Oh oh. Need septic field advice...

[NM_Shooter]

Well, it appears that my leach field is shot.  Crapped out, so to speak.

I'm getting quotes next week on having a new field built.  My system is 12 years old, so in order to bring it up to code, I am going to also need an effluent filter, and I am going to have them put in a diverter valve so that I can rest the old field and maybe get some use out of it in a year.  I'm also going to install a lint trap for my washing machine.  Sounds as though a lot of septic fields get ruined from lint and from sink waste.

Anyway, I live on sand and some clay mixed in.  The soil is in layers... first sand, then a clay layer, then a sand / clay below that.  I've been advised away from infiltrators due to the high sand level of my soil. 

So I thought that basically left a gravel field... but I find out that there is a new system called "EZFlow".  It's cheaper to install, but I wonder about the integrity of the system, especially in a sandy environment.

Anybody have any opinion?

What should I be asking the contractors who come out to bid? 

What sort of warranty should I expect?

Thanks...

Frank

[John Raabe]

Septic system design and installation is both mysterious and subject to very local issues.

Here is the best book I've ever come across on the subject: http://countryplans.com/smf/index.php?topic=3237.0 (it is actually an entertaining read!)

This is a topic worth doing a bit of study on. A properly done system should last more than 12 years unless the tank was never pumped. And sandy soil should give you a pretty good perc rate. Find out what went wrong first so you don't duplicate the problem.

We are in sandy soil with a conventional tank and gravity drainfield - narry a single problem for over 25 years.

[Don_P]

Ours has begun "breaking out" after about 20 years. I'm pretty sure the field is still ok I suspect the distribution box has settled and is feeding one line only. I don't expect to find gold on this dig 

[glenn kangiser]

Our rental had a good field but was completely plugged by tree roots from the start of it growing back into the D box.  I did a new standard field.

[cbc58]

i've seen systems advertised that say you can repair a leach field so you don't have to replace it by cleaning out the built up biomass.  came accross them when searching for alternative septic systems....... don't know if they work and i think they were in the $1,200-$1,500 range. 

[pagan]

Thanks for the posts, this convinces me even more that I made the correct decision by forgoing a septic system and employing a simple composting toilet. 

[Don_P]

I helped switch out a composter last year for a client, the chemicals, fan draw, smell and finally a blown rotator cuff from cranking at an odd angle spelled its demise. We looked into other systems and went conventional. Like most things there are choices but rarely are they clear cut.

[harry51]

This may be a silly question, but are you positive there is no excess water going into the system from leaky faucets, running toilets, etc.?

I have a system (very old) in sandy soil that has too many inputs by any reasonable standard, but it works as long as everything is shipshape. When it failed to work, I found out it was being overloaded by several toilets with the water level high enough to run into the overflow tube, a couple more with slight leaks at the flapper valve (and yes, the red ones really are better!), and a shower faucet leaking. After fixing the leaks and having the tanks pumped, the system recovered and is still working. The septic guy told me that leach fields depend on a few hours daily of relatively input to purge themselves, and when you have 24/7 input, they just eventually fall behind and fail. Apparently it caught up while the tanks were filling again. FWIW, GL