Unveiling the Mystery of Drain Fields: What They Are & How They Work
It’s probably not the first time you’ve heard the words “drain field” concerning your Central Florida septic system. You’ve heard the words but still have no idea what they mean. No need to worry; here is Unveiling the Mystery of Drain Fields: What They Are and How They Work.
What is a Drain Field?
Let’s get right to it. What is a drain field? It’s a vital component of your septic system. As putrid water leaves your home, it goes to the septic tank. A septic tank is a large container for sewage and wastewater where the waste is broken down and moves towards the drainfields. There are a series of downward-running pipes from your septic tank that run to an area under the soil that is lined with rocks or gravel. The soil acts as a natural filtration system and purifies the wastewater before it reaches the ground.
Where do Drainfields Run?
The size and design of a drain field largely depend on multiple factors, such as the volume of wastewater to be treated, the type of soil, and the space available. It’s typically comprised of several trenches or the bed above, lined with gravel or coarse sand and covered with soil.
Why Do You Need a Drainfield?
It’s simple: it would be disastrous if your septic system didn’t have the series of down-sloping pipes from your septic tank. Your septic tank would overflow and create an unbearable smell in your backyard that would also impact your neighbors.
How Can You Tell Your Drainfield Isn’t Working?
If there is a verdant patch of grass over or around your septic tank, it’s a good indication that the drainfields aren’t working because they’re fertilizing the grass so well. What happened? The soil that is part of your drainfield can become saturated, leaving nowhere for the runoff to go. Again, you can expect a horrific smell in your yard if this occurs. How does this happen? It’s usually due to a high amount of use without maintenance being done.
Where is Your Drainfield?
Finding your drainfield may involve finding documents detailing your septic system or hiring a professional septic service to find where it is located. Why do you need to know where your drainfield is? So that you don’t park a vehicle over it or plant trees or shrubs that could block it.
Let Lakeland Septic Deal Maintain Your Drain Fields
If you are in the wider Lakeland or Polk County areas, call us at 863-738-0504 or complete our contact form. We can ensure that your drain fields continue to work as they should and prevent you from dealing with a septic emergency. Let us dispatch a team of septic system specialists to inspect your drain fields and your entire septic system. We can ensure you don’t have unsanitary backups from saturated drain fields and your septic tank.
