This article will cover how calcium can cause clogging in a drain field. How do you know if you’re doing the right thing for your home? You know that you are very busy. You also know that you don’t implement strict rules around the house, just as long as everything is in good condition and everyone gets along. If you are a responsible homeowner who considers the functionality of the house, you have to make sure that every component is optimal. The utilities should always be paid for and inspected regularly. The appliances and furniture should always be checked and cleaned properly. The entire living space should be clean and sanitized. One major way to ensure this is to keep your septic system happy. Think about it as a pet you have underground. It is composed of bacteria, which degrade the solid organic waste particles. Once the solid waste particles are broken down, the clear effluent could already pass through the drain field so that it could be purified before it is released and reused in the surrounding environment.
The drain field is known to be the last phase of wastewater treatment. Here, you will find the aerobic bacteria that regulate the biomat. Biomat purifies the effluent. It rids it of pathogens and toxins. When the drain field becomes clogged, it will develop more problems until it fails. Many factors contribute to the clogging of the drain field. Trees have invasive roots that seek out water and nutrients. Since your drain field is closes to them, they grow into the drain lines and clog the drain field. The cracks they produce also result to leaks that prevent the normal flow of wastewater treatment in the drain field. Another cause for drain field clogging is soil compaction. Heavy structures and vehicles over the drain field actually crush the drain field components. The damage results to leaks and cracks, inviting sediments into the lines. These foreign substances will then clog the drain field. Excessive water load brought in by heavy rains and greywater from the dishwasher or washing machine stirs up the solid waste materials in the septic tank. The anaerobic bacteria in the tank cannot break them down properly anymore. As a result, the solid particles are pushed into the drain field and this event results to clogging.
Improper waste disposal is another cause for drain field clogging. Grease and plastic are the usual culprits in drain field clogging. Drains and toilets are treated as trash bins. When the non-biodegradable materials reach the septic tank, they will not be degraded by the resident bacteria. They just stay in there and accumulate. Eventually, they will be pushed into the drain field to clog it. You could also include using harsh chemicals in the house. These strong bases and acids kill off the resident bacteria. Without bacteria, there will be no wastewater treatment. The solid particles will just gather in the tank. Eventually, they will be pushed into the drain field. Also know how calcium can cause clogging in the drain field. Calcium sulfoaluminate or ettringite also cause problems. It all begins with the thiocillus bacteria. These bacteria perform anaerobic digestion, which produces hydrogen sulfide gas. This gas accumulates in the headspace above the water line. It then reacts with oxygen to produce sulfuric acid. The sulfuric acid forms the ettringite. When you see ettringite forming on the concrete reinforcement of the entire septic system, it is the ultimate sign of deterioration. Once the concrete deteriorates, the metal components corrode. Damage ensues and this brings in sediments and excess water from the surrounding environment. Leaks also block the normal flow of wastewater treatment.
To eliminate or prevent ettringite formation, you should talk to your septic expert about aerating your septic. Doing so increases the amount of oxygen in the system. it blocks the hydrogen sulfide gas from taking over the headspace above the water line. As a result, sulfuric acid is not formed and drain field clogging is inhibited.