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Leach fields are also known as Septic Tank Drain Fields.
They are wastewater disposal facilities found on the sub-surface of the drain fields, which perform the job of erasing impurities, debris, and contaminants from the liquid that spring forth after what is called anaerobic digestion in the septic tank.
These leach fields are a series of trenches, most as high as 100ft and a 1 – 3ft width. And in this article, we will be discussing how to fix a saturated leach field!
How To Fix A Saturated Leach Field
It is not as complicated as it sounds.
Expensive? Well, maybe.
Read on to find out how to fix a saturated leach field professionally.
How serious is the case of a saturated leach field?
Issues with a saturated leach field often translate into heavy expenses, but it is straightforward. If you think this process is expensive, wait until the problem lingers and becomes complex, it gets all the more expensive to fix.
Saturation of the leach field is what happens when the soil becomes too drenched with water. In this situation, it is unable to process impurities and contaminants.
The result is water filled with solid or liquid waste that eventually backs upright in your septic tank and then finds its way into the intricate plumbing system in your home.
Below are a few ways a saturated leach field can be fixed.
- Redirect rainwater away from your roof gutters to keep them away from the leach field
- Have a professional from a reputable septic tank servicing company hired to help pump out the septic tank
This should be done as quickly as possible before the issue deteriorates.
You should also note that until the leach servicing guy comes around to have it fixed, minimal or better still, no water will be used.
In summary and to further explain better, a saturated leach field can be fixed by pumping out the septic system. This will help take out everything that threatens to cause a backup. Pumping out of the septic system may seem easy to carry out all by yourself, but it is a professional job.
With a professional, the entire septic system is thoroughly scrutinized for any other issue that may pose a threat to your plumbing system in the nearest future. Professional septic tank servicing guys can also help dish out helpful tips to ensure the occurrence does not repeat.
How To Stop Saturation Of The Leach Field From Happening
“Prevention, they say, is far better than cure.”
In other words, it is easier and more rewarding to follow guidelines on avoiding a case of the saturation of the leach field than going against it and having to spend unnecessary funds to rectify the situation.
The simplest way to prevent saturation of the leach field from happening is by proper and religious maintenance of your septic tank.
What key things do you need to do to maintain your septic tank?
For starters, see to the regular pumping out of the tanks and have a professional inspect it from time to time.
Inspection of the tank is to be done by a professional as they are the only ones who can confirm the septic system to be in perfect working condition.
Try also to go natural and avoid bathroom products that kill bacteria.
Unknown to a lot of people, the health of the tank is dependent on bacteria.
This is why natural eco-friendly soaps and bathroom cleaning products are advised for you, and antibacterial soaps are not.
Another option that will see you prevent the saturation of the leach field is to begin using biological additives to the entire system.
If you are unsure of which biological additives to use, your regular septic tank inspector will be more than happy to recommend some to you.
In addition, do not attempt to place anything over your drain field, not even a tarp. Anything that will keep water from evaporating from its surface.
Lastly, there is a way you can accelerate water evaporation from the surface of your drain field by growing shrubs or flowers that have features of a shallow root system.
The logic behind this is that plants with shallow roots constantly need water to survive and, as such, will naturally suck up the water directly from the drain field, which will, in no small measure, assist in preventing soil saturation.
How To Know If Your Leach Field Is Saturated
Now that you know how to prevent the occurrence of the saturation of the leach field, it would also be wise to know how to detect when it does happen.
Early detection is also important as the issue can easily be sorted out before it deteriorates.
What are the Telling Signs of a Saturated Leach Field?
You know your leach field is saturated when your once-fast drains in the house become slow.
This is usually one of the earliest signs. Slow drains in kitchens and toilets are reliable signs that all is not well with your leach drain.
A gurgling sound emanating from the toilet and other drains is another sure sign to know that your leach field is saturated.
Now, back to what we were saying earlier about the early detection of these signs.
If all these signs go unnoticed, the issue escalates, and you will see water backing up into the floor drains and basements.
The whole matter just got worse at this stage. Our friendly advisors will be for you to know the signs, be super observant and wrap up the problem in the bud as soon as the earliest signs manifest.
Conclusion
For septic tank owners, it is wise to know how to properly maintain it, as plumbing repairs do not come cheap. There is a need to understand what a leach field is, how it functions, signs that show it is saturated, how to prevent it from being saturated first, and the right steps to take when it happens.
Thankfully, you will get to know all these and more after reading this article. Finally, always remember that the key to averting all sorts of issues with your septic system, including the saturation of leach fields is maintenance.
Proper and regular maintenance is simply the key.
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