Leach Field and Seepage Pit Repairs

Leach Field and Seepage Pit Repairs

If you have frequent wastewater backups, especially when it rains, or a wet yard with black or brown smelly liquid above your septic system, your absorption system (typically a leach field or seepage pit) is likely failing.

The good news is that this does not always mean that you need a new leach field or seepage pit. These components can often be repaired, renovated or upgraded.

If you you are experiencing these problems, contact us. We will perform a diagnostic of your system and show you exactly what is wrong. We can usually provide a quote and perform repairs on the same day.

If repairs are not possible, we can refer you to an engineer who can design an enhancement or replacement for your absorption system.

Our technicians are very knowledgeable and have extensive experience. They have repaired hundreds of leach fields and seepage pits, and saved many customers the expense of unnecessary or premature septic system replacements.

Call us for a free consultation. We will be happy to answer any questions you have.

Why Do Leach Fields And Seepage Pits Fail?

Septic systems, like other systems in your home, have a limited lifespan. A conventional leach field typically last about 25 years before it needs replacement or major renovation.

Like anything else in the ground, septic systems are susceptible to mother nature. The natural shifting and settling of the soil in your yard and of your home and foundation can change the pitch and balance of your septic system, causing it to fail prematurely. Roots from trees and shrubs seek out the moisture and natural fertilizer in your septic system and can clog or break pipes. Wastewater includes bio-matter, which clogs leach fields, seepage pits and other absorption and evaporation systems over time.

Activity on your property, like construction or heavy vehicles can damage your septic system. Even activity on neighboring properties can change the flow of groundwater and swamp or overburden your septic system. Sometime home renovations that increase the occupancy or frequency of use of wastewater can exceed your septic system's capacity. Even new water treatment systems, that drain into your septic, can cause problems.

Often times, septic systems fail prematurely because of neglect. Failure to pump your septic tank regularly can allow solids and greases to enter your leach field. Pouring or flushing bleaches, paints and other chemicals and inorganic waste down the drain can kill the organisms that decompose and breakdown bio-matter in your septic tank. This can result in clogged pipes, seepage pits and leach field laterals.

How do you repair leach fields and seepage pits?

If your absorption system is losing efficiency or is impaired due to the accumulation of bio-matter, the first step, and least intrusive way of addressing it, is with Hydro-jetting and bio-remediation. First we clean the pipes and components with high-pressure water, then, we introduce natural compounds and enzymes that breakdown the bio-mater over a period of time.

If that is not sufficient to restore normal absorption, a restoning of the pit or replacement of the leach field laterals can be performed. This is often necessary if there is significant root intrusion into your system. This process requires the use of excavation equipment.

Typically, when replacing laterals we use more efficient technologies, like Infiltrators, if possible, to give your leach field better absorption and a longer lifespan. Sometimes, if there is room for expansion, we can also add laterals to your system.

Often times, parts of your leach filed have settled or collapsed, and most of the flow is going to a small area, which becomes saturated and wet on the surface. In these situations, we can reset or replace compromised pipes or distribution boxes, or use speed levelers to rebalance the flow.

In many cases, leach fields that are less than 30 years old can be repaired and seepage pits, even older than that, can be excavated and restoned. As long as they are structurally sound.

We have repaired hundreds of absorption systems and we have extensive experience in this area. Call us to schedule a diagnostic of your system.

What Determines If My Absorption System Needs To Be Replaced?

If the materials that comprise an absorption system have deteriorated and collapsed, or if the stone and soil surrounding the system is completely saturated with bio-matter, the system must be re-engineered and replaced.

Septic Solutions can refer you to an engineer who can design a replacement septic system. We can work with any engineer to perform soil/percolation tests, and we can provide a quote to build most types of systems they design.

Contact us if you need assistance replacing your septic system. We have replaced thousands of septic systems in over 25 years in the Hudson Valley.