What is a septic system d-box? For those who have just heard this term… No, it’s not a digital box or a music box of some sort. The d-box or the distribution box is one of the components of the drain field, wherein the treated effluent goes through to be distributed equally throughout the surrounding environment. More than ne d-box can be installed and used. It connects the single line of effluent from the septic tank to a vast network of lateral lines, galleys, or seepage pits.
If a d-box is installed properly, then there could be a regulation of the actual distribution of effluent through the use of a plug with a hole for electricity. Just in case the d-box is clogged or tipped, the effluent could be diverted to only one part of the soil absorption system. This results to an overloading and a bursting out of the effluent right onto the surface. It may even result to a backup or clogging of the system. The interior of the d-box should be inspected for any possible clogging or saturation has taken place. If the drain field has been flooded before, then that part of the septic system would be malfunctioning or failing soon.
To care for the d-box or distribution box, you have to know how to find it. Here are some steps in finding the d-box:
1) First, you should check with the local health department for any permits or plans made for your property. It’s likely that the contractor inserted an outline of the installed septic system. It would not be sure thing but it is definitely a good place to start your search. Even if you’re not sure about this record map, it would help you know the location of the pipe routes, the septic tank and the drain field.
2) Go to the area of your property where you think the drain field and lateral lines were installed. Look at the grass over the drain field. They appear to grow a lot faster and are greener than the other grass in the yard. The d-box would most probably be located at the side near the house, at the center of the lateral lines.
3) You can use a metal rod to find out the exact location of the drain pipes from the house. Follow that pipe to the septic tank. Carefully dig into the ground with a metal rod. Slowly do this until you hit the pipe so you won’t damage it. The outlet pipe that you hit will lead you to the d-box, which is just a square of 16 inches.
It is important for the d-box to be located so that you may be able to have it inspected and cleaned. The d-box could also be clogged because of the condition of the effluent and the drain field itself. When it is time for your septic tank to get pumped out, ask your septic expert to inspect and clean out your d-box as well.
If you have located your d-box already, make a simplified map of it with labels and measurements so that your septic expert could have a reference the next time he goes to your home to treat your system. The more detailed the drawing, the better. Make several copies of it to make sure that you won’t lose that valuable information. Never count on your memory when it comes to determining such a complex location.
The d-box is not that deep bit it is quite small. If you want your septic expert to replace the small d-box make sure that the larger d-box would not be tilted or tipped. This way, the effluent would be distributed through all the lines of the drain field.
Regular pumping helps in making sure that the d-box is sludge-free. Talk to your septic expert to know the pumping out schedule. Also make sure to use the septic system properly. What you do to one part of the septic system affects the rest in the system including the d-box. So, now you know the answer to the question, what is a septic system d-box?