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If your property relies on a septic system, there are some important things that you as a homeowner should know. The average septic tank is 750-3000 gallons. While septic tanks are designed to percolate, and evaporate water and digest waste, all systems will eventually fail. Septic systems will last approximately 15-30 years. The leach field can fail when the ground becomes oversaturated with liquid waste. A leach field consists of a series of four-inch diameter perforated distribution pipelines placed in two-to-three foot wide trenches. The perforated pipe is placed on top of gravel which is also used to backfill around the pipe. The gravel promotes drainage and reduces root growth near the pipeline. As the leach field becomes older, the wastewater treatment process becomes reduced and the percolation rate slows considerably. Percolation rates are also reduced by solids which flow from septic tanks that have not been pumped and by flooding due to high groundwater or sewage flowing from neighboring leach fields.
It is always wise to call a licensed plumbing contractor that specializes in septic systems. Michael Penta Plumbing and Sewer Specialist are experts in replacing septic systems and leach fields. We can answer all your questions.