Contractors Get It Done

Posted on: 12 February 2021

A common problem with a septic field is the buildup of the biomat in the drain field. It's a slimy bacteria that collects in the drain field and eventually does not allow any effluent to run into the gravel of the drain field. This is a huge problem because the effluent backs up into the tank and eventually into your home. If you have a damaged drain field that needs repair, here is how it can be done. 

Treat The Effluent With Chemicals

The cheapest option will be to treat the effluent with special chemicals that will help break up the biofilm when the effluent reaches the drain field. It involved putting the chemicals in the distribution box so that it mixes with the effluent before it gets into the drain field. Since this is the cheapest and easiest way to treat a clogged drain field, it is worth trying to see if it does the trick. 

Clear The Header Line

One method that can be used to repair a drain field is to clear the header line of all the biomat that is collecting inside it. This involves using hydro jetting technology on the lines, which uses a high-pressure stream of water to blast away the biomat that is stuck to the inside of the pipes. The problem with this method is that it can be very harsh on the pipes, especially older septic tanks that may have pipes that are more fragile. 

Terralift The Drain Field

Another method that can be used is called terralifting, and it involves bringing in some special equipment that blows compressed air into the drain field. By sticking a probe into the ground and forcing air into the drain field, the hope is that the air will break up the biomat film and allow the effluent to drain into the gravel. This method can be very successful, but it is not a guarantee to get the drain field working. If the biomat is too thick due to neglect, the terralift method is not going to be effective at breaking up the film.

Replace The Drain Field

The last thing that you want to consider doing is replacing the entire drainfield. It is a sure way to fix the problems that you are having with effluent being unable to drain into the gravel, but it is going to be the most expensive and time consuming solution. You should definitely try other options first before you resort to replacing the entire drain field and starting from scratch.

For more information about septic tank drainfield repair, contact a local contractor.