One of the questions we often receive at Quality Septic Inc. of Plant City, FL is, “I don’t have the money to replace my drain field; how can I keep it working efficiently until I can afford a new one?” Drain fields can last a long time if properly cared for. If your drain field is less than 30 years old, it is unlikely that it will need to be replaced. Other than severe damage from repeated parking and driving of heavy vehicles on top, earth shifts, or mistakes made during installation, repair is generally all that is needed.
We understand that repairing or replacing a drain field may come as an unexpected expense. At the same time, we also pride ourselves in being the most qualified and affordable company in the greater Tampa Bay Area to assist you with drain field installation, repair, inspection, and replacement, should you need any of those services.
To keep a drain field working properly, it’s important to look at 3 key factors:
1. Don’t overload your drain field.
A septic system can process hundreds of gallons of water every day. With regular use, a septic tank can fill up in 3-5 days. If your family uses a lot of water during short periods of time, like multiple loads of laundry every day, taking long showers one after another, and washing dishes on a more-than-frequent basis, drain field overloading can become an issue. When the volume of water coming through your septic system is too much for the soils in the drain field to accept, you may experience drain field overloading. You can help prevent drain field overloading by adjusting your lifestyle.
Here are some examples:
• Rotate your laundry schedule
• Space out the showers you take in your household
• Practice good water conservation habits while doing dishes
• Repair any leaking faucets or toilets in a timely manner
• Refrain from flushing “septic tank chemicals” and baby wipes, personal care items, and heavy use of toilet paper
2. Protect your drain field.
Your drain field should be free from any obstructions. This means you’ll want to be sure no tree roots are impeding on your soil near, in, or around your drain field.
You will also want to ensure that anything larger than a riding mower is never placed on top of the drain field. Cars, trucks, SUVs, and large machinery can destroy the material that makes up a drain field system. It’s also important to never dig around the tank or drain field or build anything on top of it. This includes covering the drain field with hard surfaces such as asphalt or concrete. Your drain field is certainly not the place for a carport or porch extension. The extra weight of these items can make it nearly impossible to properly drain liquids.
It may help for you to place markers in your yard around your drain field so that you remember where it is located, and others keep off of it.
3. Have your drain field inspected.
If you have been told that your drain field needs to be repaired or replaced, or if you are noticing certain signs of a failed drain field, you should have your drain field inspected.
Signs that your drain field is not working properly include:
• Spongy, green grass surrounding your drain field
• A foul odor that smells like sewage
• Dark sludge or slime near the septic tank or drain field
• Standing water
A reputable company like Quality Septic Inc. of Plant City, FL should perform a drain field inspection to note signs of failure and any drainage that impacts the drain field area. Some systems even have additional equipment that need to be tested just in case. This includes pumps, alarms, and more. Not all septic companies follow this protocol, so it’s important to choose the right inspector.
We hope that with regular maintenance and proper inspection services, your drain field will keep working properly for many years.
Call the Experts for All Your Septic Service Needs
If you have questions about septic services or want to schedule an appointment, contact Quality Septic Inc. today to get started. We’ll bring you all the services and solutions you need for your home or business. We look forward to working with you.
You can reach us at (813) 519-4812 or get in touch with our online contact form.