Leach Field Not Draining? How to Unclog a Septic Drain Field Safely

Does the ground feel mushy whenever you walk in your yard? Not just that, your toilet takes longer to drain after you flush? Chances are, your leach field is clogged. But why is that a big issue? Well, if the wastewater doesn’t soak into the soil, where will it go?

Chances are, it will go back to your house, cause backups in the house, and become the reason for the contamination of the yard, soil, and nearby water. When pipes get blocked, water can't flow out of them and into the ground. This means that the field can't soak up any more wastewater.

Read on as Dr. Pooper explores the tips and tricks for unclogging your septic drain field, and provides practical DIY steps, professional options, and prevention to solve your problem once and for all.

What Is a Leach Field?

But first, we need to understand what a leach field is. The septic tank sends wastewater to the leach field, which is also called a drain field. A network of perforated PVC drain pipes, crushed stone, and a layer of dry earth make up this part of the septic system. Most of the time, gravity moves wastewater from the septic tank to the dumping bed. 

The wastewater then goes into the leaching bed, runs over the crushed stones, and seeps into the soil that will receive it. In this last step of the filter, bacteria and other microbes treat the wastewater even more before it gets to the water table. This natural way of cleaning keeps groundwater from getting dirty. But sometimes it gets clogged up.

What Causes a Leach Field to Get Clogged?

But the question is, how does it get clogged in the first place? Several causes make a leach field clog, and some of them are:

• If the septic tank isn’t pumped regularly, excess solid waste from the septic tank bypasses and collects in the leach field, which accumulates over time and clogs the pores.

• People flush more than their waste at times, things like Fats, oils, grease (FOG), wipes, and chemicals form blockages that trap the solids further.

• If you use too much water, that can also actually clog and flood the field. 

• Sometimes, Tree roots in search of water infiltrate pipes and cause blockages.

• Mostly, these blockages are caused by improper tank maintenance.

Early Warning Signs of a Failing or Clogged Leach Field

But how do you know that your Leach field is clogged? Unless you open your septic tank and check it daily, there have to be other ways to check it:

How to Unclog a Leach Field

So, these signs are visible in your field, and now you’re wondering how you should be tackling this issue. Here at Dr. Pooper, we recommend the following steps:

• First, stop using excess water, try to limit your water usage, and avoid overfilling the tank as much as possible.

• Next, open the spetik tank, and have a look if the issue is severe, or it is minor. Depending on that, you take the necessary steps.

• There are some beneficial bacteria that break down the waste, so avoid using any harsh chemicals, which would kill them.

To unclog the leach field, the best course of action is to get the Dr Pooper Septic Drain Field Cleaner. It uses ingredients that instantly unclog your drains and other septic tank blockages, without killing any of the necessary beneficial bacteria that break down waste matter naturally.

Professional Solutions for a Leach Field That Doesn’t Drain

If the clog is so severe, apart from using Dr. Pooper’s  Septic Drain Field Cleaner, you should call the plumbers and get the issue checked professionally. 

• Septic tank pumping and inspection: You can ask them to pump out the waste that has piled up and check the field to make sure that extra waste doesn't become stuck in the drain field.

• Jetting or mechanical line cleaning: If pumping doesn’t solve the problem, some plumbers will use special tools and high-pressure water to forcibly unclog the pipes and get the water flowing again.

• Aeration or soil rejuvenation: Some specialists use aeration to raise the oxygen levels in the soil. This helps natural bacteria break down waste more effectively, and the soil can leach naturally again.

• Drain field repair or replacement (last resort): If your system is too broken to fix, the only thing you can do is replace the whole thing, which is called drain field replacement.

Ideally, using these solutions alongside Dr. Pooper Septic Drain Field Cleaner works like magic; it instantly unclogs the pores, making further work for the professionals a piece of cake.

Long-Term Maintenance Tips to Prevent Future Clogs

“Prevention is better than cure,” which is why you must understand certain maintenance tips, which would help you prevent these issues for a long time to come.

Conclusion

Lerach Field clogging is a problem no one likes to deal with. With simple steps and some professional help, you can easily deal with this problem. Dr. Pooper's Septic Drain Field Cleaner isn't just a temporary repair; if you flush one tablet down your toilet every few months, you'll never have to worry with a clogged drain field again. It also gets rid of any smell and is safe to use, so it doesn't kill the good bacteria.

FAQs

1. How do you unclog your leach field?

Use less water, get rid of biological buildup, stay away from chemicals, and use enzyme-based remedies like Dr. Pooper.

2. What is the best product to unclog a leach field?

Dr. Pooper's septic solutions are examples of enzyme and bacteria-based treatments made for drain fields.

3. How can I make my leach field drain better?

Improve the balance of microorganisms, lower the amount of solids, protect the soil, and keep your water habits the same.

4. How do you fix a failed leach field?

Minor faults can be fixed with biological methods, while serious failures need expert help or replacement.