Signs You Need Septic Tank Drain Field Repair
Is your septic drain field failing? Here's what you need to know.
What Is a Septic System?
A septic system is a self-contained unit that treats and disposes of household sewage. While some homes connect to a city-wide wastewater system, other homes have their own septic system that services just their house. It consists of three main parts: your home's plumbing, the tank, and the drain field.
The tank is where all of the sewage from your home collects. It stores the gray and black water long enough for the solid waste to settle to the bottom while the liquids float to the top. The solids are broken down over time through a process called digestion, and the liquids are released into the drain field, where they are filtered and absorbed into the soil.
What Is a Septic Tank Drain Field?
A drain field, also known as a leach field or leach bed, is an important part of your septic system. The purpose of a drain field is to remove contaminants from the wastewater that comes from your home before it seeps back into the groundwater. If you have a problem with your drain field, it is important to act quickly to repair it.
How do You Know Your Septic Tank Drain Field Is Failing?
Most homeowners don't give their septic system a second thought — until something goes wrong. If you start noticing any of the following signs, it's a good indication that your drain field is failing and needs to be repaired.
- Soggy spots. If you notice any soggy patches in your yard, it's a sign that effluent from your septic tank is leaking out and not being properly absorbed by the drain field. This can happen if the soil in your drain field is compacted or if tree roots have invaded the system.
- Slow drains. If the drains in your home are draining more slowly than usual, it could be because the leach field is overloaded and can't keep up with the demand. This is often caused by overuse of water in the house, such as running multiple loads of laundry back-to-back or taking long showers.
- Strong odors. Another sign that effluent is escaping from the septic tank is an unpleasant smell coming from the area of the leach field. This is caused by a buildup of methane gas produced when sewage breaks down.
How Is a Septic Tank Drain Field Repaired?
Septic tank drain field repair is best left to the professionals. Repairs are difficult. While it could be something as simple as a clogged pipe or tree roots blocking the system, leach field failure typically indicates that you need a new field installed.
If you notice any of these signs, call a septic tank drain field repair professional right away to assess the situation and make repairs. Ignoring the problem will only make it worse and could eventually lead to sewage backing up into your home, which is something you definitely want to avoid.
