How to Buy Septic Field Tubing

Knowing what type of septic field tubing you need for your leach field is important. Selecting the size, type and configuration of pipe can mean the difference between your leach field working and having it fail. To be sure you have the right pipe for your septic field just follow these simple instructions.

Instructions

1. Do your calculations. You need to know how much your flow rate is and what your perc test showed in order to calculate how many feet of pipe you need for your leach field. Otherwise you will be buying too much, or much worse, too little.

2. Determine how long the lines are coming from your distribution box. These lines will be solid pipe meeting ASTM standards for septic systems.

3. Evaluate how much perforated effluent pipe you will need for you septic leach field. For instance if you are digging 3 trenches 150 feet long, you will need 450 feet of pipe. You can use corrugated or ridged pipe. Make sure it's specifically labeled for septic system use.

4. Check prices. You can compare prices online for the pipe or just visit your local home center. Pipe prices are fairly competitive and in most cases you can get a fairly good price at your home center.

5. Buy your pipe. Don't buy corrugated pipe that is rolled in a coil unless you have a way of keeping it from recoiling. Most pipe can be purchased or ordered from your local home center.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure you are purchasing pipe designed especially for septic systems. Corrugated perforated pipe comes in several types used for different applications, such as storm drainage, so be sure you are purchasing the right pipe for the job.