Southern Water and Soil, Inc., completed a drainfield replacement project in Lutz, Florida. The drainfield was expanded due to poor performance of the previous septic system. The original drainfield was much smaller in size and did not have enough drainfield installed for the amount of water used. If you are having drainfield drainage problems or slow draining plumbing due to your septic system drainfield then give SWS a call. We are available to diagnose your septic system problems. At SWS, we want you to be educated as to what is the best drainfield system for your home.

Diagnosing a Drain Field Failure

By Amanda Furmage-Deck

When household plumbing features back up, effluent appears on the surface of your lawn, and foul odors permeate the air, your septic system may be damaged. Although a simple septic tank pumping can solve most wastewater problems, sometimes the issue may lurk below the surface. Your drain field may be in danger.

As discussed in the previous post, drain fields play a vital role within the septic system. After exiting the septic tank, wastewater flows into the drain field pipes where it’s later absorbed and cleaned by the soil below. The drain field is an on-site wastewater recycling center and, without this significant feature, your septic system will not work.

Not only do the experts at Southern Water and Soil, Inc. install new drain fields, they will also repair failing drain field systems. Owner Greg Mayfield has over 20 years experience in environmental science and wastewater management and can quickly diagnose any drain field dilemma. Below are some things Southern Water and Soil will look for when examining your failing drain field.

Broken Drain Field Pipes

Drain field pipes can be found deep beneath your grassy lawn. However, activity taking place on the surface can cause significant damage to your system. Building structures such as patios, pools, and carports on top of, driving and parking vehicles over, and allowing large livestock to graze around the drain field can compact the surrounding soil. Soil compaction can result in depleted soil oxygen levels and cracked pipes. Nearby trees and shrubs can also break drain pipes as roots are attracted to the nutrient-rich soil surrounding the drain field.

Water Saturated Drain Field Soil Absorption Area

High water tables, poor soil conditions, and rainfall run-off can flood the soil absorption area that lies below the drain field pipes. When the soil absorption area is saturated, effluent can’t move down. Instead, untreated wastewater will seep up onto the surface of your lawn.

Unbalanced Bio-mat Bacteria

Two types of bacteria are present in a conventional septic drain field: aerobic (uses oxygen) and anaerobic (doesn’t use oxygen). When nutrient-rich wastewater enters the soil absorption area, a natural bio-mat or biofilm forms. This layer is composed of beneficial aerobic and anaerobic bacteria that slow down the flow of effluent while breaking down organic waste and removing pathogens at the same time. Without the bio-mat, wastewater would not be treated and could pollute the water table.

Bio-Mat Under Drainfield

The more a septic system is used, the less aerobic bacteria is present in the soil. As a result, anaerobic bacteria builds up and slows down the draining system to the point that the soil cannot absorb any more water. An unbalanced bio-film can cause the entire septic system to fail.

Tipped Distribution Box

Effluent enters the distribution box, or D-box, before flowing into the drain field pipes. The purpose of D-box is to ensure effluent is distributed evenly throughout the drain field system. On occasion, the D-box can tip or clog, causing one drain field line to flood.

Clogged Drain Field Pipes

When septic tanks aren’t pumped regularly, solids can build up in the tank and enter the drain field. Most of the time, these solids are composed of biodegradable materials that can be removed with special products or equipment. Yet, sometimes non-biodegradable substances such as disposable diapers and plastic products can clog the pipes, causing more significant damage to your septic system. To prevent sludge and scum build-up in your drain field lines, follow these helpful guidelines.

When your drain field is a problem, Southern Water and Soil, Inc. has the cost-effective solution you need. Be sure to call the SWS experts before a septic system disaster occurs.

When it rains there are several things to consider to help your septic system endure during these times. First of all have your septic system maintenance prior to the summer rains. Make sure the septic system is completely sealed with septic tank risers and lids that create water tight connections. A leaking septic tank can allow rain water and roof runoff enter the septic tank and wash solids into your drainfield. This can cause a premature failure of your septic system and cause the septic system to back up in the house.

Making sure that roof gutters and downspouts are directed away from your septic system is imperative. This will eliminate excess water from entering the system and allow your septic system to function properly. If the septic tank is older than 10-15 years old you need to have the tank checked for leaks and structural integrity. As concrete ages there can be cracks and structural problems that can occur. In times of rain events and where the water table is high can change the functioning of the septic system.

Rain water can take up drainage space where your drainfield usually drains out. As the water table comes up and there is more rain then there is nowhere for water to go except back into the house. A drainage plan can be developed to ease stress placed on your septic system from rain storms.

Southern Water and Soil, Inc., can help you design a septic system that provides protection from rain water and drainage issues. Give us a call or shoot us an email.

Risers and lids that seal the septic system.

Septic System Design and Engineering

Residential • Commercial

SWS is your single source solution for services, which means you get accountability from the beginning to the completion of your project.  We are able to combine the cost of the engineering, permitting, installation, and maintenance with our full circle of services.

Design and Engineering 

When an actual site engineering project is defined either by a concept plan, an architectural study or other means, SWS designs final site plan packages from the simplest single family home addition site plan to more complex, multi-tenanted major shopping center projects. The design of a new septic system or the repair of an existing system begins with the needs and wants of the client.

Septic Tank Problems

In general, septic drain field problems are caused by septic tank problems. If these septic problems are left unabated then there can be dire consequences. SWS has seen drain fields back up into house and damage floors, carperts, and furniture. These septic problems could have been prevented if the owner would have consulted with a septic contractor as what is needed to properly maintain their septic tank.

There are some common problems that cause septic tank drainfield problems. The most common problem is called a bio-mat (biomat) build up. The biomat is built up by organisms that help break down the wastewater coming out of the septic tank. The effluent flows out of the tank and still has small particles of matter that have to be consumed. Also, the water has to be evenly distributed out into the drainfield or the organisms will die or slough off to the bottom of the trench or drainfield. If there is not enough drainfield product (rock and pipe, Infiltrator, PTI, etc.) the organisms die and create a premature failure. If the area becomes overly saturated and not allowed to aerate or dry out then the wastewater will not be treated effectively and the microorganisms die off. Therefore, it is imperative that the septic system is designed for the number of people in the house and the type of soil that the drainfield is installed. The more drainfield you have the longer the system lasts. Four main ingredients cause premature failure or septic problems: too much water, too much organics, poor soils, and poor maintenance by the homeowner.

Are you having septic problems? Are you having your toilets running slow or toilets gurgling? Is the drain in the tub draining slow? Is your tub backing up or filling up with water from the septic tank? If you are on a septic tank call SWS first! Don’t waste your money on a plumber. If it has been a while since you have had your septic tank pumped out or cleaned then it is time for a septic tank inspection. Before you spend lots of money with a plumber call a septic company first. If it has been more than 2 years since you have had your septic tank cleaned then this should be your first step. Call an expert like SWS to get your options! SWS has the septic solutions for your septic problems. Call SWS today at 813-785-0500!