How to Size a Leach Field
Sizing a leach field is important when you are determining how big your septic tank system should be. A leach field, also known as septic absorption field, is where the water in the septic tank system goes to drain. Most leach fields are made of perforated pipes in a bed of gravel that absorb the water from the septic tank system. The leach field size and location vary according to the condition of the location and local building laws. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Call the local building department and ask them for the local building code related to leach field sizing and location. They will most likely give you a required setback, this is the minimum distance the leach field must be from the end of your property line.
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2
Measure double the distance of the setback the local building department gave you from the end of your property line. If your leach field must be six feet from the end of your property line then measure at least 12 feet from the end of the property line. This is important because the distance the building department gave you was the end of your leach field. This area will be your probable leach field location.
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3
Dig two holes,each six foot deep. Use your tape measure to ensure the depth of the holes. Dig the holes in the area of the probable leach field location. The holes you dig must be at least six feet apart.
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Grab two soil samples from each of the holes. Use the shovel to grab a sample from the bottom of the hole and place a sample size of about a 1/4 pound into the zipper storage bags.
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5
Contact the local building department and ask them where you must submit your soil samples for testing. Once they test your soil the building department will be able to tell you the size of the leach field required.
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Tips & Warnings
In most local counties a licensed engineer or city inspector must certify the soil samples.
References
- Photo Credit grass field image by Simon Amberly from Fotolia.com
