What To Expect During Your Septic Inspection

What’s going on underground at your place? You flush, wash dishes, do laundry and all that water and waste just magically disappears… well not really. Your septic system handles it for you as long as it’s working properly! But how do you know it’s working properly when everything is underground and you can’t see it?

We are on the way to lend a helping hand.

There are two main types of Septic Inspections

When talking about a septic inspection, it is important to know the difference between a “Routine Septic Inspection” and a “Point of Sale Septic Inspection”.

Let’s dive right in and talk about each.

Routine Septic Inspection

Proper maintenance and monitoring of the septic system is the best way to ensure it is functioning properly today and will continue working for as long as possible. Setting up a consistent schedule of Routine Septic Inspections with a qualified service provider is the easiest way to gain peace of mind that your system is being properly maintained.

A service contract with Aeration Septic includes two Routine Septic Inspections during the year.

During a Routine Septic Inspection we will:

  •  Inspect the control panel
  • Make sure switch operations are functioning properly
  • Make sure alarm system is functioning properly
  • Check voltage sent to aerator
  • Pull and maintenance the aeration unit
  • Clean the aeration unit and make sure it is free of any debris
  • Make sure the aeration unit is pulling the correct amperage
  • Make sure the aeration unit is blowing the correct amount of air into the system
  • Make sure the aeration unit is vented and able to breathe sufficiently
  • Check for excess vibration through wear of the bumpers and brackets
  • Make sure that the plug/connector is watertight
  • Make sure the foam restrictor and aspirator tip are clean and in good condition
  • Provide a sludge judge test to measure the contents of the tank and make pumping recommendation
  • Clean filtration unit of the system and make sure it is properly in place
  • Make sure all inlet and outlet tees are clear and open
  • Inspect the condition of risers and riser covers
  • Inspect UV disinfection system (when applicable)
  • Inspect outfall to make sure everything is flowing through the system properly

Upon completion, a Routine Septic Inspection Form is filled out. Here is an example of this form: Routine Maintenance Septic Tank Inspection Report

Routine Septic Inspections take approximately thirty minutes to complete and you do not need to be home. Our service professional will first knock to see if you are home and if not; proceed and complete the Routine Septic Inspection. Once this septic inspection is complete, the service professional will fill out a door hanger with the pertinent information you need to know and leave it on your door. 

If during a Routine Septic Inspection it is found that any repairs are needed; our office will follow up with a phone call to schedule a service call at your convenience to make the necessary repairs.

Point of Sale Septic Inspection

A Point of Sale Septic Inspection is a much more thorough investigation of the condition of the septic system than a Routine Septic Inspection.

During the home sale transfer process most County Health Departments require a Point Of Sale Septic Inspection. Considering the septic system is one of the most expensive components of a home to replace, it is critical that buyers make sure a reputable service provider conduct this inspection to know everything you can about the condition of the septic system.

Aeration Septic is proud to complete the most thorough Point of Sale Septic Inspection service available. Our service professional will not only take the time to complete the inspection but also answer any questions and give advice and tips about the septic system.

During a Point of Sale Septic Inspection we will:

  • Complete a visual inspection of plumbing in the home
  • Check for leaks outside the home pertaining to the septic system
  • If Aeration System, locate and inspect control panel
  • Locate septic system (utilize health department info and drawings)
  • Uncover system lids for visual inspection when possible
  • Determine content levels in tanks (review available pumping records)
  • Check condition of risers and tanks
  • Determine flow from house through main line to tank
  • Perform Hydraulic Load Test
  • Perform Dye Test
  • Check for Distribution Boxes or Sump Pump Chambers
  • If Sump Pump is in system, is it operating?
  • Leach system review for wells, lines, filter beds to determine capacity and condition
  • Inspect property for signs of Tracing Dye, including creeks, storm sewers etc.
  • If no system maps exist we will create one

Point of Sale Septic Inspections take approximately three hours to complete and we do require someone be at the property as we will need access inside the home.

Once the Point of Sale Septic Inspection is complete a Point of Sale Septic Inspection form is completed and made available to all appropriate parties involved with the transaction. We strive for the fastest turn-around time in the industry to avoid any delays in the home transfer process.

Here is a look at our Point of Sale Septic Inspection form: Point of Sale Septic Inspection Form

Septic Inspections Save Money

Septic systems are one of the most expensive components of a home to replace. A consistent schedule of Routine Septic Inspections is your best defense to lengthen the life of your system and avoid costly repairs.

A Point of Sale Septic Inspection during the home sale process is the only way to know what you’re buying underground. Considering the average cost to replace a septic system is over $15,000 you can easily see what’s at stake.

Thanks for scheduling your septic inspection with us! We look forward to saving you time, money and stress!