| You are going about your daily routine -- taking a | | | | leach fields. |
| shower, using the bathroom, making breakfast, using | | | | If you are handy -- and extremely brave, you could |
| the garbage disposal etc. You notice that the | | | | attempt to resolve this on your own, but you should |
| plumbing is moving a little bit slower than usual -- you | | | | be warned that this is a nasty job with lots of smells |
| may even begin to notice a foul smell coming from | | | | and disgusting sludge. If you can get over the smells |
| the drains - then it happens. After a brief stop to the | | | | and a little mess then it's time to get started. |
| restroom you notice the garbage disposal, toilet and | | | | Rent a backhoe from your local equipment yard and |
| other items have made their way into the shower | | | | begin digging at the outlet side of the tank. Once you |
| floor! | | | | have uncovered the outlet pipe, cut the pipe with a |
| In a panic, you realize that the septic system is full | | | | pvc saw. If you have clay pipe I think it's just easier |
| and you can't remember the last time (if ever) you | | | | to break off the clay pipe completely and insert a |
| had the septic tank pumped. You pick up the yellow | | | | new solid PVC or SDR35 drain pipe. Once you have |
| pages and dial a septic company to come and pump | | | | inserted the new pipe into the tank you can mortar it |
| the tank. You are relieved to see the shower has | | | | in. |
| drained and that your plumbing nightmare is over -- | | | | Now, contact the local septic tank manufacturer and |
| or so you think! | | | | ask for a concrete distribution box and lay the box |
| You go about your life and forget about the septic | | | | level a few inches below the outlet pipe. You now |
| nightmare you just experienced. You get back to life | | | | have a place from which to start your trenches. |
| and your daily routine and it happens again. There in | | | | Now, begin to dig your trenches at 3' to 4' below the |
| the shower is that familiar sludge! Yuck. What is | | | | distribution box. You will want to make your trenches |
| happening? | | | | to the original plan in order to install the same amount |
| While this is an extremely stressful it is all to | | | | of leach area. |
| common. In the desert southwest of Tucson, | | | | Now, fill the trenches with 3/4' to 1' gravel and lay |
| Arizona we typically begin to see leach lines fail at | | | | your perforated pipes level throughout the trenches. |
| about 25 years. Your area might be a little different | | | | Backfill with at least 6" of gravel over the pipe and |
| but most leach fields begin to fail for lack of care. | | | | cover with a soil separator. |
| What are leaching fields exactly? Well, the leach fields | | | | Now, you are ready to backfill! |
| are underground gravel beds that receive all of the | | | | I have given you the very basics but I think you can |
| fluids from the septic tank. Fluid runs to a distribution | | | | get the idea. It's not rocket science but you want to |
| box and then to these gravel beds. After a number | | | | make sure you talk with your local Department of |
| of years tree roots, or sediment begins to clog the | | | | Environmental Quality before starting your work. In |
| gravel beds and perforated pipe. Eventually these | | | | some cases you will be required to scrap all of this |
| lines become so completely stopped up that the liquid | | | | and hookup to the city sewer system if they have |
| has nowhere to go but back into the tank, back up | | | | expanded service to your area. |
| the drain pipe and into the lowest level of your home. | | | | If you are not up for this work (not for most |
| So, what do you do about this? | | | | people) call on a licensed septic installer and get your |
| A number of companies on the web will attempt to | | | | 3 estimates. Make sure you ask about what kind of |
| sell you chemical products that they claim will repair | | | | condition they will leave the area when they are |
| your trouble. In my opinion you are wasting your | | | | done. If you want to save a little money you can |
| money. Once the leach fields are in this sort of shape | | | | take care of the clean up yourself. |
| you will most likely need to consider replacing the | | | | I hope this helped in some way. Good luck to you! |