Please Help with Drainfield

[Joel A]

Hi gang,

I need your help please.

I hope I am posting in the right section. I noticed a few months ago that my drainfield had puddling. Out of desperation, I tried AmeriSep. (I know, I know, I wasted money.) Then I tried some Septic-Flow Septic Drainfield Repair System I saw in Amazon. I bought 5 gallons. I applied them directly to the wet spot, as instructed. The spots went away, but now new spots are appearing.(BTW. I had the tank pumped out in June 2012. The tank cleaner said the tank looked good. )
So I returned to Amazon to see what else is available. I see that they have Bio-Safe One. But now I’m doubting its legitimacy because there is a troll here that has posted his ‘reviews’ on the product.

What else can be done, other done get a contractor and install a new pipe? Should I get more Septic-Flow to treat the drainfield?

Thanks in advance.

[ballvalve]

All of those magic elixers are a scam. Forget it.

What is the age of the leachfield and about how many lines and length? chambers or rock and pipe?

You should have a distribution box, try and find it and make sure each run gets its perfect share. Many D boxes are poorly set and shift all flow to one line.

[Joel A]

All of those magic elixers are a scam. Forget it.

What is the age of the leachfield and about how many lines and length? chambers or rock and pipe?

You should have a distribution box, try and find it and make sure each run gets its perfect share. Many D boxes are poorly set and shift all flow to one line.

The house was built in the early 70's. My wife and I bought it in 2001. Tank has been pumped out 3 times since our purchase. I am not sure how many lines. I say at least two (2) lines because I have seen wet spots in two locations. When I get a chance I will take picture of the location of the tank and location of the wet spots.

I have been lurking this site all afternoon. From what I have read, an average lifespan of a tank / drainfield is roughly 30-50 years? It sounds like I am due for an expensive replacement? I hope there is something I can do to prolong the life of the field so I can save money. UGHHH..

[Joel A]

ballvalve,

To answer your other question, I want to say it's rock and pipe. As far as length, I would say each line is at least 20-feet long. We live in the country on a 2-acre land.

[wallskev]

Thenecessary length of a conventional septic drainfield trench as a function of the soil percolation rate and the anticipated daily wastewater flow from the building served. The field is a series of trenches that may be up to 100-feet long and 1 foot to 3 feet in width, separated by six feet or more, depending on local requirements

There is a table on the link http://inspectapedia.com/septic/fiel...htm#fieldsize3

You may also want to check out this site : http://inspectapedia.com/septic/septicdiag1.htm there is a chart down in the text "Soils Septic System Troubleshooting Chart"

[Joel A]

thanks for the links. very informative.

Thenecessary length of a conventional septic drainfield trench as a function of the soil percolation rate and the anticipated daily wastewater flow from the building served. The field is a series of trenches that may be up to 100-feet long and 1 foot to 3 feet in width, separated by six feet or more, depending on local requirements

There is a table on the link http://inspectapedia.com/septic/fiel...htm#fieldsize3

You may also want to check out this site : http://inspectapedia.com/septic/septicdiag1.htm there is a chart down in the text "Soils Septic System Troubleshooting Chart"

[ballvalve]

Your tank is okay, and you can or must make the drainfield longer. 20' is unheard of. A one bedroom here gets 200'. They actually could do 100', but they know your going to add on and not ask.