How To Fix A Saturated Septic Leach Field

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.

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.

• Puddles of water in the yard above the leaching field
  
  
• Slow draining toilets, sinks and 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
  
  

• Foul odors of sewage or rotten eggs inside our in your yard

• Water back flowing from your leach lines when you empty your septic tank

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 to Fix a Saturated Leach Field

You have a few different options when it comes to getting rid of biomat and getting your drain field to flow again. These solutions scale in cost and invasiveness. When fixing a failing septic system, we like to imagine an escalation ladder. Each solution gets more costly as we move up the escalation ladder. Start at option 1, then move your way up.  

1st Option - Add A LOT of Bacteria and Enzymes to the field:

($150 - $500) Organic matter including biomat can be broken down and digested by bacteria. Adding the right types and quantity of bacteria and enzymes can eliminate biomat and open the drain field back up. This is the option that we will focus on in this article. 

2nd Option - Have the Lines Scoped:

($500 - $1000) A septic contractor or even a plumber will put a camera down your leach lines to get a better picture of what is going on. This can help better inform your next steps. 

3rd Option - Have the Lines Jetted:

($750 - $2,000) This is a process where pressurized air and water is blown inside of the leach lines to try and dislodge organic buildup slowing down the draining. This process can break or explode the lines leading to bigger problems. 

4th Option - Have the Field Fracked: 

($1,500 - $3,000) This is a process where a machine drills holes above the leach field and injects air and bacteria into the soil. The idea is to mechanically break up the biomat, then deliver the bacteria directly into the ground. This is going to wreck your grass but can restore flow without replacing the system. 

5th Option - Replace Septic Leach Field:

($5,000 - $30,000) Exactly what it sounds like. A good leach field should last 50 to 60 years but sometimes it is too far gone to fix. We encourage you to try one or more of the methods above before you make this commitment. 

 

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.

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 great 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. 

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.

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.