3 Tips for Better Drainfield Care
- By Admin
- •
- 05 Apr, 2019
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A septic system relies on many different parts working in perfect harmony to successfully process waste. If you overlook any of these components when it comes to routine maintenance, your septic system could fail. The drainfield is one part of the septic system that homeowners might not know much about.
Liquid waste that has been separated from solid waste is released from the septic tank into the drainfield through a series of parallel pipes. The soil in the drainfield filters and absorbs this liquid, allowing you to prevent a dangerous sewage backup from plaguing your home.
You need to do some specific things to help ensure that your drainfield functions properly in the future.
1. Keep the Surface Above the Drainfield Clear
You need to know exactly where your drainfield is located so that you can keep the surface above this area clear. Heavy objects like a parked car or storage shed could cause the pipes that service your drainfield to shift. This will result in improper drainage that might lead to serious plumbing problems in the future.
If you aren't sure where your drainfield is located, you can pull the original permit for the installation of your property's septic system from city records. This permit will show you exactly where your drainfield lies so that you can avoid driving over the parallel pipes that lie beneath the ground.
You also want to avoid planting any foliage that might damage your drainfield pipes. Specifically, avoid any foliage with deep roots that might penetrate drainfield pipes and cause permanent damage. Shallow-rooted, herbaceous plants, on the other hand, can help prevent soil erosion within the drainfield and enhance drainage capabilities.
2. Watch What You Put Down Drains
The quality of your drainfield is directly connected to the types of products you allow to enter the drains in your home. Water and bathroom waste can easily be processed by the septic tank. If only these types of waste are flushed down drains, the effluent released from the septic tank into the drainfield is relatively clear and easy to disperse.
Problems occur when grease and oils find their way into your drains. These products form a film over the top of any water source they come into contact with. The film, along with wastewater, will be flushed into the drainfield.
Grease and oil can clog up the drainfield pipes and prevent your septic system from working properly. If you want to extend the life of your drainfield, be sure that you avoid putting anything that might contain grease or oil into the drains in your home.
3. Pump Your Septic Tank Often
One of the biggest mistakes that homeowners make when caring for a septic system is failing to have the tank pumped often enough. A tank that becomes too full is unable to separate solid and liquid wastes with ease. This results in the release of solid waste into the drainfield.
Since the pipes within the drainfield are not equipped to handle solid waste products, clogs form and waste processing comes to a halt. A drainfield that has been clogged with solid waste will need to be abandoned. Remember to have your septic tank pumped every three years or so to avoid the costly expense of establishing a new drainfield for your home.
The drainfield plays an important role in the overall function of your septic system. Take action to ensure you maintain the health of your drainfield at all times.
Contact Allen's Septic Tank Service for more information on ways that you can increase the efficiency and life span of your drainfield.
