Leach Field Repair

What is Septic System Repair?

Septic system repair occurs when a component of the septic system malfunctions and must be fixed in order for the septic tank system to operate effectively. If you have a septic tank on your property, repairs can be expected from time to time to upkeep the septic system.

Common repairs and maintenance conducted on a septic tank system:

• Emergency septic tank services.
• Emergency septic tank pumping.
• Septic cleaning.
• Septic pumping.
• Sewage backups.
• Septic tank overflow.
• Leach field repair.
• Pipe replacement.
• Septic tank inspection.
• Septic tank repair.
• Septic tank service.
• Septic tank replacement.
• Septic system installation.

Maintaining a healthy septic system and scheduling regular septic tank inspections / septic tank pumping / Septic tank cleaning provides a limitation with the amount of repairs that will be completed throughout the lifetime of the septic tank system. Regularly keep an eye on your septic tank to look out for potential septic system repairs.

How much does it cost to fix a failed septic system?

Septic tank repair and leach line repair can cost as low as a few hundred dollars and reach towards the upper end of thousands to get the septic system in proper working order. It depends on the type and severity of the repair. The earlier warning signs that something is out of line with the septic system are caught, the less likely larger and more costly repairs will be necessary.

What are causes of septic system failure?

In addition to overloading the septic tank with water, another factor in septic system failure is a lack of maintenance or inadequate maintenance. If septic tank pumping is ignored, the likely result is backups, clogged pipes & leach fields. Pipes can ultimately collapse and may need to be completely replaced if overloaded.

Septic system failure can also be caused by improper design. The outflow of septic tank contents is determined by the amount of people in a household. Septic systems are designed to factor the sewage intake on a daily basis, this means outflow needs to be determined as well. Sometimes the leach fields are too small or the percolation of the soil does not meet the local building codes. A septic drain field that cannot perform in favorable frequency to absorb & recycle the wastewater is a poorly designed septic system which can require septic tank repairs in the future.

Correct installation of the septic system is vital. Soil conditions when installed can affect the long term condition. Other things that need to be precise are grades, pipe connections and efficient flow.

Further septic failure can be caused by physical damage. You might be thinking, "What kind of physical damage can my septic system face? It is underground!" Unfortunately, "out of sight, out of mind" isn't always on your side when it comes to the structural integrity of the septic system. Heavy vehicles or machinery driving and operating over the tank can cause cracks and breaks to the septic tank and its components.

Other physical damage can be soil compaction shifting as well as tree roots growing through the septic system.

What is Leach Field Repair?

Leach field repair is required when one or multiple aspects of the leach field are compromised or broken. Minor repairs can be made to the leach lines when it comes complications from backups. Sometimes a leach field can be revitalized by restoring components to the drain field like adding sand and gravel.

If the leach field has been poorly maintained or neglected, it is often that repair is not an option. In the worst case scenario, the entire septic drain field will need to be replaced.

What causes my leach fields to fail?

If you are living in the countryside of Fresno, CA and the owner of a septic system, some leach field repairs are unavoidable while others are. You can count on any of the following to lead to leach line failure:

• Roots in the line.
• Backups.
• Excessive water use.
• Poorly maintained and neglected leach fields.
• Low soil absorption / failed percolation tests.
• Improper flow or grade for the pipes.
• Improper septic system design.
• Failing pipe connection fittings.
• Unforeseen damage like driving a vehicle over the drain field.
• Animal invasion.
• Building structures over the drain field.
• Introducing chemicals and additives to the contents of the septic tank.
• Introducing other inorganic materials to the septic tank like baby wipes, diapers & feminine hygiene products. Even "flushable" wipes can cause harm.

What is leach field replacement?

Leach field replacement occurs when there is already an existing leach field that has failed beyond repair. In order to replace a leach field, the best option is to go with a licensed contractor rather than trying to install one yourself.

Unfortunately you cannot just dig up the old leach field and replace it with a new one. The leach field will need an entirely new location. You will need a new percolation test for the new location to ensure the new drain field will adequately function.