Septic Tank Drain Field Repair & Replacement

After the wastewater from your home goes down the drain, it collects in the septic tank. Different chambers inside the tank separate fat, solids, and liquids. The fat floats to the top. The solids sink and are broken down by naturally occurring bacteria. The liquid slowly flows into the drain field, which is an array of perforated pipes. Tiny holes in these pipes allow the liquid to seep back into the soil, where it’s filtered and can safely return to the groundwater.

Septic drain fields are known by many names, including:

• Drain fields
• Leach fields
• Weeping tiles
• Absorption beds
• Disposal fields
• Seepage fields

Whatever you prefer to call it, you need it to work the right way.

The different types of septic field lines include:

• Gravity systems: The most common septic drain field design that most people are familiar with.
• Pressure distribution systems: Similar to gravity systems, except they use a pump to move effluent through pipes and chambers.
• Mound systems: Involves building an artificial drain field above ground for homes with high water tables.
• Cesspools: They are most common in homes built before 1970 and allow effluent to seep out of one chamber rather than a system of perforated pipes.
• Drywells: Similar to cesspools, drywells add a layer of gravel or crushed rock around the chamber for better effluent absorption.

Leach field lines must be buried at least six inches below the soil surface. How deep your drain lines are will depend on your property’s topography and where the septic tank will be located in relation to the home’s main drain line.

Most residential septic tank drain field layouts are unique. The design can depend on factors like the size of your septic system and the area’s topography. However, pipes are usually arranged around 8-10 feet apart in a grid pattern. On sloped properties, drain fields are generally installed lower than the septic tank.

If you’ve been experiencing a seemingly endless list of septic drain field problems, it’s only natural to question whether you can repair a septic drain field. Repairs are often best left in the capable hands of expert plumbers like Mr. Rooter Plumbing^®.

Whether or not you can perform septic tank drain field repairs depends on the nature of the failure. Your chosen expert will assess your entire system, including the tank, pumps, and floats. They may then suggest repair methods like jetting to clear debris, additives to restore functionality, and mechanical aeration to create new drainage lines. Septic drain field replacement can also be a suggested outcome. Whatever the recommended action, fixing septic drain fields is a task for the experts!

How much your septic tank drain field repair costs can depend on the nature of the failure. A simple clog is generally more cost-effective than improperly installed pipes that call for an all-new septic drain field installation. Call your locally owned and operated Mr. Rooter Plumbing® for more information or request a job estimate online.

Most septic drain fields consist of trenches around 100 feet long, 30 inches deep, and 18 inches wide. However, every drain field design is different. Contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing^® for more information relevant to your unique septic drain field design.