Here: questions and answers about what determines the life of a soakaway or drainfield bed.

This article series explains how we determine the Life Expectancy of a Septic Drainfield.

Septic Drainfield Soakaway Leachfield Life FAQs

These questions and answers about the determinants of a septic system life were posted originally

at SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LIFE - please remember to review that material too.

On 2018-11-25 by (mod) - gray tank won't drain - is there a clog or what?

Michael,

In the ARTICLE INDEX at the end of this page you'll find a series of articles on how to find the D box or distribution box that would be a good place to do some investigating. If the d-box is flooded then the drain field or the lines to it from the d-box are clogged or failing.

If the d-box is dry then you need to scope or clear the line between the septic tank and the the d-box

While pumping a septic tank is necessary (on schedule) to maximize the life of a drainfield, pumping the septic tank will never fix a failed or saturated or clogged drainfield.

On 2018-11-24 by Michael Bagley - pumped tank 3 times, drains still clogged

My gray tank will not the water to
Drain. I have my tank pumped 3 time
This year.

I think there's clogged somewhere. I hope it's not the lines.

On 2018-05-24 by (mod) - advice on cesspool pumping

It's not quite correct to say that Cesspool should be regularly pumped out. That's true for septic tanks but not for cesspools. Generally you don't extend the system Life by pumping the Cesspool and in fact pumping a cesspool and the extremely dangerous if it's a homemade one that could collapse when pumped.

Just what options are available to you to install an alternative conventional septic tank and drainfield or other waste treatment system depends on how much physical space there is at the property where you can locate that equipment. So you need an on-site expert and you need to start with that question.

In the ARTICLE INDEX find our articles on CESSPOOLS

On 2018-05-24 13:16:18.529973 by tom

My uncle recently went in a home, his property has a cesspool, which is a great concern to us. Even if the system was pumped out periodically as it should be. The property was built around 1947, so we suspect that it might be a major issue, he was living by himself, so I don't see a large amount of use. I would like some idea of cost to fill in and put a more updated system in. So I will try to check with the proper municipality to find out about their regulations.

On 2017-06-21 by (mod) - who defines "septic failure" where you live?

David,

You don't say where you are located. However I can tell you that almost everywhere your local building or health department has final say in what system they will accept as well as in their definition of when the system is in failure.

Certainly if there is a risk of a sewage back up into the building and considering the costs in world of clean up from such a backup he would fix or replace your system is needed before that happens.

On 2017-06-21 by David Taylor

I have been told my 31 year old drainfield is failing. Lots of trees close by, so possible root problem. I have used copper sulfate, tho inconsistently. Had the tank pumped recently and sludge was only a foot deep, clear water above it.

The water in the effluent pipe will sit until it gets about half or more full, then it will flow.

Am on the verge of putting in a new system, but hesitate, b/c the water is still draining out and the new system will cost close to $20K.

I have a conventional system and by law must replace it with an aerator system with drip irrigation field. I have been told that no one can work to fix my field according to the EPA. Need the info to help me make this decision.

On 2017-06-07 by (mod) - a 48 year old septic system is likely to be failed or past end of life

Bob:

I would prefer to spend your money in phases rather than pouring all of it at once into the septic system. As long as an initial effort isn't likely to be a total waste (throwing good money after bad) let's try a staged approach.

I agree that a 48 year old septic system is likely to be failed or past end of life expectancy, but conditions vary alot such as soil properties, level of usage, and frequency of septic tank pumpout.

If there is evidence that the drainfield itself is clogged, blocked, failed then yes you need a new field, though the tank may be able to continue in use. You'll know that by following a sequence of steps:

1. Have roots removed from the blocked line using a professional who has a drain auger.

2. Ask the plumber/drain cleaner what evidence she finds that the pipes are collapsed or broken - if there is none then you might continue from there.

3. Remove trees or plants with invasive roots that are nearby. Use the on-page search box at the top or bottom of this page to search InspectApedia for PLANTS OVER THE SEPTIC SYSTEM to see what plants to avoid.

4. If you can find and open the distribution box downstream from the septic tank, inspect there for signs of more root invasion or septic field blockage.


Keep me posted.

On 2017-06-07 by bob

I have a cement tank still in good working order but I have roots in the discharge pipe leading to the leach field.

The system was put in 48 years ago. Is it advisable to have the roots removed from the discharge pipe and leach field pipe or should I replace the entire system?

On 2017-04-21 by (mod) - If your drainfield is under water

Susie

If your drainfield is under water in the spring or any other time of the year it is

1. not working since it cannot possibly treat septic effluent while under water

2. is improperly built if the fields were actually installed so close to the seasonal high water table as to flood - we need about 2 feet between the BOTTOM of the field and the high water level

3. May be in failure from flooding or clogging and need - in fact probably needs - complete replacement - though in lucky instances the problem is correctable by directing surface or subsurface runoff away from the fields using intercept drains

If you use the search box on any our pages to look at InspectApedia's articles on SEPTIC COSTS you'll see that costs vary widely by septic system type, soil properties, size of field needed, available space, terrain shape, ease of access, as well as where the property is located;

Figure somewhere between $4000 and $40,000.

On 2017-04-20 by susie - is it normal to have water in your drain field in the spring?

how much does it cost to put in a new septic drain field?

is it normal to have water in your drain field in the spring

On 2017-02-27 by (mod) - don't kill the frogs with septic contaminants

Well I agree that a flooded leach field in the case you described has most likely failed.

Pumping the septic does nothing to fix that condition.

In addition, frogs, who absorb oxygen through their skin, are very sensitive to contaminants in the environment, so the frogs are indeed screaming out that you have a problem - and it's one for them too.

A flooded field is also a health violation in most communities.

While the test does not catch 100% of types of septic failures, a septic loading and dye test, if dye shows up in the leach area, is firm proof of failure.

On occasion a blocked or broken pipe can cause effluent breakout but for an overloaded field such as the one you describe do not permit wasting much time or money on wishful thinking that the field is OK.

Letting the field dry out: the area may need to rest for a decade or more; That's not an option; But IF there were an alternative field already installed one would simply switch the effluent distribution over to the alternate.

Search InspectApedia.com for SEPTIC LOADING AND DYE TEST PROCEDURE to read details.

On 2017-02-27 by J.D. - there are very loud FROGS in the leach field area.

Re-posting edited comment per reader request:

J.D. Said:

I take care of a vacation rental that has a very high usage and large groups of people on a continuing basis. It has a septic system surely was just probably for a family to live in the home. When I started taking care of it and I know the entire property even the wildlife .

Now there are very loud FROGS in the leach field area. I suspect its not absorbing properly also there are alot of big shrubs and stuff growing but I cant get the owner of the home to realize these are indicators of a problem as far as I am concerned.

Mind I do 6- 10 loads of laundry always at once . 12-30 people occupy home and up to 50 or more guests there 3.2 weeks of every month would be close to accurate.

3 weeks last year odors were a complaint but I think the LOUD FROGS ARE SCREAMING WE HAVE A PROBLEM . The leachfield is on a slope ...we emptied septic tank last year in April .

Please let me know your thoughts or a quick way I can prove to Owner that he needs to be attentive to the situation before it really is costly.

I understand you can do an alternative field and let the other dry out etc.I had to beg him for the tank to be emptied cause he was sure we didnt need to for 3 years I was right it was time.

I say theres things we should rip out cause of the roots and he told me that was not true it was good for 20 nyears and to never mention again.

What exact things can prove we probably have a problem that can shut his house down for a while Big income for him and consistent ( but hardly worth it cause I do more than paid for every damn week) income for me which will be affected if this Vacation Rental has a plumbing disaster and peoples planned big events will be ruined as well.

Also is there a serious health safety risk. No Frog sounds to a Hundred of them ITS OBVIOUSLY WET DOWN THERE

On 2017-02-23 by (mod) - a thick biomat that clogs a field in 2 years says something is very wrong

"Put in correctly" might be something with which I'd agree, or not, on-site. But by e-text naturally I have to defer to your guy.

However formation of a thick biomat that clogs a field in 2 years says something is very wrong: design, use, site condition change.

In my experience the temptation to use magic bullet solutions to "fix" a biomat-clogged drainfield system are overwhelmingly appealing as they cost so much less than an actual repair/replacement by reconstruction.

However we have never once had a report from a property owner (as opposed to promotional materials and "white papers" sponsored by product companies) that said that such repairs had a life that was long enough to justify the cost.

So if you try either of the approaches you suggest please let me know - use our email found in the CONTACT link at page top or bottom to send more information if you can.

Also the data our expert provided is incoherent.

Biomat clogging is a different failure from field flooding.

A leak into the septic tank (not necessarily a crack, it can be groundwater leaking in a the tank top or cleanout or anywhere in the system) will flood the fields leaving them saturated and backing up - but that wouldn't explain an inch thick clog - IF in fact that biomat layer seen is actually clogging.

I'd want some further exploration to see if surface runoff or groundwater is flowing into the tank or piping or D-box, and I'd want to be sure that water isn't flooding the mound base.

On 2017-02-23 11:26:29.192374 by Michele

OK, the septic guy came out yesterday. He dug a hole and said from the looks of things it was put in correctly - it is sized appropriately, the depth is correct, the pipes (where he dug) looked good, etc - but it is failing.

The entire mound is saturated, you could take a handful of sand and clump it together, and when the pump kicks on the water just comes up out of the ground instead of percing down. He did find about an inch thick biomat.

He suggested either

1) a remediator or

2) terra lift.

Our house is 2200 sf, but there are only three of us living there and our monthly water usage averages around 5000 gallons so we're not overloading the system.

He said it's also possible that the tank has a crack and ground water is being introduced - if the pump is constantly pumping out groundwater that could be why the mound is saturated.

On 2017-02-20 by (mod) -

Michele

Unfortunately it sounds to me as if your septic mound is failing; I can't know if the problem is something simple like a pump that's off or a pipe that's clogged or if the original installation was improper.

That's because I don't know just what type of septic system is installed at your home nor what components it uses.

You'll need an onsite expert. Do keep me posted about what you're told.

On 2017-02-20 by Michele

I bought a house (new construction) 2 1/2 years ago. The drainfield mound has never been driven across or disturbed in any way, we don't dump grease down the drain, I'm careful about what cleaners I use in the bathrooms, I don't use bleach in the laundry, etc etc...however, multiple holes have started appearing in the mound that are several inches in diameter and dirty water is bubbling up out of the holes.

You can hear the water gurgling and all of a sudden it starts overflowing - we were in the backyard yesterday and the mound started overflowing and no water was running anywhere in the house. The grass on the entire mound is noticeable greener than the rest of the yard. We are not having any issues with toilets not flushing or water not draining from sinks, and we have never put any kind of additives in the system. Is this an issue of improper construction? I've seen wet soggy drainfields before, but never one with holes like this...

On 2016-08-23 23:19:48.059471 by (mod) -

Penny

Though my parents also lived along Virginia Beach where the soil was nearly 100% sand, I didn't see ever see that much movement of more sand atop the existing soakbed.

With a convenational septic drainfield built on dirt soil (not sand), sure, burying the field will interfere with proper field operation, reducing transpiration/evaporation of effluent and reducing the oxygen supply to soil bacteria.

In a septic drainfield or cesspool located in pure beach sand, I seriously doubt that the system honestly works anyhow: there wont' be enough soil bacteria to process effluent; we are then basically just "disposing" of effluent, we're not treating it.

All that griping done, if your septic system is backing up, a total septic failure OR a blocked crushed drain line could be what you're seeing.

On 2016-08-22 20:56:20.112533 by penny

We are beside a large beach access. The showers for the access about 10 feet higher and there has been erosion that has accumulated on our property on our drain field. the drain field. Could this cause our pipes to clog?

On 2016-03-31 03:17:06.108778 by (mod) -

Typically, Steve, that implies that the drain field is saturated. Intern, but generally is likely to mean that the drain field needs repair or replacement.

A different problem could also be indicated, however. That would be grain Fields temporarily flooded by surface runoff that should have been kept away.

On 2016-03-30 20:14:04.046040 by Steve

Upon pumping out the Septic tank ,water runs out of drain lines back into tank what does this typically imply

Question: Would the activities of the tenants effect the leach field?

(Oct 6, 2014) Jason Ross said:
I have a brand new house 6years old. was renting it out as a single family residence for normal use and the tenants started manufacturing glycerine soap and selling it on the internet.

I had to replace the leachfield because it failed. Would the activities of the tenants effect the leach field?

Reply:

Jason

In my opinion, possibly yes.

Depending on what waste products are being produced by the soap process, in what quantity and assuming they're being dumped down drains, excessive soap could clog a drainfield, even piping.

And chemicals could harm septic tank and soil bacteria.

...

Continue reading  at SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LIFE - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see these

Articles about the life expectancy of a septic system

• BLOCKED DRAIN REPAIR METHODS
• CLOGGED DRAIN DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR
• DRAIN DRAINFIELD DIAGNOSTIC TABLE
• SEPTIC BIOMATS
• SEPTIC DRAINFIELD INSPECTION & TEST
• SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LIFE
• SEPTIC DRAINFIELD RESTORERS?
• SEPTIC LIFE EXPECTANCY
• SEPTIC LIFE MAXIMIZING STEPS
• SEPTIC FIELD FAILURE CAUSES
• SEPTIC SYSTEM AGE
• SEWER BACKUP PREVENTION

Suggested citation for this web page

SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LIFE FAQs at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

Or see this

INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to SEPTIC SYSTEMS

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