Drainfield, also called a leach field, can be a vital part of any type of septic system. It will help manage and eliminate wastes and impurities which begin from your tank. The drainfield is the best way in handling biodegradable or organic materials which can then be weakened into microbes throughout the property. Drainfields require maintenance and care.

Drainfield Arrangement

A drainfield’s arrangement is usually simple. It’s a system of sloped pipes that are faced downward with holes cut in them that originated from the septic system and spread outward. The pipe’s common feature is a type of porous material like gravel and is often put underground. This sort of arrangement is meant to help prevent the wastewater from being ingested by the animals around and to stop any runoff.

Different Types of Drainfields

There are different types of drainfields that can be installed in your septic system. Here is a list of some of the commonly used types of drainfields:

  • Dry-well system 

This type of system uses large pits that are filled with crushed rocks or gravel to perform the same purification and filtration tasks. Although this type of system could also be less effective in filtering the wastewater due to its reduced lower surface, it remains commonly considered as reliable and sturdy as a standard drainfield.

  • Mound drain system

Nowadays, some soil types or other ground conditions may prevent the installation of a typical drainfield in-ground. Mound drain systems are built above ground and it is going to require some additional pumping to help transfer the wastewater to the top of the drainfield system. Once the wastewater arrives at the top part of the mound system, this method is almost the same as the one that’s found in other conventional drainfields. The longevity for these sorts of systems depends on what development methods were used and also the quality of the solid that is located under the mound.

Drainfield Purpose

If there’s not one drainfield in your septic system, the septic tanks would overflow, which successively creates runoff and may cause bad odors in your property. Commonly, some tank failures are caused by drainfield failures or issues. When a drainfield doesn’t work properly, a number of the wastewater from the tank cannot filter and disperse correctly due to the wastewater or some solid waste that builds up within the soil. This is often what causes improper drainage.

Maintenance of Drainfields

The best possible way to ensure the best efficiency of your drainfields is through prevention. You must never flush solids down your toilets or pour them on drains. These solids will become stuck within the drainfield pipe which can cause a backup. Another thing that you shouldn’t do is to never pour oils, grease, and fats down your drains. Not only do those create clogs and damages to the inside of the pipes, but it also causes the formation of thick crust on the topmost layer of your tank, which can cause blockages, and may also act as a solid and can clog your drainfield pipe if they get into the drainfield.

Best ways to Prevent Problems in Your Septic System

Here are some ways to assist you in preventing expensive drainfield issues in your property:

  • Be careful of the items that you wash down your drains. Some of the substances that you shouldn’t pour into the drains are chemicals, paints, grease, and antifreeze.
  • You need to have your tank pumped every two to three years to ensure the consistent functionality of your septic system.
  • Make sure to not place any heavy objects, vehicles, or machinery on top of your drainfields because this will damage the drainfield.
  • Be careful of the items that are being put inside your disposal
  • You need to regularly make some inspections throughout your septic system.

The drainfield, or leach field, is a vital part of a septic system. You would like to always ensure that it’s free from blockages or anything which will cause a failure to its pipes. Regular maintenance of your septic systems will ensure that you will avoid any costly repairs or problems in the future.