Drainfields
The average natural lifespan of a septic field in Canada is around 15-20 years. More than 80% of drainfield failures are fully repairable through healing restoration of the aged and clogged soil using aerobic Bacteria technology, saving the field without the need for any system replacement, heavy construction, and saving you thousands of dollars.
When the soil clogs it slows the wastewater from draining and it will cause untreated septic effluent (raw sewage) to appear at the surface around the drainfield or the septic tank.
Over time, an organic "Biomat" is built up by the soil’s filtering action of the effluent through the drainfield. Eventually, it will build-up to the point where the ground is blocked off and it cannot accept any more liquid.
The result is the effluent can either come up through the ground or go back into your house. Both results are detrimental to your septic system. If not dealt with in time, significant health risks and large costs of rebuilding the system are the only options.
Septic Renew uses aerobic bacteria technology and puts mother nature to work for you to clean up this clogging, keep it clear permanently, and ensuring your home and yard remain safe and enjoyable for you and your family.
What Do Septic Tanks Do?
Septic tanks are your first step in the treatment of the effluent. All the wastewater from your home enters the septic tank and the primary use of the septic tank is to settle the solids out of the effluent and allow the liquid (without solids) to flow onto being reabsorbed in the ground. Another major function of the septic tank is to start the breakdown of the organic matter that enters it. Your existing system uses anaerobic bacteria that are less efficient and less effective than aerobic bacteria.
What Do Drainfields Do?
Drainfields are an integral part of your septic system and they filter the water that leaves your septic tank through the use of leach lines, a leach bed, a sand filter, a mound, or another dispersion system. The soil removes pollutants and pathogens from the water with the aid of bacteria to safely re-introduce water back into the environment.
Anaerobic bacteria's slime causes problems to occur over time. Over time the slime builds up and restricts the filtering action of the soil by clogging it. The slimy bacterial mucous fills the voids in the dirt until they eventually literally join together rendering the ground impenetrable and is called Biomat. The Biomat prevents the liquid from being filtered and draining down through the ground.
Signs You Have a Serious Drainfield Issue
Being aware of the warning signs and not assuming that they will "repair themselves" will help you prevent an unpleasant situation in your yard.
- Foul, nasty odors occur with most failure symptoms.
- 1) Effluent Pump Running Too Often or for Long Periods.
- 2) The water level is high in the septic tank.
- 3) Freezing in winter.
- 4) Slow draining toilets or not draining at all when they are flushed.
- 5) Soft, damp soil over the drainfield or septic tank.
- 6) Wet spots or standing water over the drainfield or septic tank.
1) Effluent Pump Running Too Often or for Long Periods.
One of the first things that you may notice when your drainfield is becoming clogged is that the pump will run for longer periods or engage more often. This is a result of the drainfield not accepting wastewater as the system was designed and the situation gets worse quickly. Reducing the life of the pump by burning out the motor and running a risk of back-up into the house.
2) The water level is high in the septic tank.
Looking into the septic tank compartments could signal drainfield issues that you were not aware of yet. Higher levels could indicate a problem with the pump and float system or it can indicate that the drainfield is becoming clogged.
3) Freezing in Winter.
When the drainfield starts to plug up, the wastewater is restricted and moves more slowly through the drainfield. In our colder Canadian winters, due to the improper draining of the lines, they will freeze. Once they freeze into a solid block of ice, they cannot be easily melted. Once frozen, no water will enter the drainfield and the septic tank will back up. Once the spring thaw comes around, the drainfield may once again accept wastewater and seem to operate somewhat normally.
4) Slow draining toilets or not draining at all when they are flushed.
When the pump fails, for many people this will be the first sign. For Septic systems that don't incorporate a pump, slow draining toilets might be how they find out that their drainfield has become clogged.
5) Soft, damp soil over the drainfield or septic tank.
Often our drainfields are often set away from the house in areas that we don't venture out to regularly, keeping an eye on the ground conditions around the drainfield will give you indications of the health of the drainfield. Soft or damp soil over the drainfield or septic tank would be signs received before you have wet spots or standing water.
6) Wet spots or standing water over the drainfield or septic tank.
Wet Spots or standing water over the drainfield or the septic tank are often signs of advanced Biomat clogging of the drainfield and immediate rehabilitation would be required.
With Biomat already built up, it only gets worse and does not get better on its own. Even if the signs of a clogged drainfield seem mild, the last thing you want to do is wait until it becomes a bigger issue. If addressed in a timely way repair is available before replacement is necessary.
Contact us today for a no-obligation assessment of your septic system.
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