The Importance of the Leach Field

If you have a septic system, you are likely already aware of what the septic tank does. What you may not know as much about is the leach field, which is also a major component of the septic system. Just because you aren’t aware of the leach field doesn’t mean that the purpose it serves is any less important.

As a most basic definition and description, the leach field works as a disposal filter for contaminants and liquids after they have been anaerobically digested and pass through the septic tank. The leach field is for disposing of organic materials that have already been catabolized by a microbial ecosystem; it gets rid of what is left after the bacteria have eaten what waste they will eat. The leach field will typically contain a system of trenches and gravel (or another porous material) covered in soil. This prevents animals and surface runoff from being able to reach the material being distributed by the trenches. A properly designed leach field considers hydraulics so the material can properly move through it, and catabolism for the biochemical oxygen demands of the wastewater.

Leach fields will over-saturate for a couple of reasons: either the field was not properly designed, or the workload it was designed for is underestimated and it is being overworked. Pooling in and around the leach field or in the yard is a primary symptom, due to the biosolid sludge and liquids no longer properly passing through the trenches. A failing leach field will also give off strong odors and possibly cause pipes to back up inside the home. These are signs of much larger problems to come; problems that are dangerous to the environment, humans, and animals.

All is not lost though. Like any other part of the home, a septic system requires routine, preventative maintenance to stop any sort of disaster from occurring. At Kaiser-Battistone, our team of friendly professionals can properly survey the issues you’re having with your leach field and address them accordingly, saving you time, money, headache and worry. So if you’re noticing any of these signs of septic system distress, call us today and one of our friendly staff will educate you and put you at ease. Let’s prevent that problem that’s bubbling in your back yard.

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