Restoring Septic System Drain Fields

The drainfield, also known as the leachfield, absorption bed, disposal field or seepage field performs the task of accepting and processing wastewater, or effluent, from the septic tank before it returns to natural aquifers below the earth's surface. All systems rely on the ability of the drainfield soil to absorb water.

A typical drainfield is gravity fed. It usually consists of several gravel-filled trenches with perforated drainpipe buried just below the surface of the gravel running the length of the trenches. The effluent is distributed, usually through a distribution box, to the various lateral drainpipes exiting through the perforations into the surrounding gravel bed. Secondary processing begins in these beds as the effluent fills the trench then seeps through the biomat and into the surrounding soil. There are many other configurations commonly in use.

Infiltrator® systems are more recent technology. Infiltrator chambers are hollow structures that attach end-to-end. They are installed in trenches or beds without gravel (except where local codes require the use of gravel). The entire bottom of the trench is open for unobstructed infiltration of water. The large storage volume within the hollow chambers accommodates peak flows of effluent from the home. Infiltrator chambers also feature patented sidewall louvers that allow lateral leaching of effluent into the soil.

Mound Systems
On problem sites, mound systems may be an alternative. In a mound system, septic tank effluent is delivered to the mound through the use of a pump in a dosing tank placed after the septic tank. The mound itself is carefully constructed above ground using specially selected sand placed on top of the natural soil to help treat and dispose of septic tank effluent. The depth of sand is determined by the depth of the natural soil above a limiting layer. A limiting layer can be bedrock, a soil layer with a very low percolation rate, or seasonally high groundwater. The depth of sand added to the depth of the natural soil must equal the minimum treatment depth prescribed by local authority.

Restoring Failed Drain Fields:
Failed drain fields may be restored by applying Septic Seep in greater quantities. Good results have been obtained by applying 4 gallons directly to the drain field soil as a shock treatment. This amount is based on a typical home with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Septic Seep should be applied to the soil through a distribution box, cleanout, or el leading directly to the drain field, bypassing the septic tank. If there is a distribution box it could be made of plastic, concrete or other material.

Have the tank pumped the day you intend to apply Septic Seep. All standing water should be pumped from the drain field if possible. If water is running back to the tank, pump as much as possible to relieve the hydrostatic pressure in the field. You may have to dig below the surface of the soil to find your distribution box.

If you do not have, or cannot find, a distribution box, cleanout, or el leading directly to the drain field, the product may be applied through the outlet of the septic tank using a funnel with a length of old garden hose attached. Place the end of the hose in the septic tank outlet and pour all 4 gallons through the funnel. Follow the application with enough clear water (up to 50 gallons) to flush the product deeper into the field.

PLEASE NOTE: Some septic tanks have a “T” outlet, or baffle installed on the outlet to reduce the amount of solids flowing to the drain field. These types of systems may prevent accessing the outlet in this way. If it is not possible to access the tank outlet, or use any other method of direct drain field application the product may be applied through a toilet or drain. Although not AS effective as a shock treatment applied directly to the soil, application in this manner will help restore drain field soil. Septic Seep has been shown to be effective in solutions as dilute as 1 part per 1,000.

If the septic tank has not been properly maintained, drainfield soil may be clogged by organic solids, fat, oil and grease, which have migrated from the tank to the soil. If this condition exists Septic Seep will help the effluent penetrate the biomat and enter the soil, but it will not treat the condition directly. To treat contaminated drainfield soil we recommend a follow up treatment of Mega-Bio™ dissolvable industrial-strength powdered bacteria formulation. This two-prong attack of soil penetrating chemicals and grease eating bacteria is highly effective.

WARNING: Septic tanks can be hazardous. Noxious gases collect in the top of the tank, and tank contents pose a health hazard. We recommend hiring a licensed professional septic service technician if application must be done through the tank outlet.

Septic Seep has been used successfully for over 50 years, but due to the wide range of contributing factors that may cause drain field failure, we cannot guarantee the effectiveness of Septic Seep or Mega-Bio.

We want you to know the truth. We don’t claim that Septic Seep will solve everyone's septic system problems. If you haven’t had your septic tank pumped in 20 years your problem is probably beyond the scope of what Septic Seep can do. The best results can be obtained when Septic Seep is applied to soil that has a high clay content. If you don’t know what kind of soil you have read the "Signs of Septic System Failure" page on this web site.

The bottom line is: if your septic system drain field is failing, you have several choices you can make ranging from an expensive total replacement to trying a product like ours. It may not work, but it probably will, isn’t it worth a try? We know there are other companies who offer guarantees on their products, but please read the fine print, know what is being guaranteed.

We know that Septic Seep has not damaged a drain field in over 50 years of use. Additionally, we guarantee that we are bringing you a high quality product with a track record we can be proud of.

Recently, we introduced a new product Mega-Bio™ industrial-strength bacteria drainfield treatment. We canvased the biological manufacturing industry and found what we believe to be one of the best, if not the best, bacteria formulation for use in septic drainfields. The manufacturer is of the highest caliber with a long history in the formulation of remedial biological products. We are proud to bring this product to the marketplace and very pleased with the response of our customers to our new product Mega-Bio.

We want you to be satisfied with your purchase. Before ordering make sure your plumbing is intact, and that there is no root intrusion. If you're having a problem with your system, check out the possibilities. Once you are sure that the cause of your problem is soil failure order our products.

I appreciate your business.
Carl Perna
President - West Wind Marketing, Inc.