Septic maintenance, including as having your tank pumped and serviced, is important for the health of your septic system. But what if you need a septic system repaired, or even a septic tank installation? What if you have a failing drainfield?
A typical cause of drainfield failure is too much wastewater being put into them. If your septic system is properly designed, it allows for a specific amount of wastewater. That amount is calculated by how many bedrooms are in the house, with two people per bedroom being the standard. If you push too much water into your drain lines, they don’t have time to dry out. They can also form a slimy mat of bacteria on the inside of the trench walls, which keeps water from seeping through and evaporating in the normal fashion.
How do you know your drainfield is failing? Look for these signs:
- Gurgling drains
- Slow drains
- Water coming up through the first floor drains
- Wet spots in the yard
If you are noticing these problems on a heavy use day such as laundry day, your drainfield may have problems. Unfortunately, there is no simple fix for a failing drainfield. Unless you have a clog in the system that can be routed out, the usual way to get the drainfield back to its normal operation is to let it dry out completely for a few months. What this means in practical terms is that a new drainfield trench must be dug out.
Of course, the depth and location of the new drainfield depends on a number of factors, such as the configuration of your yard and house, the soil type, how your land slopes, and other factors. In most states, septic installation and septic repair falls under local health departments. Let the experts here at Sunset Septic help out with all your septic system installation questions.
