A septic system’s drain field, or leach field, is a series of perforated pipes that filter and cleanse wastewater before it reaches groundwater. It requires sunlight to function effectively.
Plants with aggressive roots can clog and damage drain lines. To avoid this, consider using a root barrier or hiring a professional for mechanical aeration.
Septic System Maintenance
The septic system’s drain field (a leach field) is an important part of your home wastewater treatment. It removes contaminants from sewage and allows the soil to absorb and treat it before it leaves your house.
It’s also a good idea to record tank pumping and inspections. And to avoid non-biodegradable waste materials, including plastics, diapers, sanitary napkins, paints, motor oils, pesticides, and fertilizers, from entering the septic tank and contaminating groundwater. Proper septic tank and drain field maintenance can last 30 years or more. However, it’s important to be prepared for a drain field replacement in the future. You must understand where your septic system’s drain field is located and stay clear of it. Planting shrubs or trees with aggressive root systems near the drain field can clog and damage it. And driving or parking vehicles over the area can compact the soil and prevent it from properly treating septic wastewater.
Soil Conditions
The soil in your drain field is where wastewater and septic system solids are treated by microorganisms, turning them into inert organic matter and allowing them to be absorbed into the groundwater. If the soil is not functioning correctly, odors can enter your home.
If you see liquid surfacing above the drain field, the soil is saturated, and the microbial treatment process is being impaired. This also can cause the drain field to become ponded, which shortens its life expectancy.
The texture and permeability of your soil determine how well your septic system works. Loamy soils (which contain a mix of sand, silt, and clay) are preferred because they strike a balance between drainage and absorption. It is important to keep plants, animals, and debris away from the drain field to prevent them from clogging the pipes. Shallow-rooted herbaceous plants such as flowering annuals and perennials, grasses, and weeds can be planted over the drain field and are unlikely to clog or damage the pipes.
Septic Tank Capacity
Most commercial septic systems have a drain field, an array of perforated pipes where wastewater seeps into the soil. The septic tank provides the initial treatment for sewage, and the drain field filters and absorbs it naturally. If the drain field becomes overloaded with too much waste, it will not function as intended. Symptoms include foul odor, soggy and wet areas over the drain field, or slow-draining toilets.
Homebuyers often find that their new homes have septic tanks and drain fields too small for the family’s water usage. Fortunately, some things can be done to help avoid the need for a new drain field.
The best thing homeowners can do is to limit their water usage and not dump anything down the drains other than normal waste. It is also important not to plant trees, shrubs, or vegetable gardens over the drain field because their roots can ensnarl and clog the drain field pipes.
Septic System Design
Ideally, a septic system will treat household waste and return clean water to the soil. This is accomplished by transporting wastewater below ground and allowing soil microbes to work to filter and cleanse the water before it reaches groundwater supplies.
To determine the appropriate size drain field, a soil scientist must consider the household’s sewage flow rate, water usage per fixture and septic tank capacity. Soil percolation testing is also important as it helps soil scientists select a suitable location for the drain field within the property.
It is crucial to remember that the drain field needs full sun to perform optimally. Avoid driving or parking over the drain field; do not plant trees, shrubs, or other tall vegetation. Similarly, refrain from flushing anything other than toilet paper down the drains; non-degradable objects clog pipes and disrupt the microbiological treatment of sewage. In addition, it’s best to limit water consumption to reduce the volume of sewage entering the septic system.