Had the tank pumped the other day. The guy said the drainfield is probably shot. He done it before. Any experience with drainfield cleaners or root killers. Drainfield are big $$$$.
Drainfield Woes
- Thread starter MaxMan
- Start date
wheelgun1958
Hunter
should be able to have it back flushed which may or may not help depending on what the problem is
Is there a problem other than the "s#!7" expert saying there is?
"The guy said the drainfield is probably shot. "
"The guy said the drainfield is probably shot. "
I'm not a 
expert and it's been years since I stayed at a Holiday Inn BUT people put a lot of 'stuff' down the drain that isn't poop. This 'stuff' builds up causing clogging or permeability issues that can be improved (not cured) by backflush/suction. Personally, I would try this before digging up the whole thing.
Do you have trees in the drainfield area? Some folks around here have had more serious issues since the drought began. Trees/shrubs send roots toward moisture and if the drains are the only source that's where roots go.
We installed almost 1/2 mile of field drain tile last summer(sort of the opposite expectation of sewer drainfield). I studied the theory of drain tile before and during this process and there's some weird stuff that happens under ground.
expert and it's been years since I stayed at a Holiday Inn BUT people put a lot of 'stuff' down the drain that isn't poop. This 'stuff' builds up causing clogging or permeability issues that can be improved (not cured) by backflush/suction. Personally, I would try this before digging up the whole thing.Do you have trees in the drainfield area? Some folks around here have had more serious issues since the drought began. Trees/shrubs send roots toward moisture and if the drains are the only source that's where roots go.
We installed almost 1/2 mile of field drain tile last summer(sort of the opposite expectation of sewer drainfield). I studied the theory of drain tile before and during this process and there's some weird stuff that happens under ground.
Huntfish918
Single-Sixer
If you have to get a new drain field, install the Infiltrator system. I am a licensed plumbing contractor, but do not have a septic license.
https://www.infiltratorwater.com/products/chambers/
https://www.infiltratorwater.com/products/chambers/
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Have you gotten a second opinion? Might be a good place to start.
Forum member Robb Barnes was in the septic business for years. Maybe he'll see this thread, or you could PM him.
OP
Infiltrator system, like a oxygenator?
OP
Thanks
OP
The drain field is 43 years old. There are some trees but not close. But not close on top doesn't me much if the trees have 40 years to reach the feast,
GypsmJim
GypsmJim
My drain field was shot at 35 years, when I bought the house. The septic contractor that pumped the tank said all the lines were clogged with soap. The laundry water went into a sump pump and was pumped out separately, so that wasn't the problem. As young marrieds we couldn't afford repairs, so we lived with it. There were 2 spots in the backyard that were 100% wet and we couldn't cut the grass. There were woods behind us so nobody was inconvenienced except us.
Fourteen years later the town put sewers through our street. Once approved we got permit #1 and our house was the first one connected.
Fourteen years later the town put sewers through our street. Once approved we got permit #1 and our house was the first one connected.
43 Years! Wow. So the drains are probably clay pipes? I would bet there isn't much left. I learned quite a bit about septic systems when we built our house last year. I talked with our contractor about septic tanks over and over.
How much are they quoting you for a new system?
We moved to Palatine, Illinois and not even a month after moving in, the main sewer line out of the house collapsed. It was close to $6,000 to have a new line put in. Not fun, especially after just buying the house.
cee_Kamp
Single-Sixer
Our home was purchased in 2018.
It was originally built in 1974.
The septic started backing up in spring 2019
The closest municipal sewer system is five miles away.
The contractor who built the original drain field used perforated white plastic pipe laid in gravel.
But they cheaped out on the plastic pipe.
It was not schedule 40 and over time crushed/collapsed.
We dug some of the old piping up that was crushed so flat, you couldn't stick your finger in the gap.
The crushed pipe had a wall thickness of about 1/8" and once visible, not surprisingly had crushed.
I have a friend in the business, who inspected the septic tank, and it was still in good shape including the baffles.
It's a 1000 gallon pre-cast concrete tank. The only fault was the collapsed drain field plastic pipes.
My neighbor brought his excavator over to my place and dug the trench system in a few hours.
I could have done the digging with the backhoe on my Kubota tractor, but it would have taken days.
We installed this: https://www.infiltratorwater.com/products/chambers/arc-series/arc-18/
Three fifty foot runs off of a common outlet from the concrete tank.
Half day for the excavation and install. I did the backfilling myself with my tractor front loader bucket.
There is no stone/gravel/sand needed.
One load of topsoil for getting the grass growing again.
I recall having about $500 invested for the Arc chambers, schedule 40 PVC and fittings, and around $400 for the tri-axle load of topsoil.
My neighbor didn't charge me for the excavator time, or his four man crew who installed the PVC piping, fittings, and Arc chambers.
We work out our labor/time and help each other. The barter system.
We buy our own materials.
We are out in the boondocks, no code enforcement, no nosy neighbors, no inspections.
It was originally built in 1974.
The septic started backing up in spring 2019
The closest municipal sewer system is five miles away.
The contractor who built the original drain field used perforated white plastic pipe laid in gravel.
But they cheaped out on the plastic pipe.
It was not schedule 40 and over time crushed/collapsed.
We dug some of the old piping up that was crushed so flat, you couldn't stick your finger in the gap.
The crushed pipe had a wall thickness of about 1/8" and once visible, not surprisingly had crushed.
I have a friend in the business, who inspected the septic tank, and it was still in good shape including the baffles.
It's a 1000 gallon pre-cast concrete tank. The only fault was the collapsed drain field plastic pipes.
My neighbor brought his excavator over to my place and dug the trench system in a few hours.
I could have done the digging with the backhoe on my Kubota tractor, but it would have taken days.
We installed this: https://www.infiltratorwater.com/products/chambers/arc-series/arc-18/
Three fifty foot runs off of a common outlet from the concrete tank.
Half day for the excavation and install. I did the backfilling myself with my tractor front loader bucket.
There is no stone/gravel/sand needed.
One load of topsoil for getting the grass growing again.
I recall having about $500 invested for the Arc chambers, schedule 40 PVC and fittings, and around $400 for the tri-axle load of topsoil.
My neighbor didn't charge me for the excavator time, or his four man crew who installed the PVC piping, fittings, and Arc chambers.
We work out our labor/time and help each other. The barter system.
We buy our own materials.
We are out in the boondocks, no code enforcement, no nosy neighbors, no inspections.
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- Alabama, in the bend of the Tennessee River
We just did a new house 2.5 years ago, I think the septic tank/drainfield cost was around $6000. Then last year the utility company came in to do some ROW tree trimming and ran over my drainfield (infiltrator system), crushing several parts of it. It cost them $4000 to have a licensed septic system guy repair it.
I built precast concrete septic tanks and did installations for about 5 years working with my wife's uncle, but that was 40 years ago. The infiltrator systems are an improvement over the old perforated pipe and gravel ditch systems we did back then. A lot more exposure/contact between the available ground and the septic tank effluent liquid. As I understand them, they make use of evaporation as well as absorption.
I built precast concrete septic tanks and did installations for about 5 years working with my wife's uncle, but that was 40 years ago. The infiltrator systems are an improvement over the old perforated pipe and gravel ditch systems we did back then. A lot more exposure/contact between the available ground and the septic tank effluent liquid. As I understand them, they make use of evaporation as well as absorption.
OP
$6,000 - $ 8,000
OP
Huntfish918
Single-Sixer
No, eliminates the need for gravel.
Huntfish918
Single-Sixer
Correct
I installed the infiltrator system 26 years ago. Only thing you have to watch for is moles and gophers. In theory, they will stay out of the tunnel because of the water, in reality, you don't run enough water to keep them out. I guess now they recommend putting a stainless screen in the bottom of the ditch. My buddy that helped me put it in retired and gave me a bunch of sections so I have some spares. My field is up hill of the house and I have a pump in my tank. Pumps up to the top leg of the field which is the shortest leg, then they get progressively longer but of course, only the first 12 feet ever get used. If I ever have issues, I'll just dig up the first 12 feet and replace it. Really a pretty good system. My buddy said the cost of the tunnels gets offset by the cost of buying screened gravel and having to bed the pipe and just the time and labor to do it all.
OP
OP
So, here's the plan:
Buy one of these
www.amazon.com/Inspection-DEPSTECH-Endoscope-Borescope-Waterproof/dp/B0CMTX8ZM6/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=sewer+camera&qid=1706137187&sr=8-2-spons&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.f5122f16-c3e8-4386-bf32-63e904010ad0&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1
Amazon product ASIN B0CMTX8ZM6If roots are the issue rent one of these
https://www.homedepot.com/p/rental/...al-Drain-Cleaner-88GP-CK-R-1-2-8TRS/316821706If there are no roots then copious amounts of Green Gobbler.
Smart guys input welcome
Buy one of these
www.amazon.com/Inspection-DEPSTECH-Endoscope-Borescope-Waterproof/dp/B0CMTX8ZM6/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?keywords=sewer+camera&qid=1706137187&sr=8-2-spons&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.f5122f16-c3e8-4386-bf32-63e904010ad0&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1
Amazon product ASIN B0CMTX8ZM6If roots are the issue rent one of these
https://www.homedepot.com/p/rental/...al-Drain-Cleaner-88GP-CK-R-1-2-8TRS/316821706If there are no roots then copious amounts of Green Gobbler.
Smart guys input welcome
