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The drain field is a vital part of your home’s septic system. After the waste from your home enters the septic tank and is broken down by bacteria, the remaining water is pushed into the drain field, where it’s processed before being expelled back into the earth. The drain field contains a series of perforated pipes to allow the water from the septic to trickle into the surrounding soil or gravel. Like any other part of the septic system, it’s vulnerable to damage. Fortunately, there are some obvious signs that your drain field needs repair. 

4 Warning Signs of a Drain Field Problem

1.  Pooling Water

One major sign of a drain field issue is pooling or standing water in the drain field area surrounding your septic tank. Pools of water can be caused by several different issues, including a damaged or crushed pipe, a clogged pipe, or problems with the soil or gravel surrounding the pipes. It can also mean that your septic tank is full and needs to be pumped, or that your household is using more water than the system can efficiently process. 

2. Sewage Odors

septic tankIf you catch a whiff of sewage in the drain field area or inside your home, it could be an issue with the drain field. Sometimes it means that your septic tank needs to be pumped, but odors in the drain field could indicate a broken or clogged pipe. Call for repairs immediately if you notice a smelly, dark sludge in the drain field. This means the systems is releasing waste into the drain field, which is an environmental hazard that needs to be addressed right away.

3. Unexpectedly Greener Grass

If the grass around your septic tank suddenly gets much greener than the rest of the lawn, there’s likely an issue with the drain field. Grass that’s a noticeably different color than the surrounding area indicates that excess waste is coming from the pipes, feeding the grass more nutrients. While you might like the thriving plants, they aren’t a good sign for your septic system. 

4. Slow Drains

When the toilet is slow to flush, liquid takes forever to go down the drain, or you notice backups in your drains, it could be a problem in your drain field. A single clogged drain may be a problem for a plumber, but if every drain and toilet in your home drains slowly, it’s likely a full septic tank or clogged drain field pipe. 

 

If you suspect a problem with your drain field, call the professionals at Carolina Pipe Cleaning Inc. in Rockwell, NC. For two decades, this family-owned company has provided residential and commercial plumbing services to the area, including water heater installation, drain cleaning, pipe repair, and septic tank maintenance. Check out their website for more information and a new customer offer, and request service by calling (704) 279-1151.

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