to block pipes. Jetting and mechanical aeration are two tactics that can be used to de-clog the pipes and improve flow throughout your system.
Jetting involves the use of forceful bursts of water to blow away debris that’s been stuck in the line. Mechanical aeration is the process of fracturing the soil around the problematic pipes to introduce new natural drainage lines that improve flow.
Terralifting
Another issue that can come up with septic systems is the accumulation of bio-mat beneath distribution lines and on the walls of trenches. Terralifting is a rehabilitation strategy designed to fix this.
The process involves inserting a long, narrow probe and an integral pneumatic hammer into the soil to depths of between 3 and 6 feet. Air is forced through this probe into the soil to create cracks in it and blast apart unwanted bio-mat.
This gets repeated every 4 feet or so until the problem is resolved. After the terralifting is finished, your septic system should be back in working order.
Installing Clean-Outs And Vents
Jetting and terralifting are typically the first two solutions considered for a problematic drain field. But if neither works, a service provider may consider installing clean-outs and vents.
These act as real-time monitoring systems that look at your septic system’s flow and work to prevent clogs and flooding when problems are identified. This is a preventative solution that should help you avoid experiencing similar kinds of leach field issues in the future.
Leach Field Treatments
Depending on the nature of your drain field problem, you may also be able to consider leach field treatments as a solution. These involve using chemical agents to break up clogs, reduce smells, and restore the chemical balance your field needs to function properly.
Leach field treatments can be as simple as using baking soda and yeast to chew away unwanted clogs. They can also be complex chemical mixtures that are designed to resolve the specific issues your field is experiencing.
Contact All Septic & Sewer To Start Your Drain Field Rehabilitation Process Today
If you’re in Washington state and call King, Pierce, or Thurston county home, then All Septic & Sewer is here to help you resolve your drain field issues. Our trained specialists take advantage of the latest technology and always make your needs their priority.
But don’t take our word for it. Get in touch to learn more about how we can resolve the problems you’ve been experiencing. You can also follow our Facebook page to learn more about who we are and how we’ve helped clients like you in the past.
We hope to hear from you soon.