Septic drain fields, also called leach fields or leach drains, are
subsurface wastewater disposal facilities used to remove contaminants and impurities from the liquid that emerges after anaerobic digestion in a septic tank
. Organic materials in the liquid are catabolized by a microbial ecosystem.
How does a leach work?
How Does a Leach Field Work? The lines or pipes in the septic leach field have small holes along their sides and bottom. As the wastewater flows through the pipes, it
leaches into the gravel, sand, or soil surrounding them
. The solid waste remains in the septic tank, stopped by a filter.
Why do you need a leach field?
The leach field is
for disposing of organic materials that have already been catabolized by a microbial ecosystem
; it gets rid of what is left after the bacteria have eaten what waste they will eat. The leach field will typically contain a system of trenches and gravel (or another porous material) covered in soil.
How long does leach last?
Under normal conditions and good care, a leach-field will last for
50 years or more
. Concrete septic tanks are sturdy and reliable but not indestructible.
What happens when a leach field goes bad?
A clogged leach field will compromise the entire system. It can result in
sewage backups in the house, septic odors, sewage leakage on the lawn, and contamination of groundwater
. To avoid these and more problems related to leachfield failure, you should unclog your leachfield through shock treatment.
Is it safe to play on a leach field?
Children and pets can run and play safely on the grass above the drain field
. Your family can walk on a well-maintained drain field without fear of encountering puddles of affluent and dangerous bacteria. Bicycles and tricycles are also acceptable because they are not heavy enough to compress or disturb the soil.
How deep is a leach field?
A standard leach line is considered to be three (3) feet wide and
three (3) feet deep
with a length as required.
Does shower water go into septic tank?
From your house to the tank:
Most, but not all,
septic systems operate via gravity to the septic tank
. Each time a toilet is flushed, water is turned on or you take a shower, the water and waste flows via gravity through the plumbing system in your house and ends up in the septic tank.
How do I know where my leach field is?
Look at your yard
.
Although it is common to not have any signs of the drainfield location, look for lines of green grass, dead grass, or depressed areas. These could be signs of your drainfield location. Check for septic records with the permitting authority (usually the county), the installer, or the designer.
Does a leach field smell?
A properly-maintained septic tank
should be odor-free
, so if you notice a bad smell inside your home or outside near the leach field, it’s a sign that there’s a problem. … Septic odors are caused by gases in the system, including carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and methane.
How much does it cost to replace a leach field?
Although costs vary according to the size of the leach field, soils and costs of local permits, expect to pay
between $5,000 and $20,000
for leach field replacement. It is the most expensive component of the septic system.
How do I know if my leach field is failing?
The following are a few common signs of leach field failure:
Grass over leach field is greener than the rest of the yard
.
The surrounding area is wet, mushy, or
even has standing water. Sewage odors around drains, tank, or leach field.
Can a leach field be restored?
A drainfield that isn’t working properly could result in clogged drains and the release of raw sewage on the ground’s surface. A failing drainfield can, and should,
be restored quickly to
avoid permanent damage. Biological, organic, and inorganic additives can be used to restore functionality to a failing drainfield.
When should I replace my leach field?
A leach field lifespan is usually
15 to 25 years
, though some estimates place it at 25 to 30 years.
How do you maintain a leach field?
- Minimize the use of the garbage disposal.
- Do not put grease down your drains.
- Spread loads of laundry out over time rather than doing multiple loads in a short period of time, and use liquid detergents rather than powdered detergents.
- Avoid excessively long showers.
Can you put pavers over a septic drain field?
You can’t build a paver patio on top of a septic tank
, and doing so could be against the planning laws of your state or local area. Septic tanks can take very little weight without getting damaged, and you’ll also need access to the tank in the future too. You shouldn’t build a deck on one either.
