How Excess Water Ruins Septic Drain Fields

Homeowners are aware that regular septic tank maintenance is necessary; however, very few realize that it's not what goes down the drain but how much water flows through it that causes the most severe problems. Too much water can lead to drainfield problems, with serious implications. At Mr. Rooter Plumbing, we provide comprehensive septic tank services, including septic pumping, septic cleaning, and other maintenance. As an experienced septic company operating in Riverside and its environs, here is all that you need to know about excess water causing drain field failure.

How a Drain Field Is Designed to Work

A well-balanced process is necessary for a healthy drain field. The wastewater, or effluent, from the septic tank is directed to a system of pipes with holes, filled with gravel and buried underground, where it is clarified. The effluent then slowly and uniformly percolates into the surrounding soil, where natural biological systems filter and treat it before it again becomes part of the groundwater supply. It's a great system as long as water is coming in at a steady, controlled pace, but it's not engineered to handle large amounts of water or sudden gushes. If excess water is applied at once, it can fill the soil, preventing it from absorbing and treating effluent, which can lead to gradual deterioration of the drain field and subsequent damage.

The Hydraulic Overload Problem Affects the Entire System

A hydraulic overload occurs when a household consumes much more water than can be safely treated by the septic system, such as when they have many more visitors than the system was designed to serve, or when they use several appliances at the same time, or if they have a leak under the sink that's constantly pouring water into the tank. The tank fills too quickly, and partially treated or even untreated wastewater is pumped into the drain field before the separation process is done. The solids and greasy materials that should be in the tank end up in the drain field pipes, clogging the gravel and soil. A biomat, or a thick layer of organic matter, develops over time along the soil interface, and eventually, absorption is completely inhibited. Professional septic cleaning and septic pumping can help keep a biomat in place; however, if a drain field becomes severely compromised, it can be very expensive to repair or replace.

Services

Septic Service

Wastewater treatment systems require regular maintenance, including septic cleaning and pumping in Riverside. Even if your system functions as expected,…

Water Filtration Installation

We often take it for granted that the water coming from our taps is clean, safe, and ready to use. After…

Water Heaters

Whether it's for a steamy shower, a load of laundry, or washing up after dinner, we rely on hot water every…

Common Sources of Excess Water Homeowners Overlook

Hydraulic overloads don't always happen dramatically. Many grow slowly and are considered normal practices by homeowners. Using the washing machine and dishwasher at the same time, long showers in a row, multiple loads of laundry in one day, and directing roof drainage or irrigation water to the drain field are some factors that can add too much water to the drain field. A leaking toilet or a drip in your plumbing system, which may take several weeks to fix, can add up to sufficient extra water to put a strain on the system over time. Regular septic service allows our technicians to see these usage trends and take action on any early signs of trouble, before they reach the drain field.

How to keep Your Drain Field in Good Health

The most effective way to avoid drain field damage is to use water wisely and have your system professionally serviced regularly. Septic pumping prevents solids from washing into the drain field, and septic cleaning helps ensure the tank continues to process properly. Our crew at Mr. Rooter Plumbing Riverside can assess your system's condition and provide a service schedule tailored to your household's needs.

Don't wait until the soil is saturated or sewer gas can be detected to indicate that something is wrong with your drain field. Call Mr. Rooter Plumbing today, and let our expert septic company in Jurupa Valley, CA keep your septic system well-maintained and ready to perform for years with septic pumping, septic cleanings, and septic service.