This article will discuss details on fixing and preventing leach field wet spots? The timeless tale of the septic system has finally come to you when you acquired your own home. It was never an easy task to accept that such a graphic system exists right beneath your home. Though it is quite disgusting to think about, the septic system is a very indispensable assistant in maintaining a safe and healthy household. Part of being a good homeowner is to know what makes your septic system tick and fail. If you knew these basics, then it should be less stressful for you to live in your new home.
Part of the septic system’s maintenance is to know the ways of fixing and preventing leach field wet spots. Do actually know how to do this? Did you really take the time to talk to your septic expert about fixing and preventing leach field wet spots?
To execute this basic task, you have to know the cause of the problem. The following are some of the known causes of leach field wet spots:
a) Clogs
The leach field is very prone to blockages. Hardwood roots penetrate deep enough to clog the normal flow of the wastewater. When you dump grease and non-biodegradable materials, the resident bacteria cannot do anything about them, they cannot be broken down so they just drift in the system and clog it. You should remove the roots manually and then relocate the plants to an area in your yard away from system. Also stop your careless dumping of non-biodegradables and grease into your system. Have your septic expert immediately pump out the system as well.
b) Non-existent bacteria
When the resident bacteria cease to exist, the septic system does the same. Bacteria are the ones responsible for breaking down the solid waste materials that come in with the wastewater. Using strong solvents and antibacterial cleaners corrode the physical parts of the system and annihilate the existing bacterial population. With this, the process of decomposition stops and the solid waste materials are left to accumulate at an increased rate, which will eventually lead to system failure. There are various solutions such as treating the system with additional non-pathogenic bacteria and stopping the use of your current house cleaning products.
c) Physical component damage
Old age, soil compaction, and root invasion are the usual culprits in leach field component damage. You have to check with your septic expert concerning the age of your septic system especially when you just bought it. There may be some parts that already need replacement. Heavy vehicles and structures over the system bring about soil compaction. They crush and break off connections that are vital in channeling the effluent. Invasive roots also cause gaps and cracks. These damages result to leaks that make the wastewater back up into your home or yard as leach field wet spots. In soil compaction and root invasion, the vehicles, structures, and plants should be removed from the septic area and replanted away from the system.
d) Failure to pump out
When you fail to have your septic system pumped out, you sentence your system to death. As you may already know, sludge accumulates on a regular basis. It has to be maintained at normal levels so it won’t interrupt with the treatment of the wastewater. Pump out schedules depend on the number of people in your home so it would be better to clarify that with your septic expert. It only costs 75 to 300 USD to have your system pumped out. It is a relatively cheaper amount than 30,000 USD to make ready for a system replacement.
It’s true that it can be very taxing to be on your guard all the time when it comes to caring for your septic system. But you have to do it if you want to maximize its lifespan. The septic system is a very expensive component of your property so you have to really exert extra effort to keep it running. Fixing and preventing leach field wet spots is a practice that every smart home owner should observe.