What is Drainfield Remediation?
In this photo, raw septage is surfacing in the lawn due to a drain field failure.
A septic drainfield can fail for a number of reasons. The most common reasons are:
Biomat Buildup
Root Intrusion
Solids Blockages
Keep scrolling to take a closer look at each of the 3 major mechanisms of drainfield failure and how we can reverse them for you!
Biomat Buildup
Biomat is a layer of small living organisms. These little invisible critters build up over time into a slimy layer at the rock-soil interface in your drain field. Given enough nutrients and time, this layer can become impermeable.
Of course, if that layer builds up enough it will eventually slow down or stop the flow of fluid away from your septic system. While this is the most common mechanism of failure for a drainfield we can still fix it! Our process uses soil fracturing, lateral jetting, and camera inspection to reverse these failures.
In this drainfield soil boring, a layer of black biomat is beginning to mix with the clean sand of the drainfield.
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Soil Fracturing works by carefully introducing high-pressure air into the soil around your drain field. We force a dose of high-pressure air that moves the soil particles apart, no matter how wet or compacted they have become. In doing so we reduce any soil compaction and break holes in the biomat layer.
The end result is a more aerobic environment great for good bacteria. Oxygen-loving bacteria are substantially more efficient at treating wastewater. Additionally, these opened soil pores are now able to carry and pass fluid away from your drain field providing immediate relief to the system.
This process is fast and effective. Our team arrives with the specialized machinery, measures out the appropriate spots for the probes, and then pumps in the air. Then, your septic system should get back on track almost immediately.
It costs much less than having an entirely new septic system or new drain field installed, and can often be completed in a single day.
Root Intrusion
Another very common cause of drain field failure we look for is root intrusion. Using air to open the soil pores around your system is only helpful if there isn't a physical blockage or rupture of your pipes due to root growth.
That old maple tree several paces from where your drain field is very likely to have sent out roots to invade your pipes years ago. Over time root buildup inside drain field pipes can cause full blockages completely stopping the passage of wastewater.
The only way to be certain if root intrusion is killing your system is to run a camera through the pipes. Our highly advanced camera can be operated remotely and explore every inch of your drain field pipes - often with very little digging!
If we locate root intrusion we'll take the appropriate steps to access the problem area and remove the roots. Jetting the lines to clear physical blockages cuts up roots and washes away solids to restore the insides of your pipes to a functional condition. If needed we can dig up and repair or replace lines destroyed by major root breakage.
Solids Blockages
The last mechanism of failure that we see pretty regularly is a solids blockage.
Solids can build up over time from tiny suspended particles leaving your septic tank. These little particles, particularly in systems lacking an effluent filter, can cause drainfield failure.
Another way solids buildup is if large pieces escape the septic tank. Many older septic tanks were installed without an effluent filter which allows solids like feminine products, flushable wipes, and others to escape the tank and clog up drainfield lines.
Putting It All Together
For just about every drainfield out there displaying signs of failure, the real reasons are almost always a combination of the above factors. Where many companies go wrong is in treating only one of these possible failure points.
Our mission is to accurately diagnose and reverse each of the three methods of failure to ensure a holistic solution to your problem.
It's critical to identify and reverse each potential problem your system may be experiencing in order to have a long-lasting and effective remedy!
Call us today to consult with an expert.
Michigan Septic is proud to offer a fact-based process to getting your system up and running again. No miracle products that “magically” restore your system, just good old fashioned detective work and independently tested methods to get you running again, and keep it that way.