imported_Buzz Vinard

How to fix a leachfield?

We're getting down to it, now. I have very little left that has to be done to my house before we close. I knew I needed to get my septic tank pumped out, and I thought that there was a kink in the drain pipe from the house down to the tank, but I was wrong.

The guy who pumped the system did a cert on it, and while the tank is fine, the leach pipe had evidence of effluent in it, and it did not pass. Great.

I'm not sure what my options are, here. I can get ahold of the equipment I need to dig out the soil, pipe, and gravel, and replace them. This will be a major PITA, though.

Are there other methods that are less time consuming and less expensive than having someone else replace the leach field? This is the last major thing to take care of, and I need to get it done before we close.

Jay Taylor

Maybe this article will help:

Septic Systems

From the article:

Failed Field:

Usually means soil plugged due to age, overuse, underdesign, lack of maintenance, or a combination of these. Requires field replacement or rest. See: Alternating Fields.

Alternating Leach Fields:

One of two or more leach fields designed to be used while the other(s) rest. They are generally fed via a manually operated diverter valve located in the line from the septic tank.

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." - Arthur C. Clarke

imported_Buzz Vinard

Yeah, I'm afraid that field replacement is the only option at this point. There are some products that claim to use bacteria and enzymes for field reclamation, but they take two weeks minimum to work. I have heard of using compressed air injections to reclamate a field, too. I close on the house in less than three weeks, and I think at this point that the only alternative that I know will fulfil requirements is replacement. And honestly, if I were buying the house, I would want a new field, not a reclamated one.

I guess I just need to take a look at the depth requirements, etc., figure out the volume of gravel, get new pipe, have the gravel trucked in, and get a backhoe.

Bummer.

Jeff Ulmer

This can be mighty expensive if done legally. You need a permit, and an inspection by the health department around here. Average cost for a normal sized house would be in the $5-7000 range. Most of this is BS, though, since part of the process is determining that water runs downhill. They also want any contaminated soil removed.

I would make some discreet inquiries as to what code requires where you are. Whatever you do, it will make a huge mess in the yard.

I don't envy your dilemma.

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