When do I need a formal Septic System Inspection?
If you are buying or selling a home, one of the major disclosures is that all utilities are in good working condition. In order for that to truly be the case, your on-site septic treatment system has to be working properly. How can you prove that it is in fact working properly, especially if you neglected pumping it on a regular basis? The answer is that you need to have a formal inspection of the entire system.
What is a Formal Septic Inspection?
A formal septic inspection is conducted by a licensed septic installation company that is bonded and insured. When a licensed septic installer inspects your septic tank and drain field, they will then be able to produce a formal written report about the condition of your system. Conditions of the the septic tank walls and lid(s), and the drain field are inspected.
What will the Report show?
The written report will indicate if there are any signs of cracking in the walls of septic tank and also indicate if the drain field is leaching properly. It will also note any abnormal conditions such as surface water above the drain field, which is typically an indicator of possible system failure.
The system works fine, so why have it formally inspected by a 3rd nuetral party?
Sellers may wish to prove that their septic systems are in fact working properly prior to the sale of their property. Your Realtor or local county government may require a formal inspection to limit the potential of a septic system non-disclosure claim arising after the property has closed. A bank may also be interested in such an inspection prior to funding a loan. Finally, buyers may demand to know if the system is working properly and may want formal proof in writing from a licensed inspector prior to signing an offer to buy a property.
A formal septic system inspection by a licensed septic installation company gives everyone the peace of mind that this important utility will perform as expected.
How can you test a drain field that is under ground?
Drain fields have leach pipes that are buried in a layer of drain stone and are covered by a layer of top soil. Test holes are dug in the drain field to check for trouble indicators such as heavy black ooze and grease. While some black sewage discoloration is to be expected from gray water, a system must not be so saturated with grease that it no longer allows for proper percolation of gray water down through the leach field. We have various methods to we use to determine proper drainage is occurring and then we certify in writing that it is working properly.
How can you possibly see down into a septic tank to inspect it?
You have to pump a septic tank in order to inspect it even if you just recently had it serviced.
The reason that a tank must be pumped to conduct a formal septic inspection is that you cannot inspect the walls of the tank and outlet baffle to the drain field if the tank if full. The outlet baffle is submerged below the scum layer to help minimize how much grease is pushed out into the drain field. You simply cannot look below the grease and scum layer to see if everything is ok unless you pump the contents of the septic tank first and then hose everything down to inspect it. When waste decomposes it turns into a black substance that is as dark as crude oil or black ink. If you can imagine trying to peer down into a 4 to 5 foot deep tank that is 6 to 8 feet long, it is simply not possible without having the tank empty. So, pumping the tank is mandatory.
If you do not wish to have a formal inspection but just want a receipt to to show that your tank was pumped, we can provide you with a receipt stating that we did not observe any obvious cracks in the tank at time of service. Such an informal inspection is not considered legal proof that your tank has no problems, but may be sufficient for some parties. An informal inspection does not cover the drain field. It simply indicates that the septic tank has no visible signs of damage. Some buyers may accept this form of inspection, but in doing so, they are placing themselves at risk that the drain field may in fact be failing and have no apparent signs at the surface. A formal inspection is the only way to know for sure that the soil conditions of the drain field are not saturated with grease.
What does is cost to have a Formal Written Septic Inspection?
The cost of a formal inspection is the cost of pumping your septic tank, which is based on total gallons pumped, plus the cost of of the inspection. For an exact quote please call us at (517) 764-1650 as prices vary based on driving distances and other factors such as whether you have a 1000 gallon or 1500 gallon septic tank.
What parts of the Septic Systems actually get included on the inspection report?
The report will indicate the condition of the following parts:
Tank Lid and Opening
Septic Tank Condition
Baffle/Outlet to Drain Field
Drainage characteristics of the drain field at the point where a test hole was dug in the field itself. Generally, we dig one hole and can tell how well the system was or was not maintained based on the soil conditions which we find in the observation hole. If we see signs of trouble, we may possibly dig a 2nd observation hole, but as a rule, one hole is sufficient as unwanted grease in a system tends to disperse throughout the entire system when a treatment system is not serviced on a regular basis.
What do you need from us in order to come out and do the inspection?
Owners should be present when their septic tank is pumped so that they can know what to expect and see the process first hand. We have very accurate meters on board the pumper trucks so that you can see the exact number of gallons that were pumped from your system.
If your pumping gallons exceed your tank capacity, it is a sign that your drain field is not draining properly. A failing drain field will often back flow into the septic tank instead of draining into the ground. In such a case, it is possible to pump 1100 or 1200 gallons from a tank that has a 1000 gallon capacity. We have seen 1500 gallon tanks with final totals approaching 1800 gallons when backflow drain field conditions exist.
As with any septic tank pumping, you can save money by digging the dirt off the lid of your septic tank. Your septic tank typically has one lid if it is 1000 gallon tank and 2 lids if it is 1500 gallon tank. Lids are typically 15 feet (5 big steps) from your home and one shovel length apart from one another.
We ask owners to give us a copy of all the septic system permits available when we arrive. Each county Health Department has a list of any and all septic permits on file and will generally fax or email to a property owner or licensed inspector upon request. In Jackson County, the Health Department phone number is (517) 788-4433. If you do not have a fax you can have the permits faxed or emailed to Shelars at (517)-764-0019. Our email is ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) The address of the property is typically on each permit, so when you call us to verify it arrived, please do so on the same day you requested the fax from the Health Department. Our phone number is (517) 764-1650. For a list of other county health departments, please see our county links on our web site under (Septic Pumping).
What do lids on my septic tank predict about the gallons contained in the tank?
If your septic tank has 2 lids it is generally a 1500 gallon tank. One lid tank systems generally have a 1000 gallon capacity. Building codes in Jackson County changed in 1990 and now require 1500 gallon septic tanks on new systems. 1500 gallon tanks normally have two lids. So if you know that your system was installed after 1990, then you know that you have a 1500 gallon tank and you know that you have two lids that need to be uncovered. In a perfect world, the depth of those lids might only be down 6” or 12” deep. But, many systems are down two or three feet deep. What accounts for the variation? The answer is the typography of lawn and how the outpoint from the home matches up up with that typography determines the depth at which the tank will be to allow gravity to work.
New risers solve the this dilemma in that they can be cut to any length. You simply install a riser that goes from the top of the septic tank to about 3” below the surface and then install a new 3” cement or plastic lid and you never have to dig it up again.
What about above ground systems can you inspect them as well?
Yes, we do full inspections on above ground systems. An above ground system typically has a pumping chamber. The chamber and the septic tank have to be pumped in order to inspect the submerged pump and the septic tank. There is no additional charge for inspection on such a system, but the pumping gallons may be slightly higher.
How many days in advance should I give you to set up an appointment?
Our work load varies, some weeks we can schedule something with about 2-day notice and some weeks may take us longer. It is always best to call us a week ahead to be sure the inspection and written report are finished in a time frame that meets your schedule. It is not advisable to wait till 2-days before closing and expect to get your report finished.
My system has one or more drywells instead of drain field do you inspect those as well?
If you uncover the single lid to each of your drywell(s) we will pump and inspect them as well on a formal or informal basis that meets with your service goals. Many people are not even aware their systems include a drywell. That is precisely why it is good idea to call the County Health Department and have all your septic system permits and maps faxed or email to yourself or to our office to ensure that all elements are accounted for and properly inspected.
Please do call us at (517) 764-1650 to get an exact quote for pumping and inspecting your septic system.
For additional information about Risers and Lids and or County Health Departments, view (Septic Products) and or (Septic Pumping) menu items on our website: (Shelars.com)