If you have a septic system, don't forget that it consists of much more than an underground tank. Your septic system also includes a drainfield, an underground distribution network that is essential for pushing wastewater out into the surrounding soil. Should it fail, your entire septic system will come to a grinding halt and cause a gigantic, expensive mess. Below is more information on why drainfields fail and how to know if trouble is brewing, and what you can do to keep your drainfield operational for many years to come:
Understanding drainfields in septic systems
A septic drainfield consists of perforated pipes laid in underground trenches encased in gravel. The number of pipes used, as well as their lengths, depends on the amount of effluent (incoming wastewater from the home), as well as the drainage characteristics of the surrounding soil. In a drainfield that is operating as designed, the wastewater that leaves the septic tank after solids are deposited flows through the pipes and is slowly leached into the gravel and soil. This process should occur in such a manner that soil saturation is never present and the drainfield remains dry at ground level.
The causes of drainfield failure
Septic drainfield failure primarily occurs due to oversaturation of the system. When a septic system experiences a continually high volume of incoming wastewater, the drainfield remains perpetually wet. As a consequence, bacterial growth around and inside the pipes and gravel becomes explosive, and thick, impenetrable slime mats will form. Once the water is no longer allowed to flow out of the pipes, the entire system will shut down and become non-functional.
It is also important to note that sources of water other than septic effluent can cause oversaturation and failure. Runoff from irrigation or hard surfaces such as roofs and driveways can also lead to problems with a consistently wet drainfield.
Know the signs of drainfield failure
Once it happens, there is little doubt that a drainfield failure has occurred due to its visible signs. Below is a list of several indicators of drainfield collapse:
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Excessive growth of grass and plants in area around drainfield
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Boggy, wet soil with standing water in places
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Noxious odor reminiscent of sewage or a swamp environment
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Backup of wastewater inside home, particularly in floor-mounted drains such as those found in shower pans
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Poor-flushing toilets that clog easily and make gurgling or bubbling sounds
Once a drainfield collapses and becomes clogged, fixing the problem often involves digging up the entire underground structure and replacing it with new pipe and gravel. The bacterial mat is difficult to kill unless the septic system is allowed to dry completely for extended periods of time, which may be impossible depending on the circumstances.
What you can do to prevent drainfield failure
As you can see, once a failure occurs, it is often too late to avoid expensive replacement of the drainfield. That is why you must take care of your drainfield to keep it working as designed. Below are a couple of steps you can take to make sure the drainfield stays functional:
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Control the amount of graywater flowing into system - The water that leaves your washing machine, dishwasher, sinks and showers is known as graywater and may be discharged into a non-septic system basin if local laws and regulations permit. By doing so, you can lessen the amount of liquids flowing into the drainfield. Consult your local regulatory authority on septic systems and visit with your plumber about re-routing graywater if permissible in your locale.
If diverting graywater flow is impossible, then you should still exercise caution by reducing the amount of water discharged into the tank. Take practical steps such as minimizing shower times, using high-efficiency washing machines and dishwashers and not leaving water running at faucets needlessly.
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Keep septic tank solids at a minimal level - It is critical to keep solids from accumulating above maximum-allowed levels in order to prevent drainfield failure. If solids are too high, the volume of liquid being pushed out of the tank and into the drainfield will also be too high, and saturation will be the end result. That is why you should adhere to a regular schedule of inspection and pumping through a company like Rob's Septic Tanks Inc.