Drain Field Repair: What You Can Do to Avoid Needing This Service

If you’ve ever experienced the hassle and expense of needing drain field repair services, you know they’re something you want to avoid if possible. The good news is there are several steps you can take to keep your drain field healthy and repairs at bay. Keep reading to learn more.

1. Keep Your Drain Field Area as Dry as Possible. If you’ve planted vegetation over the drain field, avoid watering the plants, as the excess water might oversaturate it. Installing a sump pump in your yard is another effective way to minimize drain field repairs. It will improve drainage by diverting excess rainwater from your yard, thus minimizing soil saturation.
2. Don’t Place Heavy Objects Over the Drain Field. It may be tempting to park vehicles, set up play equipment, or build a tool shed over your drain field. Resist the urge! The additional weight can break pipes, crush the soil, and lead to soil compaction. Compaction prevents wastewater from filtering through the soil properly, so keep the area clear and avoid using overly heavy lawnmowers to mow drain field vegetation.
3. Maintain a Safe Distance Between Large Plants and the Field. While some vegetation is okay, large shrubs and trees have extensive root systems that can break through drain pipes. This will clog your drain field over time. Stick to planting grasses and small plants whose shallow root systems won’t interfere with its function.
4. Prioritize Regular Maintenance. Catching issues early is key to avoiding premature drain field failure. Therefore, have your septic tank and drain field inspected and maintained regularly by a professional. Additionally, you can take charge by conducting regular visual inspections to check for pooling water, odd smells, or unusual vegetation growth on the field.

Although we are drain field repair experts, we always recommend proactive maintenance before anything else. Following these simple steps will go a long way toward extending the life of your drain field. Contact us today if you have any questions about our drain field repair services.