Because septic systems are buried it is impossible to thoroughly inspect all of it's components without digging up the treatment tank(s), the distribution system (which includes all of the piping including any dosing tank, lifting tank, or grinder tanks(s) and their components), and the drain field or absorption area. Digging out the entire system would destroy the system, destroy the landscaping, and be prohibitively expensive.

For this reason, Affordable Home & Building Inspections performs a relatively non-invasive septic evaluation that is designed to indicate of there is a problem or situation that we feel should be addressed by a septic system service provider. My inspection is based on industry standards and is the type of inspection that I would perform if I were purchasing the property myself.

Keep in mind that older systems were not built to the standards of a new system that is built today. You must be aware that older systems generally will not have the capacity to dissipate affluent into the environment as well as a new system. Septic systems do have a life span, but unlike a furnace or dishwasher it is impossible to predict if a system will last a week, a month, or a hundred years.

Systems that have worked fine for many years as well systems only a few years old can fail at any time with little or virtually no warning. Varying usage and maintenance practices can also affect the useful life span of a septic system. My inspection is based on the condition of the septic system at the time of the inspection and is not a guarantee of future performance.

Septic system inspection is not an exact science and there is no state or federal regulation governing their inspection. There are, however, various associations of septic service providers and septic inspectors that have developed guidelines based on experience, knowledge of various systems and components, their function, and how they relate to each other.

Our inspection requires that the all of the treatment tank lid(s) be exposed, accessible, and that the lid(s) to the tank(s) be easily removable without using special tools or equipment. The level of the affluent in the tank will be noted. The inlet baffle that keeps the contents of the tank from agitating and the outlet baffle that only allows liquid to leave the tank will be checked. If there is a dosing, lifting or grinder pump tank(s), the electrical and pipe connections, the pump operation, and the pump float and the alarm float will also be checked if visible.

If the absorption bed is able to be located and the condition of the soil conditions allows it, the level of standing water and the amount of dry aggregate (crushed stones) will be measured using a probing rod (maximum depth of 4 feet). If the home has been continuously occupied and the level of dry aggregate is adequate, the seepage bed can be deemed satisfactory.

If the home has not been continuously occupied; using the water supply of the home, approximately sixty gallons of clean water per bedroom will be introduced into the system (minimum of 120 gallons). During the introduction of the clean water, the liquid levels of the tank(s) will be monitored. At the completion of the clean water introduction, the absorption area will again be probed to determine the level dry aggregate.

All visible drain pipes will be examined to determine if all waste water is directed into the septic system and not to another location.

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