If homeowners follow a recommended pumping schedule, it can prolong the life of their leach field. The average life span of a leach field is approximately 20 years. The cost of replacing a leach field once it fails is approximately $10,000. Economically, it is a lot cheaper to have your tank maintained properly and extending the life of the field, then paying for a new leach field.

If your home has a garbage disposal it can cut the life of your septic tank and field in half. A garbage disposal puts straight food waste into your tank and the bacteria in the tank can not digest raw food.

If your home has a water softener, it can also cut the life of your septic tank and field in half. The salt that is dispensed through the water in the tank corrodes the cement of the tank, eventually weakening the tank.

Do not drive over the leach field, this may crush the pipes and prohibit the drainage of water. Do not plant bushes, trees or any plant which produces a lot of roots, this can clog up your septic pipes. This also applies to the pipe running from the house to the tank and the pipe to the leach field. Do not cover the leach field with anything other than grass. Grass helps prevent erosion and also helps with the absorption of the water.

It is suggested that any tank that is deeper than 2 feet have a well riser installed. Tanks are installed by contractors and the lid can range from being on the surface to 6 feet below the surface. Every tank is different. If the homeowner does not want to dig further than 1-2 feet every time the tank is pumped or pay JCL Septic Service to dig, we will gladly install a riser. This can either be a cement or corrugated culvert piece that goes over the round hole of the tank and comes with a lid. The risers are custom cut to fit to grade. The closer to the surface of the ground the riser is, the easier it is to reach and pump.

Call the office for prices on riser installation.