Signs of drain field trouble
- Wet, spongy or pooling areas over the field
- Grass that is much greener over the lines than the rest of the yard
- Sewage odors in the yard
- Slow drains that come back soon after the tank is pumped
- Liquid flowing back into the tank during pumping
What causes a field to fail
The most common cause is solids escaping a tank that has not been pumped often enough and clogging the soil. Too much water at once, vehicles or structures compacting the soil, and roots in the lines are other common culprits. Some fields simply reach the end of their life.
Repair, rest or replace
Depending on the cause, the answer may be pumping and reducing water use, repairing a line, or replacing the field. A replacement drain field requires a permit from the county health department. We will explain what we see and what each option involves.
