Easy Tips to Avoid Problems With a Leach Field
A septic drain field also called a leach field, is essential to a septic system. It’s made up of an arrangement of perforated pipes that are buried in the ground near the septic tank. The lines disperse wastewater from the tank into the subsurface soil to be filtered and purified naturally. This process helps protect groundwater from contamination.
The drain field is an integral part of a septic system, as it prevents the septic tank from becoming overwhelmed with water and prevents contaminants from leaching into the environment. Properly caring for the drain field can help extend its life, saving money and protecting the environment, so this blog will share tips to help prevent drain field problems.
Maintenance
Maintenance is vital for keeping the leach field safe from threats that may reduce reliability. One important step for maintaining the drain field is pumping the septic tank out every few years. When septic tanks fill up with waste, solids can enter the leach field. If enough solids reach the drain field, clogs can occur that stop the wastewater flow. Pumping the tank out removes solids that may travel to the leach field and cause problems.
Besides pumping out the tank, maintenance involves inspecting the entire system, from the tank and piping to the drainage field. Regularly scheduled inspections help prevent costly issues by spotting potential problems before they become bigger issues. Professional drain field maintenance helps to ensure that the tank and drainage system is free of clogs, sludge buildup, and other debris that can cause septic problems. By regularly checking for these potential problems and taking action to address them promptly, further issues can be avoided.
Keep Dangers Away
Drain fields are somewhat delicate, so protecting them from hazards is crucial to keeping them in service. To protect the leach field of a septic system, consider the following:
- Stop trees roots from damaging the drain field with root barriers
- Not planting anything other than grass near the leach field
- Prevent heavy machinery like vehicles from passing over or parking on or near them
- Diverting surface water away from the leach field to ensure effluent has the priority in absorbing into the soils
Watch What Enters the Septic System
Installing a new drain field is an expensive and time-consuming endeavor. Therefore, it is best to protect the existing drain field. Since septic systems can only handle certain types of waste, and the wrong materials can cause clogging and damage drain fields, homeowners should watch what enters their septic system.
To keep a septic tank and drain field working correctly, keep these items out of a home’s drains and toilets:
- Anything other than toilet paper: Regardless if the home has a septic system or not, this is good advice. Keep debris out of the toilet and sewer lines, as they can cause clogs in sewer lines and septic systems.
- Cooking grease: Cooking grease disrupts the natural bacterial action in a septic tank and can’t be processed. It will also cling to the tank’s walls, cause clogs, and greatly reduce the volume requiring more frequent septic pumping visits.
- Wipes: Wipes should never be flushed, but they are particularly bad for septic tanks because they clump up in the tank and can clog lateral lines.
- Soaps that aren’t septic safe: Unapproved soaps upset the bacteria in a tank. To be safe, only use septic-safe soaps and detergents.
About Rocket Rooter Plumbing
Rocket Rooter Plumbing is a family-owned and operated business serving Summerfield, FL, and the surrounding areas. They provide flat-rate pricing, free quotes, and 24/7 emergency service. Call them today for drain field repair and maintenance in Summerfield, FL.
