Signs of a Failing Drainfield

Signs of a Failing Drainfield

One of the most common causes of slow or overflowing septic systems is a failing drainfield. The drainfield for your home consists of perforated 4-inch PVC pipes buried beneath your lawn. These pipes are surrounded by angular stones known as drain rocks, designed to provide an outlet for excess water and waste in your system. With age, stones can break, causing the drainfield to fail and causing a backup of sewage into your home. When that time comes, Metro Septic Pumping can step in and perform a septic tank pumping to help resolve the issue quickly.

When a septic system fails, it can result in a disaster for your home. Because of this, it’s important to know the signs that your drainfield is failing so you can take action before the problem gets worse.

Slow Drainage

If you have noticed that your drains are taking much longer than normal, this could be a sign that something is wrong with your drainfield. Too much water may flow into the septic tank, which means the septic system cannot cope, so it backs up into the drainfield. This can cause flooding and other problems within your home.

Puddles

If you notice puddles in your yard, this could be an indication that your drainfield is failing. Puddles can also indicate a clog in the main line or septic tank; however, if these areas are working correctly, there may be issues with the drainfield. Suppose you notice puddles in your yard and want to ensure that they are caused by problems with your drainfield and not something else. In that case, it is best to contact a professional who can assess the situation and recommend how to fix it properly.

Overgrown Plants

If you see plants growing over your drainfield, it could signify that the drainfield needs to be cleaned out. Overgrown plants can make it more difficult for the drains in the drainfield to do their job properly, which means that they will only be able to handle some of the wastewater coming into them at a time. This could result in flooding and other serious problems.

Strong Odors

Strong odors coming from your drainfield or around your home can also mean a problem with your septic system. These smells often come from decomposing organic matter, such as food scraps or animal waste being flushed down toilets and sinks. The material from these sources should be going into the sewage treatment plant rather than the drainfield, which means that something wrong with your system needs to be repaired or replaced.

Metric Septic Pumping

If you've noticed your drainfield has failed, contact Metro Septic Pumping immediately. You mustn't try to repair it yourself—trying to unclog a drainfield before fully assessing the damage could result in further damage and some cases, can cause the failure to spread into other areas of the drainfield or septic system. Our septic company has extensive experience with septic systems and drainfields. Rely on us for your septic system needs.