What Is A Septic Inspection

A septic inspection remains a crucial procedure to maintain the health of everyone on the property. Moreover, septic testing helps in keeping your house’s plumbing in good condition.

However, most homeowners consider septic inspection trivial compared to other home-based inspection processes. The lack of importance attached to septic inspection often stems from not knowing what is a septic inspection and the benefits of the inspection.

Why Perform a Septic System Inspection?

With regular use, solid waste accumulates at the bottom level of the tank. If the septic tank is not pumped at proper intervals, the level of internal waste in the tank gets over-saturated. And that hampers waste collection in the septic system.

Moreover, as the solid waste accumulates, it will reach the pipe network. The presence of waste in the pipes can result in major clogging. As a result, water cannot flow through the pipes into the associated drain field. When the wastewater produced by the systems of household utilities has nowhere to go, it can work its way back into the home.

Consequently, the wastewater enters into channels of sinks, bathrooms, and toilets. Notably, as the water is not clean and contains waste materials, the pipelines and interior finishing of the house become contaminated and damaged owing to the ill-functioning septic system.

Thus, the dangers of not assessing the septic system include compromised waste management and health risks to the residents. So, you need proper septic checking to ensure good health and consistent working of the house’s septic system and water lines.

When to Get the Septic System Checked?

The process of septic evaluation is common during the selling or buying of a house. But, experts recommend house transactions should not be the only time to perform a septic inspection.

As suggested by the US environmental protection agency, you should hire a certified and expert professional to inspect your household septic system every three years. By maximum limits, you should opt for septic checking every five years.

But, sadly many homeowners never consider getting the septic system checked until a problem arises. You should opt for septic examination at regular intervals to facilitate proper functioning for consistent periods.

Factors Affecting Septic Inspection

  • Size and condition of the septic tank
  • Associated elements like pipelines
  • Soil condition in the drain field
  • Mechanical and electrical components of the septic tank
  • Experience of the inspector
  • The guidelines or norms of the inspection agency you contacted

Things to Check for Septic Testing

  • The qualifications of the septic system inspector
  • Guidelines of the agency you have hired
  • The report of septic inspection
  • The validity period of septic inspection certificates

Here it’s important to mention how long the certificate obtained following inspection remains valid is crucial during buying or selling of property. For example, if you want to get your septic tank inspected and want to sell your house, you need to consider the timeline of the expiry date of the septic certificate.

For example, if you get a septic certificate valid for 2 years following the inspection and sell the house within 2 years, you need not have another inspection while selling the house. If the certificate expires before selling, you need to have another check of the septic system.

As a home buyer, you must check whether the seller provides an inspection certificate. If they don’t have any, you need to get the septic of the house you are about to buy assessed.

Finding Septic Inspection Near Me

You can get recommendations from septic inspectors from your real estate agent while buying a house. Make sure your selected one is licensed and has the proper experience.

Here it’s important to note every agency operates under its guidelines for service. So while contacting an agency for getting a septic inspector, check pricing, types of inspections they provide, and how long they take to give reports.

Types of Septic Inspections

There are two types of inspections, full and visual, based on the comprehensiveness of the checking. A quick inspection process includes visual checking, also known as level 1 septic inspections. This type of inspection takes the details and time of the last inspection into consideration to evaluate the present functioning condition of the septic system.

Here the inspector checks the pressure of water levels. The inspection also involves checking to ensure the water and drain field in good condition. The visual inspection gives quick results but fails to examine the real condition inside the septic tank.

The full inspection process takes more time but gives more effective results. In this type, the inspectors thoroughly check the internal condition of the septic tank, the pipelines’ effectiveness, and whether the water is draining properly.

They may perform a dye test as a part of a full inspection to evaluate how much water drained from household utilities enters the septic tank. Moreover, the inspection involves assessing the drain field.

However, the full inspection does not always involve a comprehensive checking of the septic system, and it can be segregated into three types based on the detailing involved.

  • Level 1 septic inspection

This includes opening the tank’s lid and conducting a limited internal assessment. Also, the inspector checks the functioning of the waste pipes.

This type of checking does not always require pumping out of the tank contents before the inspection unless instructed by state laws.

  • Level 2 septic inspection

Almost all level 2 checking necessitates prior pumping out of the tank contents. This variety involves thoroughly checking the septic tank’s internal condition and detecting the presence of cracks or structural faults.

  • Level 3 septic inspection

This is the most comprehensive, covering everything performed from level 0 to level 2 checking. In addition to that, level 3 inspection includes an assessment of soil conditions in the drain field.

Final Thoughts

A septic system inspection is a crucial process to maintain septic tanks in well-functioning conditions. Inspecting the septic system is an effective process for detecting internal issues and assessing wastewater management.

The comprehensive inspection of the septic tank on your property will depend on the type of service you are opting for. Level 1 is a visual assessment of the septic system, while level 3 is the most comprehensive among all types.

You can get inspectors based on the recommendation of your real estate agent or from nearby agencies. Remember to check the guidelines for service before hiring septic inspectors.