Most people do not consider their septic tank in their daily life. It’s under the hood, it’s hidden and it just does its job. Until it doesn’t.
That is the actual essence of septic tank inspection. Somebody who can read the sign will open them up, see what’s going on down there and tell you if there’s any trouble coming. The sooner you catch a problem, the more likely it is a simple fix. Do not wait until the yard is saturated with water or the shower begins to back up; otherwise, you may be in for a bill in the thousands.
But what does an inspection involve? It’s a lot more than lifting a lid and taking a peek.
First, a Quick Look at Your System
Your septic system consists of a septic tank, a drain field (some refer to this as a leach field), and a distribution box that is responsible for distributing the wastewater to the drain field. When one part has a problem, the rest feel it.
What should the inspection frequency be? EPA’s general recommendation is to change every one to three years, but local regulations may vary. A few states also mandate an inspection at the time of a home sale.
Visual vs. Full Inspection
There are two types, and it is important that they are different.
It’s a visual inspection that you’ll typically see when a home is being sold. The inspector will ask the following questions: What is the age of the system? When was it last pumped? When was it last inspected? They may turn on the faucets in the drainage system and walk around the yard to check for damp areas or odors. That’s about it.
It’s helpful. But it’s only what you’re seeing above ground and you’re not seeing the whole story.
A full inspection is everything a visual inspection and more. The tank is opened, the waste layers are measured, the flow is tested and all parts of the system are examined. This is the one to book if you truly wish to know how the system is doing.
What a Full Septic Inspection Covers, Step by Step
1. Questions About the System’s History
A good technician is one who first asks you questions. When was the last pumping of the tank? What is the number of people living in the house? Have any sluggish drains or odd odors recently? Any past repairs? After 10 years of servicing homes, commercial buildings and rural areas, we’ve found that this little chat is the starting point for our technicians at OK Eco Pump. After all, there’s a lot the homeowner will likely know. Old permits and maintenance records help too. They alert you to what is “normal” for your system so the unusual sticks out in your mind.
2. Finding and Opening the Tank
This is followed by searching for the tank and removing the lids. No map? They’ll be equipped with a probe or a locator. This is why it’s important to keep a sketch of the position of your tank on every visit (afterwards).
3. Checking the Tank Itself
The technician examines the walls of the tank and the components in the tank with the lid removed. Cracks and leaks are a big deal. A cracked tank can allow untreated wastewater to enter the soil or allow groundwater to seep into the system and cause it to become flooded.
4. Measuring the Scum and Sludge
This is the main event.
The heavy materials sink in the tank and settle as sludge. Grease and oil float up and form a layer of scum on top. The liquid in the middle is called effluent. The technician will measure the thickness of the top and bottom layers.
It is those numbers that determine when it is time to pump. General guideline: If the bottom of the scum is about 6 inches from the outlet or the top of the sludge is about 12 inches from the outlet, the tank should be emptied. Once it goes past that, solids begin to flow into the drain field. One of the most costly septic repairs is repairing a clogged drain field.
5. Looking at the Baffles and Filter
Baffles are placed at the inlet and outlet to the tank. They are supposed to prevent the scum and solids from entering the leach field. They crack. They clog. They sometimes fall off altogether. Your tank’s effluent filter is inspected and cleaned, if it’s on the tank. When a filter becomes blocked, it can cause sewerage to back up into your home.
6. A Flow or Dye Test
In this instance, the technician will pump a lot of water through your drains to observe how well the system is able to handle real use. Sometimes they use a “tracing dye” and any leak will be apparent in the yard. A healthy system moves that water through the tank and out to the field without backing up.
7. The Distribution Box and Drain Field
The wastewater is finally cleaned as it filters through the soil in the drain field. The technician walks it and checks for any areas of standing water or where water doesn’t flow evenly. Field overload or flooding can be observed using a probe. It’s also where root damage is likely to occur, with roots penetrating pipes or even the tank.
8. Pumps and Alarms
Not all systems are equipped with these. If yours does, they are tested. A dead pump or an alarm that never goes off can let a problem grow for months without you knowing.
9. The Written Report
You should receive a clear report on your walk. It should include observations of the condition of each part, the scum and sludge readings and any pumping or repairs required. At the end of any inspection, the team will discuss that inspection with you in simple terms, so you know at the end of the process whether you need pumping, cleaning, some repairs or none at all. Also, we tidy up before we go; no one wants to have an inspection that leaves the yard a mess. Submit the report on your house papers. It will be used to help you plan your next service, and if you ever sell, buyers will want to see it.
Can You Inspect a Septic Tank Yourself?
Partly. It is easy to walk the yard, and before others do, the foul odors will be noticed. That is a type of checking that is worthwhile to do between visits.
It’s another matter for a full inspection. It is important to know how to measure the layers accurately and understand the significance of the numbers, which requires training and the correct equipment. There’s a safety side as well. Never climb into a septic tank or lean over an open tank as gases within the tank can be fatal. Let the hands-on work be done by a professional.
Wrapping Up
There is a lot that is covered in a proper septic inspection at Ok Eco Pump. The tank is inspected for cracks, the sludge and scum are measured, and the baffles, filter, pumps and drain field are all examined. Book inspections on time and keep your records together. If it doesn’t sound right, it probably isn’t. Your system will last longer, and you will not be hit with the type of “surprise” no one wants in their backyard.