How To Repair a Drain Field
If you have a septic tank on your property, a drain field is an essential component of the system. Once household waste has passed through the septic tank, it moves into the drain field, where the surrounding aggregate filters harmful bacteria.
While regular maintenance can keep your septic tank and drain field working optimally, things can go wrong from time to time. Due to this, it’s important to know how to recognize a problem and what to do about it.
Common Drain Field Issues
One of the most common problems to arise when drain field are working improperly is a visible wastewater or sewage appearing in the drain field. If you can see water on the surface of the drain field, it’s a sure sign that something’s gone wrong. A leak in a pipe or a collapsed pipe can be a primary cause of wastewater appearing on the surface of a drain field, particularly if the problem occurs fairly suddenly.
A lack of air in the aggregate can also be a common cause of issues with your drain field. If you use heavy machinery or park vehicles on or near your drain field, for example, air will be compressed, and the aggregate will be unable to filter and distribute the wastewater effectively.
If a septic tank isn’t cleaned regularly, it will begin to work more inefficiently. You may notice water is draining more slowly in sinks in your home or that toilets are slow to flush, for example. When this happens, swift action is needed to prevent further problems from arising.
Identifying Drain Field Problems
When you notice something isn’t quite right with your septic tank or drain field, it’s important to identify the cause of the problem as quickly as possible. If left unresolved, a relatively minor issue can turn into a major problem, so don’t hesitate to seek expert advice.
Maintaining and repairing drain fields requires experience and expertise, and it can be dangerous to attempt to do it yourself. If you don’t have professional equipment or you aren’t sure why your drain field isn’t functioning properly, it’s always best to get professional help.
How to Resolve Drain Field Issues
Some issues, such as slow draining water, can be resolved by pumping out the septic tank to remove clogs in the system. Of course, you’ll need industry-grade equipment and the appropriate certifications to do this, which means contacting professionals for drain field repair Illinois is essential. You could be breaching health regulations by attempting to do this yourself, but professionals can ensure your septic tank is properly maintained.
When leaks or cracks in the pipes from your septic tank or drain field are affecting its function, replacement pipes need to be installed. These pipes can’t usually be patched, which means replacing them is the only option.
In addition to this, improper septic tank installation can lead to drain field issues. By having the system assessed by an experienced professional, you can determine exactly what’s causing issues with your drain field and find out the quickest and most cost-effective way to resolve them.
