|
When a leach field fails, it is no longer
able to disperse the effluent from the tank at a rate equal to the flow from the
house. To determine whether a system is in failure and needs repair, we look
for the following:
-
No cast iron pipe at
the tank outlet: when the outlet pipe has broken
off, effluent is unable to be carried to the field.
-
An “overfull” tank:
the tank is always full, with the effluent level resting just below the outlet
tee. If the effluent level rises above the outlet tee and remains there, it
indicates that effluent is not being properly distributed to the field.
-
Surfacing effluent in the field: when effluent
surfaces above the field, it indicates that the field has become saturated or
“water-logged.”
-
Rich growth and/or
thistles on top of the leach field
-
Considerable flow-back:
after the tank has been pumped down, the flow-back into the tank can be
observed. If the flow-back is considerable (more than the amount in the
outfall pipe) it indicates that effluent from the field is flowing back into
the tank instead of percolating into the soil.
-
Excavate and open the
distribution box: the distribution box can be
excavated and opened to verify effluent is reaching the field.
Please see System Repair under Services.
|