Symptoms of drain field trouble
- Soggy ground or standing water over the field
- Odor near the tank or field
- Lush green stripes over the field
- Slow drains that return after pumping
- Backups after rain
Repairs that often fix it
- Crushed or root-clogged pipe
- A clogged filter
- A failed baffle
- A failed pump or compressor
- A distribution box problem
Field options can include resting or rotating the field, a lateral line repair, or expansion – subject to soil, lot size, and permitting.
Repair vs. replace: the honest version
Some problems are a single failed part. Others mean the field itself is worn out. A pro should explain what was found, what a repair can and cannot fix, and what a replacement would involve – including the typical $10,000–$25,000 installed range for a new residential system – before you approve work. If the field has failed, see installation. If sewage is backing up now, see emergency backup.