Driving tractor over Leech field

Dargo · Nov 4, 2004

Wow, really!? I flush yeast down the toilet every month or so. My grandparents have honestly not had their tank pumped in well over 40 years and they have no problems. Seriously.

I have 5 kids (seven of us in the house) too. My pool house and barn are on a separate system. You guys really think it should be pumped? I just figured since my grandparents have never had theirs pumped, and I have no problems (during dry summers, I can clearly see the green grass stripes where the lines are) that they didn't need to be pumped unless there was a problem. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Bob_Skurka · Nov 4, 2004

I had mine pumped at 8.5 years, the guy told me that I was lucky I didn't wait much longer because it would have caused damage. Everyone has a different situation, but the recommendations seem to be about every 5 years as a rule of thumb.

My VP dug a brand new field last year, which is what inspired me to have my tank pumped early this summer. My cost was a couple hundred $$$, his was thousands. It seems like cheap insurance to have it done.

Jibber · Nov 4, 2004

I have mine pumped every three years.. better safe than sorry. But, everything goes into the tank.. wash water.. bath water.. that's the stuff that hurts the bacteria levels.. especially bleach.

If you're in an area where you can divert your wash water.. you could probably go quite a few years without pumping the tank.. but I think more than 8 would be taking a big chance.

stephan · Nov 5, 2004

Don't drive over your leech field, period. Don't run animals (especially horses) on it, don't grow trees too near it. The list goes on. Mow it but with a push mower and don't feed the grass to animals. That's the results of the research that I've done over the last couple of years trying to resolve a smelly septic. Turns out to have been a perished o-ring on the toilet itself but I did learn about looking after a septic tank.

The issue is compaction and while I'm no biologist, the ground around the leech field where the natural bugs in the soil break-down the waste water need soil that is not compacted. I don't know how this works exactly, I guess the theory is that the waste water spreads over a larger area when the soil is "loose". While I understand the reasoning about the crushed rock and the poly pipe if the waste cannot spread out in the soil the process of breaking down is hampered.

Judging by the comments already perhaps the soil compaction does not cause visable problems but just perhaps the biological processes are not occuring and the waste is building up?

MadReferee · Nov 6, 2004

( Don't drive over your leech field, period. )

Quite a harsh statement, don't you think. We have seen many situations where TBN members have proven your statement to be false.

Alot depends on the design and construction of your leech field. Different states and even areas within each state, have different design minimums that will effect how a field performs. Soil conditions play into that too.

The best answer to the original poster's question is that it depends on many factors and that he should consult with the designer and installer of his particular system to get that answer.

stephan · Nov 6, 2004

Yes it is harsh and I knew when I wrote it there would be discussion, and discussion is good. Yes, I also agree there have been loads of threads here on TBN discussing this very topic and again loads of stories of driving over leech fields with everything and anything. My point on this is a simple one, if I could provide evidence from local authorities that driving over the leech fields is bad is their counter evident it is good or even does not affect the effectiveness of the field?

A leech field is not just a place to spread a lot of water like a rubble drain is to store stormwater it is in effect a sewerage works. Yes the "cleaner" water from the septic is dispersed there but the bad bacteria's (I think) that remain in the water are broken down there by sun, soil and other things living in the soil (worms and the like).

The real test is in the effectiveness of the field and the breaking down of the dangerous bugs that live in the waste. How do you test that? Well I can't and I'm not going to pay someone to do it either but the kids are encouraged to play elsewhere, no animals or vehicles traverse mine and it is not soggy or smelly. I have also diverted the washing machine water to reduce stress on the field.

I have no evidence this contributes to us (my family) not getting sick, colds and the like, often but it makes me feel better that I'm making an effort given that, at the end of the day, the field is such a small part of our property.

Finally, I agreed that the answer to the poster original question is to consult those who would know but can I suggest it is the designer and the administrator (local authority) not the installer. Comments in these threads indicate that perhaps the installers are not all that knowledgable whereas the duly qualified (perhaps more educated) persons would have a different opinion. I don't want to start an argument about qualifications versus experience here but I am unsure about the qualification required to install a leech field.

ericinmich · Nov 8, 2004

I learned from my father that having it pumped out every 4 years is easy to remember if you associate it with the presidential elections /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif ... That's the schedule that I'm on.

Eric
TBD tractor next spring

Ursushorribilus · Nov 8, 2004

( I learned from my father that having it pumped out every 4 years is easy to remember if you associate it with the presidential elections /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif ... That's the schedule that I'm on.

Eric
TBD tractor next spring )

Now that's funny, and oh so appropriate, polititians and sewerage do have alot in common /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

ByronBob · Nov 9, 2004

Dargo it's the solids which cause the problem. The bacteria does do a great job keeping things in perspective but the tank eventually will build up and if it starts flowing into your field that's when the stuff hits the fan.

If you pump the tank tell us how it goes.