A septic leach field (also called a drain field or leach bed) depends on clean stone around the distribution pipes. If backfill soil works its way down into the stone, the field loses capacity and can fail early, and that is an expensive repair.
How fabric is used
Double needle punched non woven geotextile is laid over the top of the aggregate after the pipes are set and before backfilling. It lets water and air move through while keeping soil from filtering down into the stone.
Fabric normally goes on top of the stone only. Don't wrap the bottom or sides of a leach trench unless your design calls for it, since that is where the effluent needs to soak into the soil.
Which weight to use
Most jobs use a lighter non woven like our 4 oz, which has the highest flow rate of our non wovens (140 gpm/ft²). The 6 oz is an option if the backfill is rocky or will be placed with equipment.
Install tips
- Cover the full width of the stone, with seams overlapped about 12 inches.
- Keep vehicles and equipment off the field once the fabric is down.
- Backfill gently so you don't tear the fabric.
Shop non woven geotextile. Every order ships free.
Note: Septic systems are regulated locally. Follow your installer's design and your local septic code.
