How To Fix A Saturated Septic Leach Field

How To Fix A Saturated Septic Leach Field

In this article, we’ll look at the most common causes of a saturated leach field and what you can do to fix it.

A septic leach field, or drain field, is a critical component of every septic system. Wastewater from the septic tanks flow through the drain line and seeps into the soil, where it is naturally cleaned and returned to mother nature.

However, over time issues in the leach bed can occur causing problems for the existing drain field. One of these issues is wet grass or pooling above your drain field. A saturated leach field can in turn lead to foul septic odors, slow draining in your home and eventually a backup.

Understanding Leach Fields

A leach field consists of a network of perforated pipes laid in gravel-filled trenches. Wastewater from the septic tank flows through these pipes and seeps into the surrounding soil. This process allows the wastewater to be naturally filtered and treated before it re-enters the groundwater.
The leach field relies on a combination of physical, and biological processes to treat the wastewater. Aerobic bacteria break down organic matter, while the gravel and soil filter out solid particles.

The Consequences of a Clogged Leach Field

A blocked leach field can backup your entire system. It can also cause a health hazard, as raw sewage can backup into your home. In some cases, sewage leakage can seep into the ground and cause groundwater contamination. The last thing anyone wants to see is the local health department in their back yard!

Saturated Septic Leach Field

What Causes Water to Pool on a Leach Field?

Most people start by looking in their septic tank, but the problem is actually in the leach field. The septic system is designed to handle both solid and liquid wastes, but excessive amounts and heavy rain can overwhelm the field and lead to saturation.

If you haven’t had a recent spike in usage and you are experiencing pooling, then you may be dealing with a biomat build up in your leach field. Biomat is a slimy build up of organic materials that makes it harder for liquid waste water to drain through the leach field into the ground.

This biomat acts as a barrier between the wastewater and the soil below leaving no place for the water to go. If the water can't go down, it goes up and pools on your lawn.

Identifying if Biomati is Causing Your Saturated Leach Field

There are several telltale signs of biomat. These include:

  • Puddles of water in the yard above the leaching field

  • Slow draining toilets, sinks and plumbing system

  • Septic odors near the leaching field, septic tank or inside the house

  • Gurgling sounds from toilets and drains

  • Greener and taller grass around the leaching bed

Identifying biomat buildup early can help save you from having to replace your leaching field. Once flow through the leach field has stopped, your only option is to dig it up.

How Does Anaerobic Bacteria Affect Biomat?

As mentioned earlier, a biomat or biofilm is a layer of organic matter, created from tiny bits of solid waste, that forms on the bottom of a leach field bed. It acts as a barrier between the liquid wastewater and the soil creating a clogged leach field. Over time, the biomat can become too thick, making it difficult for water to pass through.

The good news is that this issue can be addressed with biological additives.

Using Bacteria and Enzymes (biologic additives) to Fix a Saturated Leach Field

Organic and inorganic additives can be used to enhance the efficiency of the septic system draining. The most effective way to fix a saturated leach field is to add specialized bacteria and enzymes to the septic system. These biologic additives can break down the biomat and help to restore the flow of water through the leach field.
The aerobic bacteria will literally eat biomat turning it into water and CO2. That’s right, you don’t need to call a professional septic service company to dig up and replace your drain field, you just need to help it with organic waste digestion!

Choosing the Right Bacteria and Enzyme Additive

When choosing biologic additives to fix a saturated leaching field, it's important to choose one that's specifically designed for breaking down biomat. Most septic additives are grease for the maintenance of your septic system and will not be powerful enough to break down the biomat in the leaching bed.

You should look for a product that contains a VERY high concentration of facultative bacteria (anaerobic bacteria and aerobic bacteria) plus a mix of enzymes, as this will help to break down the biomat more effectively.

EcoStrong's Septic Liberator shock treatment is designed for the specific purpose of removing leach field saturation. It contains billions of microbes per gram and 7 different strains of enzymes making it one of the most powerful biologic additives availalbe. 

How to Use Bacteria and Enzymes to Fix a Saturated Leach Field

  1. Pour the treatment (usually a liquid or powder mixed in water) into a the plumbing system. This can be through toilet a connected to the leach field, directly into the inspection port on the septic tank or into the distribution box if accessible. The closer to the field, the better. 

  2. Wait for the bacteria and enzymes to do their work. This can take several days, weeks, or even months depending on the size of the leach field and the extent of the biomat buildup. Do not use chemicals like bleach or anti-microbial soap as this will kill the helpful bacteria eating the biomat. 

  3. Check the leach field regularly to monitor its progress.

Every septic system is different. Commercial septic systems with a large septic tank will take longer to fix than residential system with 2 people for example. In some cases, multiple treatments may be needed over the span of several weeks to months.

    Preventing Future Septic Problems

    Preventing future problems with your leach field is simple and easy. It includes:

    • Pumping the septic tank regularly to prevent solid buildup. (every 1 to 2 years)

    • Using biological additives to promote healthy bacterial growth preventing biomat buildup

    • Avoiding the use of harsh chemicals and detergents that can harm an aerobic septic system

    • Keeping the drain field clear of debris and vegetation to prevent root build up in the drain field

    • Avoiding heavy traffic and construction over the drain field as this could collapse a drain line

    • Regularly inspecting the septic tank for signs of damage or wear

    By following these tips, you can help extend the life of your leach field and avoid sewage backup.

    Cost Considerations

    The cost of a new leach field can range from $5,000 to $30,000, depending on the type of system and location of the property. Septic Liberator may cost a few hundred dollars, but that is nothing in comparison to a new leach field.
    We highly recommend adding a biologic additive to your septic tank if you are having any of the signs mentioned above. After that, regular adding aerobic bacteria will improve the longevity and efficiency of your entire septic system.

    Conclusion

    A saturated leach field can be a serious problem for septic systems, but it can be fixed in most cases. By using the right biological additives, you can break down the biomat and restore the flow of water through the leach field fixing the entire septic system. Just make sure to choose a high-quality product and follow the instructions carefully.

    We recommend EcoStrong's Septic Liberator shock treatment. You can contact us on 1 800 677 0517 or send us an email at info@ecostrong.com to find out if Septic Liberator is right for your leach field. We hope this has answered your question of how to fix a saturated leach field.