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Septic Drainfield Location - Video 2
Walk a site to find possible leachfield locations

How to find the septic system drainfield, soakaway bed, leach field, absorption bed. This article series and video explains how to find the septic drainfield or leach field or soakaway bed.

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Find the Septic System Drainfield

Septic System Component Location Video #2 - Possible Locations for a Drainfield at a site

This septic system video#2 describes walking a homesite by a lake in order to reason that the drainfield must be not only uphill from the lake but in this case uphill from the septic tank too.

Click the image above, or use this YouTube URL https://youtu.be/Q2bb-zO6fDc to see the video above in a larger window.

A septic pumping system will be needed. More videos on septic system location & maintenance are

at SEPTIC VIDEOS.

Citation of this article by reference to this website and brief quotation for the sole purpose of review are permitted. Use of this information at other websites, in books or pamphlets for sale is reserved to the author. Technical reviewers and content suggestions are welcome and are credited at "References."

This is a chapter

of SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTION & MAINTENANCE COURSE an online book on septic systems.

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Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2020-04-02 - by (mod) -

Campbell

At CLEARANCE DISTANCES, SEPTIC SYSTEM inspectapedia.com/septic/Septic_Clearance_Distances.php

and also at

WELL CLEARANCE DISTANCES https://inspectapedia.com/water/Well_Clearance_Distances.php

for required distances between wells and septic systems and other site features

we give clearance distances that you need.

On 2020-04-02 by Campbell

How far away from my well does the septic system need to be?

On 2019-09-01 by (mod) - allowable distance, septic drainfield to new garage

Septic drainfield distance to proposed garage - (C) InspectApedia.com DuffStephen
at CLEARANCE DISTANCES, SEPTIC SYSTEM we show that the distance from drainfield to structure varies by state code from 20' to 5'.

In Massachusetts I'd expect that the local building department or plumbing inspector may be willing to grant an exception for the case you describe;

in my OPINION your argument is bolstered by the illustration that it's a corner of the field that's less than 10 feet away and that that distance increases for the rest of the structure. Would it help to show the distance from the other drainfield corner to the garage? Is that going to be 10 ft or more?

Also important: in constructing the garage be sure to prevent heavy equipment from driving over the drainfield lest it be damaged by soil compression or pipes actually crushed by vehicle weight.

Let me know what the local inspector says.

On 2019-09-01 by Stephen Duff

My customer wants to build a garage but it’s only

6 1/2 ft from leachfield (new leachfield). Since there is no basement, can the 10’ rule be negotiable? In Massachusetts

[Click to enlarge any image]

On 2012-10-17 - by (mod) -

K Bader,

Watch out: You could be making a costly mistake. First check with your local building and zoning department to assure that you can put a house on this lot.

I would not buy property before those basic questions are answered.

On 2012-10-17 by KBader

I am looking at buying the property of which we currently live. It's a .3 acre lot with a single wide mobile home on the lot. Our intention is to tear down the trailer, and put up a modular home on a basement foundation. Before we offer on the property we're trying to locate the septic elements.

It's dark now, but I have a feeling the tank and leach field are in the front yard. What are the requirements for digging a basement next to a leach field? We're trying to find all our options... and finding it difficult... Any help is appreciated!

On 2011-12-16 by JW

In Pennsylvania, contact your local sewer officer. Each County has one. Realize though, that the failure of your neighbor to correct the problem, if they can't afford it, could result in them being told to leave their home until a new system can be installed. I agree that it sounds like a system failure, but often, it could be rectified by pumping the septic tank out, since it may be overflowing into the leach field with solids and causing failure.

But the sewer gas you are smelling is dangerous, deadly in a confined space and potentially explosive, aside from the obvious odor issues (not really the sewr gas you are smelling but associated hydrogen sulfide, in all likelihood.

On 2011-08-26 by Anonymous

Im the last one to ever start a dispute but they know its bad. She has even made comments before about the odor and telling her husband to throw lime on it. Thats just plain rude and neglect. I thank you for your suggestions and comments. I think I know what I have to do and the ball needs to start rolling. Thanks again

On 2011-08-26 - by (mod) -

Anon I am always reluctant to fan the flames of a dispute among neighbors.

But if you are faced with a genuine health and sanitation issue and a property owner flat refuses to address it, local health laws doubtless apply and you may have no choice but to take the matter to your health officials and ask for assistance.

I've seen such cases before; typically a health department official visits the property, confirms the presence of a health issue and orders the property owner to repair the trouble following approved methods. If the owner refuses the property can be condemned or fines levied, as public health could be at risk.

On 2011-08-26 by Anonymous

They know it's bad already or they wouldn't be throwing sand and lime on it. He's on disability, cheating the system, and he's a tight wad but they can buy a 'vette, new car, and new zero turn mower. which was aquired by insurance. I believe homeowners.

On 2011-08-25 - by (mod) -

Anon if you are going to pursue the matter you would first

- speak to the neighbor, let him know there is an unsavory and unsanitary problem thea affects you, and give him/her a chance to respond.

- if you need to obtain outside help you'd need to call your local health department or building department.

Anon your neighbor will need to call a septic repair contractor; some large plumbing companies offer that service, or in other areas you'll find septic repair listed under excavators. Be sure the person called actually has expertise in septic systems.

On 2011-08-25 by Anonymous

Thanks for the reply. In Pa., what do I do about it and who do I call?

On 2011-08-24 - by (mod) -

Anon:

You are describing a septic system failure. If there is effluent or sewage coming to the ground surface there is a problem with the waste system piping or drainfield that needs diagnosis and repair. In just about all North American, European, Austrailian, etc. communities, local health regulations specifically prohibit discharge of wastewater on the ground surface.

Unfortunately just sprinking some sand around the pipe has only the appeal of a low-cost cover-up. It's not an effective repair for a failed septic system.

On 2011-08-24 by Anonymous

My neighbor has a plastic pipe sticking out of the ground in his yard. The odor at night is terrible and seems to fresh , what looks to be sewage, around this pipe. He keeps covering it with sand and lime. Is this legal? I have smelled this for ten years and I'm tired of it. What can be done?


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Continue reading  at DRAINFIELD PIPE LOCATION, PRECISE or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

Or see SEPTIC DRAINFIELD LOCATION FAQs - questions & answers posted originally at the end of this page

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Septic Drainfield Location Articles

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


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