Hey everyone, I recently had my septic tank pumped for the second time this month. The technician mentioned that I need a new drain field, which he's quoted at $4800. Fortunately, the tank itself is still in good shape, but I'm looking for alternatives to replacing the drain field. I've seen a bunch of additives being marketed, but I'm skeptical about which ones are effective and which might just be scams. The tech also brought up hydrojetting the lines, but he warned it probably wouldn't extend my drain field's life significantly. I've noticed products like SepticGenie, Bio-Sol, and Bio-One get good reviews. Does anyone have experience or advice on this?
2 Answers
It’s a bit strange that the tech could quote you $4800 for the drain field without knowing more about the soil conditions. Typically, you'd need soil testing and a specific septic design before starting construction. The cost can vary widely based on those factors. Just make sure to check if soil testing is required in your area before proceeding!
If your septic system isn’t maintained properly, a lot of undesirable stuff, like hair and grease, can end up in the drain field. Hydrojetting the pipes won't fix a clogged drain field, and neither will any bacterial additives if things have backed up. Honestly, $4800 for replacement sounds pretty reasonable. Around here, that type of work would easily hit $15k, unless you tackle it as a DIY project, which still involves quite a bit of hassle like permits and inspections.