A couple of questions here.

1) How long does a leach field last in an average septic system? Does it
have to be replaced every so often even if it was used properly, or is
improper use the only reason the leach field goes bad?

2) In an older septic system, how much impact force can the leach field
take before damaging it? I have to fell a totally rotten tree and it will
unfortunately land right on the field. I can of course minimize the blow by
chunking the tree up rather than just chainsawing it down in one big cut.
Even still do I have to treat the leach field delicately or can it tolerate
moderate blows?

From experience, I lived with a well and a septic most of my life. My
parents house (of which I spent 20 years) had a leach field and septic that
lasted the entire time they had (from 80-02) and is still without problem.
My parents visited the ole homestead a couple of months ago and the owners
didn't say anything about it. But I can remember having the tank pumped at
least three times, with third being unnecessary, we had a back up and
thought the tank was full, turned out only to be a clog between the house
and the tank. My dad did use RID regularly and had rles about what was to go
into the tank. My mom didn't use alot of bleach, cause dad said it would
kill the bacteria. I drove my Toyota across the leach field, Hey I didn't
know! But when pop got home and found my truck in the back of the house he
knew there were only two ways of getting there. I sure has hell didn't want
to get my truck dirty going through the access road though. Driving the
truck over it never caused any problems to the field but you can bet I never
did that again. The truck did get dirty on the way out though. I'm not sure
what problem a severe impact of a tree falling on it would pose, but I would
be safe and top the tree trying to lose as much weight as possible.

Searcher

Eigenvector wrote:
A couple of questions here.

1) How long does a leach field last in an average septic system? Does it
have to be replaced every so often even if it was used properly, or is
improper use the only reason the leach field goes bad?

2) In an older septic system, how much impact force can the leach field
take before damaging it? I have to fell a totally rotten tree and it will
unfortunately land right on the field. I can of course minimize the blow by
chunking the tree up rather than just chainsawing it down in one big cut.
Even still do I have to treat the leach field delicately or can it tolerate
moderate blows?

a lot depends on the type of soil. if you have good well drained sand,
it will last longer than if your soil is marginally permeable. it is
critical to get your tank pumped regularily--every three to five years.
otherwise, solids can be flushed into your drainfield and will plug up
the system.

how much impact a drainfield can take depends on what kind of system it
is and how deep the drain tile or whatever are buried. if your pipes
are several feet below the surface, i think they could take quite an
impact. but i suppose you could get unlucky and spear a branch into
the ground. but you could dig up a pipe and repair it i suppose.

In article , Eigenvector says...

A couple of questions here.

1) How long does a leach field last in an average septic system? Does it
have to be replaced every so often even if it was used properly, or is
improper use the only reason the leach field goes bad?

2) In an older septic system, how much impact force can the leach field
take before damaging it? I have to fell a totally rotten tree and it will
unfortunately land right on the field. I can of course minimize the blow by
chunking the tree up rather than just chainsawing it down in one big cut.
Even still do I have to treat the leach field delicately or can it tolerate
moderate blows?



IF you're concerned, get pros to take down the tree - they can pull it a
different direction.

Banty


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