Septic Drain Field Restoration in Northwest Missouri
A struggling drain field does not always mean the entire septic system
needs to be replaced. Digger Dave can help determine whether the existing
system may be a candidate for cleaning, repair or drain-field restoration
before you jump straight to complete replacement.
Having Trouble With Your Drain Field?
Wet areas, slow drainage, recurring backups, odors and an overloaded
lateral field can all point to a problem with the disposal side of a
septic system.
The important thing is determining what has actually failed. Some systems
need replacement, but others may have serviceable components and a drain
field that can be cleaned, opened up or restored.
Signs Your Drain Field May Need Attention
- Wet or soggy areas over the lateral field
- Recurring septic backups
- Slow wastewater movement through the system
- Sewage odors around the disposal area
- Older lateral systems that have gradually lost performance
- Biological buildup inside lateral piping
- Compacted or poorly accepting soil around the disposal area
- A system that repeatedly needs pumping to temporarily relieve symptoms
Repair, Restore or Replace?
A septic problem does not automatically mean you need a completely new
system. The right solution depends on the condition of the tank, piping,
distribution components, lateral field and surrounding soil.
Digger Dave can help evaluate the overall problem and determine whether
the next step should be a component repair, drain-field restoration or
complete septic system replacement.
When specialized pumping, camera work, drain cleaning or other supporting
services are needed, Digger Dave can coordinate those services as part of
figuring out the best path forward.
Drain Field Restoration Options
Depending on the existing system and the cause of the failure, restoration
work may involve a combination of services intended to improve wastewater
movement and restore usable capacity in an existing lateral field.
- Locating and evaluating existing septic components
- Septic tank pumping and cleaning when needed
- Camera inspection of accessible piping
- Drain and lateral-line cleaning
- High-pressure hydro-jetting where appropriate
- Root and obstruction removal
- Drain-field soil restoration or fracturing where appropriate
- Repair of damaged piping or distribution components
- Risers, cleanouts, filters and other accessibility improvements
- Aeration or other system improvements when appropriate
Not every system is a candidate for every restoration method. The existing
system and site need to be considered before deciding what makes sense.
Why Look at Restoration Before Replacement?
Complete septic replacement can require a new disposal area, site and soil
information, permitting, design work and—in some cases—an advanced onsite
wastewater system.
If an existing drain field can reasonably be restored, repairing the
existing system may avoid unnecessary excavation and the expense of
premature replacement.
If the system is beyond practical restoration, Digger Dave also installs
replacement conventional and advanced septic systems and can help
coordinate the additional evaluation, design and engineering required for
the replacement.
Start With the Property and the Problem
Send the property address and tell us what the septic system is doing.
If you have an inspection report, septic records, photos or other
information about the existing system, include those too.
We’ll help determine whether the next step is troubleshooting, repair,
restoration or replacement.