“Diagnosing a septic field problem” is a hard thing to do. What kind of septic problem do you have? The septic drain field is the most expensive component of the septic tank drainage system, and is the highest septic system cost during septic tank construction. The septic drainfield also has the biggest influence on the septic system life expectancy. Unfortunately, it is the hardest and costliest septic system repair if you have a septic drainfield failure. Here is a list of symptoms associated with septic tank problems or septic drainfield problems:

 • Septic system odors outside of the building especially above the septic fields or septic tank riser.

• Septic system odors outside of the building especially above the septic fields or septic tank riser.

• Slow or sluggish flushing of toilets or drains

• Septic pipe noises i.e. bubbling noises, gurgling, and or burping.

• Wet spots above the septic tank or septic drainfield from septic tank sewage rising to the surface

• Actual backups from toilets or other plumbing inside the building let your ears be your septic helper – listen for pump or high-level water alarms.

The Biomat, the natural occurring process of wastewater entering your leach field, drain field, mound, seepage bed, or a seepage pit is the formation of the biomat. The biomat
(biological mat) comprises of a black, tar-like mat that builds on the bottom and sidewalls of the drain field trench. It is composed of anaerobic (without oxygen) microorganisms (and their by-products) that attach themselves to soil and rock particles. Their food is the organic matter in the septic tank wastewater. Because the biomat has a low permeability, it retards the rate of flow out of the trench into the drain field soil.
Drainfield problems or septic tank problems will result in messy cleanups, inconvenient smells and odors, and possibly costly repairs. You don’t want to have the septic tank pump truck in the driveway when you have family or friends invited over for a big party!