Cost of Replacing Leach Fields

A leach field is designed to allow water from a septic system to absorb into the ground, while the septic tank holds waste and solids. In general, the leach field is the most expensive part of a septic system to replace, at an estimated several thousand dollars.

Background

A leach field is basically a drainage system of trenches, perforated plastic pipes and a gravel bed that allows liquid to drain from a septic system, while the solids are collected in the septic tank.

Problems

In some cases, solid waste sludge will build up in a septic tank to the point where, if the tank is not pumped out, the solid waste overflows into the leach field, which causes the soil to clog and the field to fail. In these cases, a replacement of the leach field may be necessary.

Costs

If a septic system repair only involves the replacement of a septic tank, as of early 2011, then the cost is between $1,500 and $2,000. However, if a new leach field needs to be built, homeowners should plan to pay between $2,000 and $3,000. The costs can exceed $10,000 if there is limited space, and the failing leach field needs to be removed, with a completely new leach field installed, according to InspectAPedia.

References

• InspectAPedia: Septic Systems - An Engineer's View.
• Drainfield.us: Is Your Leach Field Clogged, Smelly, Sluggish, or Seeping up to the surface?
• The Natural Home Building Source: Infiltrator® chamber septic system leach field installation instructions.