Everything that goes down the drains in your home flows into your septic tank, and eventually out into the soil of your drain field. It makes perfect sense as a destination for moisture that your drain field would get wet sometimes, but what if it happens all the time? You might have problems with your septic system.
Weather and your Septic Drain Field
The most obvious and natural cause of a wet drain field is rain. Even a ten minute shower can cause puddles to form in soil that’s less absorbent. Quick storms might come and go without you noticing, especially if rain falls just before you wake up, or while you’ve been out away from home. Watch out for heavy rain, as too much water in the soil can cause septic problems.
Check the Grade of your Drain Field
When your drain field and septic tank were buried, the level of the ground may have been left uneven. Depressions in the soil may cause water to pool up there longer than the rest of your yard. Try rolling some golf balls or something similar to see where they roll to, and compare that with where water tends to pool up.
Check for Odors above your Drain Field
If your drain field stays wet and smells a little like sewage, you could be having real problems with your septic system. A septic failure demands immediate attention from septic professionals like those at Maui Pumping.
If the pipes that let water out into the soil of your drain field get clogged or cracked, the best course of action is to call Maui Pumping. Pipes can be replaced easier than an entire septic tank, but it still takes a lot of digging and some time.
Keep Healthy Foliage Above your Drain Field
If the soil of your drain field isn’t handling moisture well, introducing some plants can help. Just make sure it’s a shrub, bush, or simple flowers so the roots can’t dig down deep enough to damage the pipes of your drain field. Trees, even small fruit trees should be planted far away from septic drain fields. Reasonable, well-kept shrubs and small bushes can help absorb excess moisture.
