Signs of a Drain Field Issue
If you notice that something is wrong with your drain field, you might assume that it will go away on its own – but it won’t. You need to address this issue before it is too late and it’s beyond the point of repair. The quicker we can get to your failing drain field, the higher the chance we can remediate it.
Symptoms of a serious drain field issue include:
- Standing water – In the event that your septic drain field system begins to slow down and age, wastewater will seep up through the grass and become soft and mushy, usually releasing some unpleasant odours.
- Slimy substance on the surface – It’s possible that a black slimy substance can form on the surface of the drain field or the edges around the drain field, which is an indication that either the soil is restricted or the drainage system is malfunctioning.
- Winter freezing – A restricted wastewater flow through the drain field in the winter will cause a solid block of ice to form, preventing it from melting. When this occurs, no water will enter the field and the septic tank will back up. It is common for the field to accept water once again during the summer, but freeze again in the winter. Once this occurs, it only becomes worse, never improving.
- The pump running too long – When your septic drain field becomes restricted, the first thing you may notice is that the pump may run continuously for long periods or engage more frequently. This occurs when the drain field is able to accept some water but not the amount it should, and it becomes worse rapidly. In addition to field failure, this will drastically reduce the pump’s life and burn out the motor, posing the risk of a backup into the home.
Being aware of the warning signs of a drain field problem allows you to catch the problem early. Never ignore problems with your drain field – book a repair with us before a full replacement is required.
