How close can you build to a drain field?
– A full foundation must be 10 feet from the septic tank and 20 feet from the leaching area. – A slab foundation such as a garage must be 10 feet from the septic tank and 10 feet from the leaching area.
How much does it cost for a new drain field?
When it comes to having another drain field installed, cost considerations take the center stage. In other words, one of the primary considerations of homeowners is how much it will cost them to have a new one fixed in place of the old one. It will cost anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 to have a new drain field replaced.
Can you build a garage over a septic field?
You should never build a garage over any part of your septic field. This is because doing so would make it virtually impossible to drain your septic tank or perform other types of septic field maintenance. Even if these things weren’t an issue, putting too much weight on top of your septic field can damage it.
How to extend the life of your septic drain field?
Tips for keeping your drainfield healthy
- Practice economy in the water usage of your home. ...
- Fix any dripping faucets, running commodes and malfunctioning water softeners promptly to avoid flooding out the drainfield.
- Pump out the septic tank on a regular basis to prevent solids from entering the absorption area.
How deep are septic drains?
A typical septic drain field (see Figure 1), also known as a leach field, is a series of perforated pipes that are set in trenches and buried with aggregates (½- to 2½-inch gravel or ½- to 4-inch rubber chips) and soil. These drain lines are at a minimum depth of 6 inches and are typically 18 to 36 inches wide. The individual drain lines will usually be 8½ to 10 feet apart (see Figure 2). It is important to note here that each drain field system will vary from the next. It is important that the homeowner have a detailed layout of their system (giving the locations and dimensions of individual components) for their reference.
How does a septic system work?
Understanding how a septic system functions is essential to making sound decisions about how to best landscape over the drain field. A standard septic tank will separate solids from liquids. The liquid effluent, or wastewater, will then flow from the tank into a series of drain lines that allow the effluent to slowly percolate down through ...
How to keep moisture from flowing over drain field?
This can be accomplished by diverting runoff from a roof or driveway away from the drain field, and making sure that irrigation systems do not add excessive moisture.
Why plant over a drain field?
Perhaps the most compelling argument for planting into the drain field would be to mitigate any erosion of the soil over the drain field.
How deep are drain lines?
These drain lines are at a minimum depth of 6 inches and are typically 18 to 36 inches wide. The individual drain lines will usually be 8½ to 10 feet apart (see Figure 2). It is important to note here that each drain field system will vary from the next.
What are the most common trees that are damaging drain fields?
Trees with very aggressive root systems that should be avoided include willows, red and silver maples , beeches, birches, elms and poplars. Some trees with less aggressive root systems include cherries, crabapples, dogwoods, hemlock and oaks. To reduce the associated financial risk and emotional stress of a failed system, plant trees at least as far away as their estimated root spread at maturity. There are two methods used to estimate tree root spread. One rule of thumb is that roots extend out from the tree two to four times the diameter of the canopy. Another is that tree roots spread out one to three times the height of the tree. These estimates should be considered a bare minimum, and to reduce the risk, the trees should be planted even further away from the drain field.
What are the plants that drain in South Carolina?
Shallow-rooted herbaceous plants refer to flowering annuals and perennials (including bulbs), turfgrass, weeds and many groundcovers. As previously mentioned, these plants are unlikely to clog and damage drain lines. Many of our native grasses in South Carolina as well as non-native grasses are well suited for use in a drain field planting. Just remember that larger plants typically have larger root systems, so tall grasses like Miscanthus spp. or pampas grass are definitely not recommended for use in this instance. Mixes of wildflowers, bulbs and grasses provide a suitable, attractive vegetative cover.
How Much Weight a Septic Field or Septic Tank Can Hold?
A septic field or septic tank isn’t built to withstand heavy loads. There is no specific weight limit for septic fields , but most professionals suggest not to put any heavy machines or vehicles on the septic field. Even sometimes, low-weight vehicles like golf carts, ATVs, and mini coopers can cause damages to the septic field or septic tank.
What is a septic system?
Septic systems and septic fields are used interchangeably, which means the underground wastewater treatment facilities. Usually, a septic field consists of a soil absorption field, a tank, and a drain field. All these parts of the septic field function together and treat the wastewater. After preparation and treatment, a septic field or septic system distributes the water back to the sewage canal.
What happens if you put heavyweights on a septic system?
If you repeatedly put heavyweights on the septic field, it can damage the structure of the septic field and cause various plumbing issues.
What happens if a septic system doesn't work?
If the septic field of your house doesn’t function well, you’ll have various plumbing issues, which will lead to heavy repairs. Besides, when you have a malfunctioning septic system, your house will become unlivable too.
What can you use to find the edge of a septic tank?
Also, you can use a long and thin stick, known as a septic field probe, while determining the septic field boundary. With this probe, you’ll be able to find the edges of the septic tank without digging deep.
How long does a septic system last?
Usually, a septic field lasts for about 15 to 20 years. However, if the septic field is well maintained, it can last more than 40 years.
How to find septic field boundary?
To find the septic field boundary, you’ll have to look at the blueprint of your house. From the blueprints, you’ll be able to determine where your septic field starts and ends.
What happens if a septic tank drain field is incorrectly installed?
In addition to the potential legality issues, if the septic tank drain field is installed incorrectly you will have a back-up problem in the tank.
How deep should a septic tank be?
You will need to dig either four two-foot long trenches or two 50-foot trenches for a 1,000-gallon septic tank. Each trench should be three to four feet wide and equally deep.
How long does it take for a field to settle?
You will need to wait two weeks for the ground to settle. When the ground settles, you will probably need to add more dirt to level your field.
Can you aerate a plant?
Keep in mind you cannot aerate or till the soil. You also cannot add more than two to three inches of top soil. The plants you can use that require very little water and have shallow root systems include Japanese surge, carpet bugle, periwinkle, Irish moss, and some strains of wildflowers. DISCLAIMER:
Do you need a percolation test for a drain field?
Many health departments require a percolation test to establish suitability of drainfield soil. Depending on your area, the law may call for a licensed professional or agency to perform this test for you. Research your local rules regarding septic tank usage. In addition to the potential legality issues, if the septic tank drain field is installed ...
Why should a septic system be built over a field line?
Because of the moisture levels and the need for free air movement, no permanent structures should be constructed over septic field lines. This includes homes, barns and other types of storage buildings. Structures with foundations will potentially trap moisture beneath the structure. This will prevent the field lines from working properly and will also result in unhealthy moisture levels beneath the structure.
What are the concerns of a septic system?
The major concerns with constructing anything over a septic field are access to the area if maintenance is required and potential damage to the field lines. Since the proper care and maintenance of the two elements of a septic system—the septic tank and the field lines—will determine the lifespan of the unit as well as the cost ...
Can you build over a septic system?
If it can be avoided, nothing should be constructed over the field lines. If no other area is available, building over septic lines can be done but with certain limitations. The structure should not be over the field line distribution box and should not cause increased drainage to be directed to area of the field lines.
Should field line pipe be crushed or broken?
Should a field line pipe be crushed or broken it may be necessary to replace it. If a deck is built over this area, replacing the pipe may require the deck to be dismantled as well. Advertisement.
Can you dig a foundation over field lines?
Foundation. If constructing over field lines, it is imperative that no foundation is dug. With structures such as decks, no footings should be dug, as footings could clog or damage the field lines. In place of footings, the structure should rest on shallow slabs or concrete plates. If at all possible, these pads should not be placed directly ...
How does a septic system work?
Septic systems are designed to break down organic waste from the home, separating the waste into liquids and solids. While the solid sludge that forms in the bottom of the tank needs to be pumped out at scheduled intervals, the wastewater can be treated and reused as irrigation for crops or simply released into a septic field that typically consists of perforated piping, set in gravel trenches, and buried about 1 to 2 feet underground.
Can a deck be installed over a septic field?
As noted above, structures are a bad idea for septic fields and can’t be installed in these locations. Many people try to figure out a way around this, suggesting floating decks, small sheds, and even simple gazebos to help block out the sun, but each of these additions pose a risk to the septic system. Decks are too heavy to be safely installed over a septic field; they also block access to the system while preventing the growth of grass and other beneficial vegetation that reduces the harmful effects of erosion.
Can you put a tennis court over a septic system?
Not only does the addition of concrete prevent the process of evapotranspiration, but it also adds a significant amount of weight that could cause the septic field pipes to collapse.
Can a septic field be used for play?
Kids can make great use of the open space provided by the septic field, so it may seem like a great idea to install a permanent or semiper manent play structure, but this can lead to all kinds of problems. Large play structures tend to be too heavy, putting pressure on the septic field and potentially bending or breaking the pipes that are only a foot or two under the ground.
Do septic fence posts support weight?
With the proper placement, the weight of the fence is fully supported by the posts so that it doesn’t cause undue stress to the septic system. Also, make sure that the system can still be accessed for maintenance when necessary.
Can an above ground pool cause a septic system to be clogged?
The pool doesn’t just block oxygen from reaching the septic pipes, halting evapotranspiration, but the weight of the pool, especially when it’s full, will likely crush the pipes and back up the entire septic system.
Can trees break septic pipes?
Trees, shrubs, flowers, and other plants with deep or expansive root systems can interfere with the functionality of the septic system and may even wrap around the septic field pipes, trapping the septic effluent and causing flooding. In particular, large tree roots are known for their widespread root systems that can break through rock, pavement, and even house foundations, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that these plants are capable of crushing the septic system pipes.
