Why Is My Septic Drain Field Wet?

As a kid, puddles on the lawn made for a fun day of splashing. As an adult with a septic tank, a wet spot in the yard could spell major trouble.

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A wet septic tank drain field often means you have a problem somewhere in the system. Some of those issues are relatively minor, while others are signs of drain field failure.

Where Is My Drain Field?

Knowing the location of your drain field helps you protect it and prevent potential problems. For example, you shouldn't drive over it, build a driveway on it or plant anything near the leach field.

It might not be obvious at first glance where the leach field is located if you're unfamiliar with its location. Checking the design plans if they're available could give you an idea of where it is. You can also hire a septic company to locate the tank and drain field for you.

To get an approximate idea of where it is yourself, figure out where your tank is first. Find where the drain lines leave your house to understand the general vicinity of the tank. It usually sits 10 to 25 feet away and won't be closer than 5 feet. You might also find access covers over your tank.

The outlet pipe on the septic tank is at the end away from your house. The leach field is beyond the tank, so you can get a general idea of where it is from there. The area might be slightly depressed or have a different color of grass due to the effluent that filters through the ground in that area.

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Wet Spots on the Ground? Here's What Could Be Wrong With Your Drain Field

If you can easily spot the drain field because it's wet, you could have a problem with your septic system. Figuring out the cause of a wet septic drain field is essential. If you ignore the problem, it could worsen and cause a major malfunction in your waste removal system. The following reasons could be to blame.

Excess Water

Increased water usage, excessive rain and a high water table can all cause a wet septic drain field due to the extra water. You can't control heavy rain or the water table in your area. If it's an ongoing issue, work with a septic tank company to look for alternatives. They might suggest a different type of drainage system or a raised drain field.

Excessive water usage can be prevented. Talk to everyone in the family about water usage to avoid wasting it. If you have a plumbing leak that causes water to flow continuously, call a plumber to repair it quickly.

Clogs

Drain fields become clogged for various reasons. If your tank is too full or isn't functioning properly, waste can enter the drain field and clog the lines. This might happen if you don't have enough good bacteria in the tank to break down the waste. Roots from nearby trees and shrubs are another possible cause of clogs.

Clogs often require expensive professional repairs. If the drain field or the septic tank becomes damaged, your septic tank service provider might also need to replace it. Preventing clogs by keeping your tank well-maintained prevents this situation.

Full Septic Tank

If your septic tank gets too full, the waste needs somewhere to go. It might back up into your home or push through into the drain field, where it can block the lines and cause the area to fail.

Have your tank pumped at regular intervals based on the tank size and your usage. The average time is every three to five years. If you wait too long and have backups or leach field clogs, you'll need to hire a professional to repair the damage.

Leach Field Damage

To function properly, leach fields need to be free of structures, trees and other items that could cause damage. Driving over the area is also not safe. If this happens, it compacts the soil, making it difficult for the effluent to filter through it, potentially causing wetness on the surface. Another possible effect of driving over the area is damaging the leach field components that channel the effluent.

If this is the cause, contact a septic tank professional to assess the damage. Soil aeration helps in some cases, but it might be necessary to replace the soil.

Drain Field Failure

According to Clear Drain Cleaning, the most common cause of septic drain field failure is overloading. When you use more water than your septic system is designed to handle, flooding can cause your drain field to fail.

If there's bacteria die-off in your septic system, this can also cause failure. Avoid dumping chemicals, paint, antibacterial cleaners and other hazardous materials down your drains. These can disrupt the little ecosystem of bacteria that lives in your septic system.

You'll know a septic leach field failure when you smell it. In addition to a wet drain field, you may also experience sewer odors.