IGX

Anyone familiar with septic drainfield issues?

Here in the Pacific Northwest, we've just survived record-level rainfall and my septic system has suffered. I had the septic tank pumped, but there is standing water in the line to the drainfield. The first diagnosis I've gotten is: failed drainfield; and the fix is to re-engineer & replace the drainfield. $$$
Other possible diagnoses: obstructed pipe between the septic system & the drainfield. Or partially obstructed drainfield lines.

At the foot of my yard in the drainfield area, there's standing water above the level of the drainfield pipes. It seems to me that my real issue is lack of drainage, rather than a failed drainfield.

Any suggestions*/diagnostics from knowledgeable IGx'rs?




*I know, I'm trying to poop less. Am now eating less fiber.

Look up "head pressure". If the elevations - standing water etc end up with more pressure on the outlet side of the inlet pipe than the water flowing from the drains - the water is NOT going to push its way into the leech bed etc.

Is your yard a suitable place for a French Drain?

Good suggestion. I am contemplating installing a French Drain. I definitely would, if I were going to stay in the house for years more.

In the meantime, I've bought some Magic Beans that I've put into the system that will restore shit-eating bacteria and return things to normal function.

I'll report back in a few weeks. Don't go anywhere. Just watch this thread for the exciting conclusion to this story.