Septic Inspections

There has been an increasing number of requests for Septic Inspections, either with the purchase, sale, or refinancing of a home. There has also been an increasing number of questions like: What is a Septic Inspection? How is it done? Who do I call?. We hope this guide will answer a few of the questions.

Most licensed septic pumpers can do a Septic Inspection, unless the Septic Inspection is requested for a government loan. With a government loan (ie: Cal-Vet, VA, FHA), the County Health Department or a licensed sanitarian is also needed to sign off Septic Inspections. So depending on who is requiring the inspection, it may vary on who to actually call for your Septic Inspection. So check with your loan officer or bank as to whether a sanitarian is needed or not.

What is required in a Septic Inspection?

The following information will be included in a Septic Inspection.
* Owners Name
* Owners Address
* Address of the Septic Tank
* Assessors Parcel Number
* Septic Tank Capacity
* Date and Quantity of Pumping (Both compartments)
* If Tank has not been Pumped Within Three Years, it Must be Pumped as Part of the Inspection
* Condition and Construction Material of the Septic and Lids/Cover
* Condition of the Inlet & Outlet T
* Condition and Construction Material of the Baffle and Baffle Vent Space
* List any Repairs Performed to any Part of the Sewage System
* List any Abnormalities Observed in or Around the Septic System (Septic Tank Overfull, Missing Structural Items, Wet Spots, Etc.)

For the inspection itself, what do you do and why?

- Once the tank is located and the lids are uncovered, we note what the septic tank and lids are constructed of to determine the quality and durability of the tank and lids.

- We check the water level in the tank to determine possible leach field problems. This would be indicated by a water level higher than the outlet pipe or evidence of seepage into the soil through the lids of the tank. I f the water level is low in the septic then it could be evidence of a seam leaking septage out of the tank.

- We then check around the leach field area if known to determine possible problems indicated by seepage in the soil, odor, or any other problem that could be attributed to the leach field.

- We then check the condition of the inlet and outlet Tees to determine possible problem such as missing, broken, a stoppage, roots or anything else that could cause a potential problem.

- We then pump out both compartments of the septic tank. Then measure the entire septic to determine tank size and gallons pumped.

- We wash the tank out (if water is available), checking for any structural problems, cracks, roots, ect.

- We will then check the condition of the baffle and what it is made of.

- We then have the owner or tenant flush the toilet to make sure the main septic line is free-flowing between the house and the septic tank (if there is anyone home).

- We will then note any repairs that are needed to bring the system up to current county codes.

- We make any recommendations and/or comments to insure that the system will be in good working order.

- If there are any problems with the system we then contact the necessary parties to show or tell them of these problems.

- If there arent any problems and after all of these items are noted, we will then cover the tank back up.