System Repair

There are various warning signs that indicate when a leach field has failed and is no longer able to disperse the effluent from the tank at a rate equal to the flow from the house.  See Signs of Leach Field Failure under Troubleshooting.

If a new leach field has to be installed, the failed field may be able to be used again after 1-2 years of rest, by alternating the flow between the new and old fields by means of a diverter valve.

Before installing a new field a $250.00 repair permit from the health department and a soils test is required.  The soils test costs between $450.00 - $650.00, and takes from 10 to 30 days from order to written report, depending on which engineering firm you choose and how busy they are.  Please see Soils Engineers under Resources for a list of engineering firms.

If the soils have too slow a percolation rate, or if there are shallow sandstone or clay stone bedrock conditions, you may need an engineered system.  Engineered system designs can be prepared by these soils engineering firms at an additional cost of $600.00 - $750.00.

Once you have the written soil test report or design letter,  file a blue-stamped copy with the health department and pay the $250.00 repair permit fee.  The health department issues a permit in about 1 week.

Before filing for the permit, please fax or mail a copy to us.  We are happy to give you a prompt Estimate for the repair.  The cost of construction varies greatly, depending on the size and type of system required, but ranges in the neighborhood of $6,500.00 for a traditional, 3-bedroom repair, to $11,500.00 for a 5-bedroom, engineered system.  We usually need 2 – 4 weeks’ notice to schedule the work.