What Is A Leach Field?
A leach field is an underground network of perforated pipes located next to the septic tank. You can often refer to it as a septic tank drain field or a leach drain. After the liquid exits the septic tank, pollutants and other impurities must be eliminated via the leach field.
How Does a Leach Field Work?
Your septic system includes a septic tank, pipes, and a drain field. This suggests that in order to grasp how a leach field operates, you must also understand how your entire septic system functions.
Below is how your septic system and leach field operate:
- One primary drainage line transports all of the water from your house to a septic tank.
- Septic tanks are subterranean, watertight containers that are frequently include different types of materials such as concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene. Its job is to hold onto the sewage long enough for the solids to drop to the bottom and form sludge and the liquids to rise to the top and create scum. Sludge and scum are prevented from leaving the tank and entering the drain field by compartments and a T-shaped outlet.
- Then, the tank’s liquid wastewater (effluent) is released onto the drain field.
- Pipelines used to discharge pretreated wastewater onto porous surfaces let the wastewater filter through the soil. Wastewater is absorbed, cleaned, and distributed as it filters down through the soil, eventually discharging to groundwater. The drain field may flood if it overloads with fluids, allowing sewage to pour onto the ground or causing backups in sinks and toilets.
- Finally, the wastewater naturally removes harmful coliform bacteria, viruses, and nutrients by percolating into the soil. The majority of coliform bacteria are found in the intestines of people and other warm-blooded animals. It is a symptom of contamination by human waste.
Where Is The Leach Field Located?
You typically situate leach fields close to or around your septic tank. Leach fields are large subsurface spaces that can extend up to 100 feet beneath your front or back yard. The leach field should be at least 50 feet away from any water source, with the trenches typically being 2-4 feet deep (like a well, river, or lake). In your leach field, there should typically be 6 feet of space in between each trench.
How Often Do You Need To Service Your Leach Field?
You won’t even notice that your septic system and leach field exist if they are operating properly. However, if you’re having any of the following issues, you probably need to call a plumber:
- Sewage odor coming from your yard or leach field
- Your leach field’s top is covered in water (on the yard)
- Slow drains throughout your house
- Recurring clogs in your toilets or drains at home
The size of your leach field, how much water you use, and the type of system you have can all affect how often you need to maintain your septic system. Septic maintenance is normally only necessary every few years.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, there are a number of factors that determine a need for a septic tank. The size of the property, the kind of soil, and the distance from a city sewer line are some of the variables that affect whether or not you should build a home with a septic tank or a connection to a city sewage system; without mentioning zoning regulations and regional building codes.
A leach field is one of the most important components of a septic system. More so, as a homeowner it is important to know where it is located and how to properly maintain it.
Call 1-Tom-Plumber
Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need any plumbing, drain cleaning, or excavation service. 1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem.
We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.
