InspectAPedia®   -   Search InspectApedia

Septic tank additives (C) Daniel FriedmanTrenchless Pipe Repair of Septic Fields
Use trenchless sewer line repair technology to replace old damaged septic soak-bed (leacfield) piping?

  • POST a QUESTION or COMMENT & reader comment about septic tank aeration add-on products & about drainfield rejuvenation treatments

Guide to trenchless or no-digging septic system drainfield restoration:

Is it feasible to use trenchless sewer line repair methods to restore a failed septic soakbed or leaching field?

This article series discusses the use of various septic drainfield restoration methods including the use of drainfield restorer treatments, add-on aerobic systems, soil aeration, porox methods, jetting, chemical treatments and also septic tank or drainfield aeration or septic aerobic system add-on systems and special septic bacteria for failed septic system rejuvenation.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.

- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?

Trenchless Pipe Technology Proposed for Septic Drainfield Soakaway Bed Leachfield Pipe Repair or Replacement

Reader Question: can I replace failed drainfield piping using trenchless technology for pipe replacement?

7/3/2014 Anonymous said:

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 ?

[This Q&A was originally posted at SEPTIC FAILURE CRITERIA ]

Reply:

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. We describe the trenchless pipe repair process
at TRENCHLESS PIPE REPAIRS.

Because using scholarly research tools we found it difficult to find independent research reporting on the long term success of the approach you describe, perhaps you can obtain (and refer to me) citations or documentation of the procedure for review.

Watch out: 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 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.

Research Citations for Trenchless Sewer Pipe Replacement Procedure & Applications

See these studies of trenchless sewer and other large pipe replacement & (which does NOT mean drainfield) rehabilitation

Continuing citations, these authors do address, at least to a limited degre, sewer & private or decentralized wastewater drainfield rehabilitation using trenchless pipe technology

Article Series Contents


...

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

Or see these

Recommended Articles

Suggested citation for this web page

TRENCHLESS SEWER REPLACEMENT 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

Or use the SEARCH BOX found below to Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia

Try the search box just below, or if you prefer, post a question or comment in the Comments box below and we will respond promptly.

Search the InspectApedia website

Note: appearance of your Comment below may be delayed: if your comment contains an image, photograph, web link, or text that looks to the software as if it might be a web link, your posting will appear after it has been approved by a moderator. Apologies for the delay.

Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like.
You will not receive a notification
when a response to your question has been posted.
Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check back for our response.
Our Comment Box is provided by Countable Web Productions countable.ca

Comment Form is loading comments...

Citations & References

In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.



ADVERTISEMENT