Questions & Answers on what is considered a septic system or soakaway or drainfield failure and what on-site visual signs indicate that the drainfield or soakbed is failing.

This septic system inspection article series describes detailed "how to" steps instructing the septic inspection investigator in how to inspect specific septic components for signs of failure.

Septic System Failure Indicator FAQs

These questions and answers about how to interpret signs that the septic system, drainfield, or soakaway beds are failing were posted originally at SEPTIC FAILURE CRITERIA - be sure to check out the advice given there.

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Older questions & answers about detecting a septic system failure: warning signs.

On 2015-12-13 by Anonymous

Possibly yes if it allows surface runoff to enter the tank that could flood the fields.

Or flooded fields may be backing up into and leaking out of the tank

These pages are part of our SEPTIC DYE TEST PROCEDURE for testing septic system function.

Before digging up your septic tank or calling a septic pumper, if you think the septic system is failed because of drain blockage or drains backing up into the building, you should

see DIAGNOSING CLOGGED DRAINS Is it a blocked drain or the septic system? - A First Step for Homeowners. If you link to that text, please return here using your browser's "BACK" button.

On 2015-12-07 05:45:16.824424 by Jeremy Lockhart

Will a leak at the top of the primary tank cause the field lines not to function properly?

On 2015-11-07 02:25:36.689278 by (mod) -

I'm not sure and am not familiar with this design detail; if the hole looks drilled or man-made it is probably deliberate, perhaps to prevent water from standing in a pipe that could then be exposed to freeezing? How is the effluent returning to the tank: surely not simply running through soil or a soil trench. That'd sound like a problem.

On 2015-11-04 21:40:04.252709 by ted

just to clarify , the pipe coming off the pump, into the mound , has a hole on the bottom , is this for pressure? or did my pipe spring a leak?

On 2015-11-04 21:22:52.812141 by ted

when inspecting the pipe into the mound system . the pipe entering the mound has a hole that flows back into the tank . Is this normal or is it a leak?

On 2015-05-30 21:24:28.213340 by (mod) -

Linda

Usually the aerobic system aeration pump runs continuously but you might have a different design. We'd need to know what your system is to find the specifications.

On 2015-05-30 20:31:21.201510 by linda benoit

Should my aeration system rotation motor run always or stop and go

On 2015-05-04 01:28:27.126330 by (mod) -

Velda if there is standing water around the septic tank there is at best a blocked septic tank outlet and at worst a failed drainfield. A septic service company can help you diagnose what's going on, starting by opening and inspecting the tank. The repair needed ranges from unblocking a line or repairing a collapsed or broken line to replacing the drainfield. That's why you want an accurate diagnosis.

On 2015-05-04 01:27:04.611940 by (mod) -

Shirley: yes, wet weather as well as driving vehicles over a drainfield can cause failures or breakout of septic effluent or ponding at the surface.

On 2015-05-03 23:02:48.374650 by Anonymous

What can be done

On 2015-05-03 23:01:13.813500 by velda

What cause standing water around septic tank and it smells

On 2015-05-01 17:40:51.709840 by Shirley

Wet areas in the yard? What can cause wet areas in the yard. Could heavy rain for several days cause the field lines to leak. Or could a heavy towing truck can cause damage field lines?

On 2014-12-24 17:16:37.966720 by (mod) -

Dave

Probably not, unless there is septic tank seepage, leakage, or if there are odors in the area. It's normal for wastewater in a septic tank to be warmer than cold outdoor conditions.

On 2014-12-23 15:50:45.747900 by Dave

The area when tank covers are have grass exposure. The snow has melted in the spot should I be worried

On 2014-12-22 21:31:11.832440 by Bernie

I have a compost area in corner of my yard. Next to it is a large, round cement sewer with iron lid. Just this year the soil in the compost area is grey. Why and does that mean contamination from leaking sewer?

On 2014-10-25 14:58:25.339710 by rlau1955@gmail.com or 678 886-1503

We had our septic backing up in the lowest bathtub so we had the tank pumped in early August. The found the T (that's suppose to keep objects from going down the fill lines??) floating in the tank. They replaced the T, pumped out the tank, and jetted the lines (with a pressure washer).

Within a few weeks we noticed that when we do laundry, some of the rinse water was coming up into the loest bathtub (the water drains from the washer into the same bathroom lines as the lowest bathroom). I know the water coming up is from the washmachine because theree's lint in it.

I had someone come out again to pump the tank & they found that the tank was all the way full to the top.

I've been told the easiest way to fix this is to find the end of the fill lines where it might be clogged and add about 50-75 feet of septic drainfill chambers that end in a deep hole filled with gravel.

The person that was to do this work over a week ago has told me that he's been unable to buy the "envirochambers" needed. Can't tell if he's just putting me off or if purchasing the supplies really is an issue.

Does this proposed "fix" sound like the answer? And, where can envirochambers be purchased in Georgia?

On 2014-07-30 07:31:45.180830 by (mod) -

I'm unclear on the question. Sludge where? If you like, use our email at our CONTACT page to send me a cc of the report.

On 2014-07-29 18:48:03.252530 by Failed septic that doesn't fail.

We have NEVER had a problem with our septic system. No back ups, no wet areas in the yard, nothing.

We recently had a title V done because we are thinking of selling...and it failed! We were shocked. They told us the reason was that there is sludge in the system.

Is that a common reason for a system to fail? Is there any fix to it or will we have to get a whole new system? Also, is it allowable to get a second opinion?

On 2014-07-07 01:22:30.079770 by (mod) -

Carlo,

Directly, no, BUT a broken septic tank lid suggests other possibly very serious even FATAL hazards such as allowing someone to fall into the septic tank. Rope off the area and provide a temporary cover until you can have the tank lid replaced with a safe one.

Also if the lid indicates the condtion of the tank or age of the system that is an indirect explanation of slow drainage: failed septic system.

On 2014-07-07 01:14:33.945340 by carllocavanagh

does a broken septic tank lid effect the system to drain slow.

On 2014-07-03 18:24:22.603120 by (mod) -

Anon,

You will want to call your local building department about the Massachusetts Title 5 approval question (and please let me know what you're told). The authorities may approve the solution you propose if the design is credible, since Title 5 does not explicitly require specific design materials so much as it requires proper drainfield capacity, layout, height above seasonal high water table, and evidence of working - or of failure.

Indeed there is a whole industry of trenchless pipe replacement, though I've not read any studies of applying that technology to perforated drainfield piping installation. Perhaps you can obtain (and refer to me) citations or documentation of the procedure for review.

I would also make a careful cost comparison of this approach vs. a complete conventional drainfield replacement. A drainfield that is so old that orangeburg (clay) pipe was still in use until now is likely to be at or past the end of its life for more reasons than collapsed pipe, such as salt, grease, or biofilm clogging of the soils surrounding the drainfield trench.

It would be unfortunate to pay for this procedure and then have to dig up and install the whole field anew anyway on discovery that it is in failure.

Please see added detail about your question including some research citations we've posted at

https://inspectapedia.com/septic/Drainfield_Rejuvenation.php

On 2014-07-03 17:00:01.729370 by Anonymous

I believe a section of Orangeburg pipe in my septic leach field has been broken. Can I have Roro Rooter Co. replace all of the

Orangeburg pipe by pulling in a new perforated plastic pipe and still comply with Massachusetts Title 5 ?

They would dig two small (2x3 foot holes one at the beginning and one at the end of the leach field. They would run a video camera into
the leach field to inspect the piping.

They would then shove a plastic rod into the pipe and then hook onto a 5 inch boring head and pul this head through to destroy the old Orangeburg pipe.

once the boring head has created a new tunnel, they would pull a new 4 inch perforated pipe onto the existing leach field thus solving the broken pipe
problem.

Can this system be done and still comply with Massachusetts Title 5 laws ?

On 2014-06-12 15:16:33.105040 by iris

when inserting a probe into the drain field/ leachfield, if the gravel is dry, does that mean that the drainfield is bad or could it mean that the d-box is clogged? thanks!

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Continue reading  at SEPTIC FAILURE CRITERIA - signs of a septic system failure, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see SEPTIC FAILURE INDICATOR FAQs-2 - more recent questions and answers about signs of trouble in the soakaway or septic drainfields or soakbedsY

Or see these

Recommended Articles

• DRAINFIELD RESTORATION APPROACHES
• SEPTIC & CESSPOOL SAFETY

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