Our team at Clark Septic has extensive experience in the septic industry. Over the years, our technicians have repaired and installed countless septic systems, and you can count on us to deliver the high-quality results you deserve.
In this article, we will focus on the drain field, providing a brief overview of how the drain field installation process works so you know what to expect.
- Digging Trenches – The drain field is a network of pipes and filters used to treat liquid effluent before letting it gradually seep into the ground. The first step in drain field installation, therefore, is to dig trenches where the pipes will be installed later in the process. Drain field trenches can be anywhere from 18 to 36” deep, depending on the project—they need to be deep enough to fit the pipes themselves, two layers of gravel, a layer of barrier fabric, and 6” of soil on top.
- Installing Gravel – Next, our team will partially fill the trenches with a base layer of gravel. The gravel helps prevent the pipes from shifting over time, and it helps control the flow of liquid through the drain field.
- Installing Pipes – Once the bottom layer of gravel is installed, our team will place a layer of barrier fabric and install the pipes. We’ll also connect the pipe network to the septic tank at this point.
- Installing More Gravel – The next step in drain field installation is to add more gravel over the top of the pipes. This layer of gravel helps protect the pipes from shifting soil above, distributing forces from the surface so they don’t damage the pipes. Note that this protection only goes so far, so you should never park your car above your drain field or place other heavy objects there.
- Filling In – To complete the drain field installation process, our team will cover the whole network with a thick layer of soil—at least 6” thick. Then, we’ll cover the area in grass seed to ensure the lawn grows back.