Fix a failing drain field by finding out why it failed
We rule out the tank, the pipes and your water use first, then repair or extend the field.
What your drain field repair covers
Tank, filter, pipes and distribution box checked first
Field surface and trenches assessed
Water use, leaks and roof runoff reviewed
Crushed, root-clogged or unlevel lines repaired
Line length added when the field needs more
We file the permit and write the certified report
Call us if you see any of these
- Soggy or spongy ground over the field
- Unusually green grass over the field
- A sewage smell in the yard
- Backups returning after a pump-out
- Vehicles have driven over the field
Your drain field repair, step by step
We diagnose
We check the tank, filter, pipes, distribution box and field surface.
We find why
We look at water use, roots, compacted soil and the age of the system.
You choose
We explain your repair options and send a written contract before work.
We repair
We do the work, restore the ground, and finish any DES steps with you.
What the numbers say
- 25 to 30 yrsEPA says a drain field past that age can grow a thicker biomat, which slows how fast water soaks in.
- 53 gal.One load of laundry can send up to 53 gallons into your system, so SC DES says to spread loads across the week.
- 50%On new SC sites the permit reserves repair area equal to at least half the original field.
Good to know before we start
Keep wheels off the field
Driving over it can break the tank lid and pipes and compact the soil, and SC DES suggests a barrier.
Keep roots away from the field
Tree and shrub roots can ensnarl and damage the field pipes, so keep them clear of it.
Sewer changes the answer
SC rules do not allow a failing system to be repaired or replaced where public sewer is accessible for connection.
Your drain field questions, answered
Can a failed drain field be repaired?
Sometimes, and it depends on why it failed. A crushed pipe, a bad distribution box or roots can be fixed, while a worn-out field may need more line length. We find the cause first and tell you which one you have.
What makes a drain field fail?
Too much water at once, solids escaping a tank that needs pumping, a thickening biomat, compacted soil, tree roots and broken pipes are the usual causes. Vehicles over the field make several of them worse. Which one you have decides the repair.
Does a drain field repair need SC DES approval?
SC DES may require a permit to construct and approval to operate for a repair, and the owner notifies DES first so it can decide. Adding or replacing field lines is the work most likely to need one. We tell you what applies before work starts.
Can you add more drain field line length?
Yes, when the soil and space allow it. We write a certified report on your existing field first, and SC DES decides whether the extension needs a permit. We quote the work in writing before we start.
How do I protect the field after a repair?
Keep vehicles, buildings and trees off it, and plant only grass. Send roof and sump water elsewhere and spread laundry across the week. Have the system inspected every 1 to 2 years, as SC DES advises.
Tell us what your septic system is doing
- Send the form or call now
- Serving Upstate SC