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Whether you are installing a new system for your property or looking to repair an existing system,
Keith McDonald Plumbing
has you covered.
Gravel vs. Infiltrator
Gravel drain fields and infiltrator drain fields are both methods used for dispersing wastewater in gravity flow septic systems, but they differ significantly in their construction, efficiency, and environmental impact.
Gravel Drain Field:
This traditional method involves laying perforated pipes in trenches filled with gravel. The wastewater is distributed through the pipes and filters through the gravel before seeping into the
soil. While effective, gravel drain fields require significant excavation, large amounts of gravel, and can be prone to clogging over time. The installation process can be labor-intensive and often requires more space.
Infiltrator Drain Field:
The infiltrator drain field is a modern alternative designed to enhance the efficiency of wastewater treatment while reducing environmental impact. Infiltrator systems use lightweight, open-bottom chambers that provide a large surface area for wastewater infiltration. These chambers eliminate the need for gravel, making installation quicker, easier, and less disruptive to the surrounding environment. Infiltrator systems are also known for their durability and ability to handle variable loads more effectively than gravel systems. Additionally, they often require less space, making them ideal for areas where land is limited.
The infiltrator drain field offers several advantages over traditional gravel systems. It provides superior performance, requires less maintenance, and is easier to install. The environmental benefits, including less material usage and reduced site disruption, make the infiltrator drain field a more sustainable and cost-effective choice for modern septic systems.
Sewage Pumps
​​​A sewage grinder pump is a waste management device that breaks down and pumps sewage from a building to the municipal sewer system or a private sewage system. Cutter blades to pulverize waste solids so they can easily travel through pipes and avoid clogging. Grinder pumps are often used when a building's plumbing is lower than the main sewer, or when there isn't enough slope for gravity to carry the sewage.
Grinder pumps are usually located in a low point in the house or yard, where wastewater from the building drains. When the wastewater level in the basin reaches a certain point, the pump automatically turns on, grinds the waste, and pumps it out through a discharge line to the sewer system. The pump typically runs for a couple of minutes and then turns off when the tank is empty.
Grinder pumps are electricity-powered and contain a tank, pump, level controls, control panel, piping, valves, and electrical components. They are more powerful than sewage pumps, with horsepower starting at 1 hp, and usually have a discharge line and pump connection of 2 in or less. This allows them to be used for longer distances, pressurized sewer mains, and pumping to higher elevations.
Why Do Systems Fail?
Poor Maintenance:
Systems that are not pumped on a regular basis can build up an excess of sludge within the septic tank that can then pass into the absorption field forming clogs that can not be removed. Flushing household chemicals, oils and other substances can also damage the system.
Overload:
Systems are designed based on the number of bedrooms in a home at the time of installation. If the household grows larger than its initial occupancy or is overused for any number of reasons, the system may not be able to handle the increased water load. Irrigation systems can also add excess water into the system.
Improper Design:
Septic fields that are improperly located or graded improperly can cause wastewater to be unevenly distributed.
Physical Damage:
Driving, paving, or building on top of a septic system can damage it. Heavy equipment can compact the soil preventing it from absorbing at the required rate and sometimes, not at all. Building on top of a system can prevent future access for maintenance and repairs.
Soil Conditions:
Soil around the drain field may be too wet, spongy, or saturated with storm water or rising water levels
in nearby lakes, rivers and ponds. In warmer months or during dry periods, the soil above the
absorption field trenches may not have enough water-holding capacity, causing the grass to turn brown.
Roots:
Roots from trees and shrubbery adjacent to or even on top of a septic tank and or drain field will
eventually find their way into the system. While roots can be removed from inside of the septic tank in
most cases, they can not be removed from the drain field.
Signs of a Malfunctioning Septic Tank System
Slow drains or sewage backing up into the house:
The cause could be a blockage in the plumbing line to the septic tank, blockage to inlet and outlet tees within the septic tank or a clogged filter if present. If the problem only occurs during rainy weather, the problem could be related to surface water drainage or water standing on top of the absorption field area. If the septic tank system is old, the absorption line may be clogged. If the system has a pump, pump failure could be the cause.
Surfacing of septic tank effluent on the ground surface:
The cause may be related to a poor soil absorption rate, soil clogging in the absorption line,
or water usage. If the problem is noticeable only after rainy weather, the problem could be
related to surface water drainage or a high seasonal groundwater table.
Smell of sewage odor:
The cause of sewage odors may be natural gases that occur in the septic tank that are vented
from the plumbing system through the roof of the house. Odors may be noticeable in the area of
the vent pipe. Odors near the septic tank could indicate a cracked inlet or outlet plumbing pipe. Odors in the absorption field area could indicate a surfacing of wastewater effluent.
Any repair work performed on an on site sewage management system requires a repair permit from the county health department. The county environmental health specialist can assist homeowners with an evaluation of the system to determine repair options. A certified septic tank contractor should perform any repair work.
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