What is a Septic Tank Drain Field?

When you have a septic tank on your property you will also need to have a septic tank drain field. It works to drain off any liquid that is released from your septic tank.

One of the first things to consider when you are creating a septic tank drain field is any requirements by your local government. Because a septic tank drain field involves waste materials there may be certain zoning laws that you need to follow.

The size of your septic tank drain field is determined by the size of not only your septic tank but your home as well. You cannot simply construct a drain field to the specifications that you wish.

There are other considerations including where the septic tank drain field is built. It cannot be built near any open water such as a river or a lake because of the possibility of seepage from the soil into the water. This would result in contamination of the water source which could lead to many problems including health concerns.

One of the first steps in constructing a septic tank field is digging the trenches. This is normally done by a backhoe and is usually performed at the same time that the hole is dug for the septic tank. The trenches are dug to a specified depth and width to allow for the pipes that will be used for drainage.

Once the pipes have been placed into the trenches, gravel is normally placed over the pipe to fill in the trench. It is believed that gravel is a better choice than soil as gravel works well in situations where there is a high level of moisture. Once the gravel is in place, the soil is put on top and this is when grass may be planted again or sod placed down.

Although you can’t build your own drain field, it is an important part of your septic system. Consult with a professional when it comes time to undertake this important task.