Why Does A Septic Drain Field Get Clogged? How To Unclog It?

A septic system is composed of different parts that are responsible for specific tasks. One of them is a drain field. Sometimes, it gets clogged which means the septic tank will have problems draining the waste to the drain field. What causes this issue, what to do about it, and when to call in a septic tank service? Let’s know in detail.

What Is A Septic Drain Field?

The drain field, also known as the leach field, is the last part of your septic system. A drain field is responsible for dispersing the wastewater coming from the house and the septic tank into the ground.

See, the soil has multiple layers and the effluent water or waste is naturally filtered by the soil once it reaches the drain field via the septic tank. So, if you didn’t know what happens to wastewater after it’s pumped from a septic tank, well, now you do.

A septic drain field is really important because it deals with all of the wastewater and it doesn’t leave anything behind. The very rich wastewater is great for the ground and soil and acts as natural manure for the plants.

However, a drain field can also run into problems and the very common one is it getting clogged. A clogged drain field will ruin everything and you will need to do something about unclogging it before it’s too late and the tank overflows with wastewater.

Why Does A Drain Field Get Clogged?

There are a lot of reasons why a drain field can get clogged and it all starts from the house.

Flushing Solid Things

The toilet is not a garbage can. You can’t just flush down any and everything down the drain. While body waste is okay, you can’t expect the toilet to easily flush down things like sanitary napkins, cotton pads, baby wipes, dental floss, kitty litter, hair, condoms, bleach, toys, and things that can choke the drain and are meant for the trash can and not the flush.

So, if you’re flushing down things that aren’t meant for the toilet in the first place, then a clogged a clogged drain line and a drain field won’t be far away.

Not Pumping The Tank Regularly

Another reason why drain fields can get clogged is because of not maintaining the septic system. Usually, a drain field will last anywhere from 15 to 25 years, so it’s not like you have to maintain it very often, but pumping the septic tank is important. Think about it – there is human waste sitting in the septic tank.

It’s bound to turn into a semi-solid sludge and if you don’t agitate the tank from time to time, then it will only cause clogging issues in the future. This is why you must consider septic tank pumping Berkeley County every 2-4 years to avoid problems.

Not Covering The Drain Field

Lastly, the main reason why the drain or leach field can get clogged is because it’s not covered. Usually, the drain field is small perforated pipes. They lead down into an open field where the effluent water can get absorbed.

If the drain field has been covered by overgrown plants, obstacles, and even cement, then it will get clogged and the flow of the effluent water will be halted.

How To Unclog A Drain Field?

Now that you know how a septic leach field is clogged, here are some things you can do to help unclog it.

Use A Sewer Jetter

If you can see the drain field, then the best thing to do is to use a sewer jetter, also called a hydro jetter, to remove all of the clogs. Usually, the obstacles aren’t as harsh and a pressurized stream of water can make all the difference.

All you need for this is a long sewer jetter so that it can reach the drain field and get the job done. A couple of streams on the drain field will make it usable again and the wastewater will flow freely.

Remove Plants And Tree Roots

Another thing you can do is to remove overgrown plants and roots of the trees surrounding the drain field. If you know anything about drain fields and septic systems, then you would know that there shouldn’t be any plants or greenery in the vicinity of these things.

Plants and roots are uncontrollable and they can penetrate concrete and even metals once they grow to a certain point. This is why you want to snip down the roots and any overgrowth of the trees because that will automatically get rid of any clogs and the drain field will work again.

Get Help From An Expert

Lastly, if the drain field is inaccessible and you can’t seem to find the problem and rectify it, then you need to call in a professional. A professional septic maintenance and repair team will know exactly what to do and they can fix the problem as fast as you can say “unclog”.

So, if you think that the problem is way out of hand for you, then you can call in a professional and they will get the job done for you. They might also inspect the tank and other parts of your septic system for making sure everything is fine.

How To Prevent Clogs In The Future?

To prevent your drain field from clogging, you need to know how to combat it in the first place. So, here are some things that you can do that prevent clogs in the drain field.

Use The Water Mindfully

Carefully using water can do wonders for not only your septic tank but for the drain field too. If you don’t waste water, then it will not fill up the septic tank and the drain field will be able to manage the load more easily.

So, don’t run water when you don’t need it and many septic system problems won’t haunt you.

Maintain The Septic System

Regular maintenance of the septic system is extremely important. You want to ensure that you’re keeping your septic system in good shape, otherwise it will turn into a disaster.

If you know how and when a problem strikes, you will know how to combat it. But what if you don’t know your septic system is malfunctioning? That’s why septic system inspection and maintenance is so vital.

Replenish The Septic System Bacteria

Sometimes, the best thing to do when you’re up against a clogged drain field is to let nature do its job. Bacteria can get killed if you use a lot of harsh chemicals and those bacteria are responsible for breaking down the waste into manageable sizes so that nothing gets choked or blocked. This is why you want to replenish the natural bacteria in the tank.

You can do so by adding in rotten or bad vegetables or fruits cut up into small pieces. You can also get natural bacteria and pour it into the toilet and drain.

Cover The Drain Field

Cover the drain field with a slotted barrier so that the field is visible but nothing falls inside.

Conclusion

A drain field is a crucial part of a septic system and if it gets clogged, it will put the entire system at risk of damage. Therefore, if you notice any symptoms of septic system issues, consult septic companies Loudoun County.