Septic drain fields do not last forever and may have an average useful life of approximately 20 years or so. As with just about anything else, it will need to be replaced from time to time.
The drain field is the method for moving household waste from the septic tank to ground past the tank. It consists of a series of pipes buried in the ground and perforated so the waste will leech out over an area of several hundred square feet. The pipe is normally encased in crushed stone for proper drainage. This method prevents waste from collecting in one small area.
Local building codes usually have requirements regarding how long the lateral drains must be, the pitch of the lateral pipes, the depths they must be laid and the material used to encase the drain field. Failing to follow codes may require the owner to do the job again.
When a field must be replaced, it is usually best to hire a professional to perform an inspection before any work is commenced. The inspection may reveal that the drain field might not need to be totally replaced, as repair of certain elements might be all that is necessary. For example, cleaning out roots in the drain pipe may be all that is necessary.
When the field must be replaced, professionals are usually the best route. Several trenches, up to 100 feet in length, may need to be dug. This normally requires special equipment may be needed for the digging, often out of the range of the average DIY homeowner. In addition, the pipes must be laid at a certain pitch to ensure proper drainage. An improperly constructed field can fail in as little as a week. Because of the expense of installing the field, the owner will want to make sure it is done correctly the first time.
Fortunately, there are drain field replacement orlando companies available. A company such as American Septic offers drains field inspection and replacement, septic tank pump out services and lift services for those systems containing a lift station.