In the Southern and Northeastern parts of the US, approximately one out of five homes have a septic system. If you’re selling, buying, or simply refinancing a home with a septic, you need to know how to get septic to pass inspection.
This article guides you through the basics of septic inspection, including how to prepare for an inspection, how to pass an inspection, and how much the process usually costs.
Is a Septic Inspection Really Necessary?
In some cases, preparing for a septic system inspection is an arduous task. It often takes weeks, if not months, of preparation, and is usually a costly affair. Due to this, many homeowners delay or skip the recommended biennial or triennial septic inspection.
This begs the question: is a septic inspection really necessary?
Like every system in the world, septic systems have an operational lifetime. Eventually, there comes a time where they don’t function as optimally as they used to. In the event that they get full or blocked, drainage problems are inevitable.
If said problems aren’t caught early, homeowners might have to pay hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars worth of avoidable septic system repairs and replacements. Septic inspections ward off potential plumbing issues before they actually become a real problem, such as:
- Foul odors
- Dangerously high levels of nitrates or coliform bacteria in water wells
- Persistent wet areas around the septic system
- Drainfield failure
- Water contamination
Keep in mind that a malfunctioning or failed septic system is a risk to both human and animal health, and may also cause damage to the surrounding environment.
An inspection also allows you to identify the location, layout, and size of your septic system. This information is greatly valuable to those who are planning to make any future changes to their home’s landscaping.
More importantly, a septic inspection gives you peace of mind. You won’t have to worry about a sudden septic failure that’ll empty your pockets to fix. After the inspection, you’ll be able to rest well knowing that your home’s septic system is the least of your worries.
What Does a Septic Inspection Entail?
During a septic inspection, inspectors open the septic tank’s lid to check the water and sludge levels. They do so by lowering a stick into the tank.
When the inspector detects high volumes of water in your drain field after the water and sludge test, you’ll ultimately have failed the inspection. The sludge shouldn’t take up more than about one-third of the tank’s volume.
The inspector also checks for any backflow while the septic tank is pumped. This makes sure that there are no internal blockages and that everything is in working order.
When Is Septic System Considered Non-Compliant?
A septic system is considered “non-compliant” if it doesn’t meet the required treatment, safety, and operational regulations given by the state. A septic system is non-compliant if:
- The tank isn’t watertight
- The vertical separation from the drain field bottom to bedrock is lacking
- There’s sewage discharge around the septic tank
- There’s surface backup in the house
- There’s high volumes of water in the drain field
What Happens When an Inspection Report Is Unfavorable?
Septic systems that have failed the inspection will have to be upgraded or replaced. Depending on the damage, this can cost anywhere between $1,000 to $15,000, depending on the damage.
Until the fault facility is replaced/upgraded, the inspector won’t be able to hand over the proper documentation needed for a compliant septic system. This may affect the homeowner’s chances of selling the house.
How Do I Pass the Inspection?
Inspection requirements vary from state to state. To help you pass a septic inspection, here are some tips to keep in mind:
Don’t Use Bleach and Other Harsh Chemicals
Using bleach and other harsh chemicals to clean your tubs, sinks, and toilets may kill your septic tank’s good bacteria. This bacteria is responsible for digesting the waste matter found in the septic tank, which therefore prevents problematic clogs and back-ups in the future.
Additionally, bleach and similar strong chemicals may damage the septic system as they may create holes in the tank’s structure. If said structural damage becomes too severe, you might be forced to replace the entire tank.
Therefore, it’s best to use all-natural or eco-friendly cleaners in your home. This is especially true if you’re anticipating a regulatory septic inspection.
Prevent Excessive Water Use
One of the first things an inspector checks during an inspection is the tank’s draining system.
With this in mind, make sure to not overload your system with excessive water a week or two before your inspection date.
When the inspector detects high volumes of water in your drain field after the water test, you’ll ultimately have failed the inspection.
Immediately Address Leaks and Other Plumbing Issues
Over time, even seemingly negligible leaks, blockages, and odors can create a costly problem. As soon as you detect any plumbing issues in your home, promptly address them to a professional plumber.
Try Not To Use Your Garbage Disposal Unit Too Much
Despite popular belief, septic systems don’t have the capacity to break down food from garbage disposal units.
If your disposal unit is directly connected to your septic system, drain clogs are inevitable. If you tend to frequently use your disposal unit, you may want to have it installed in a way that food wastes don’t empty out into your septic tank.
Don’t Miss Your Scheduled Septic Pumping
Septic tanks must be pumped once every two or five years. While not a requirement, having your septic tank pumped increases your chance of passing your septic inspection.
Routinely pumping your septic tank eliminates any signs of misuse and removes anything that can’t naturally be digested or broken down in the tank.
It also removes the solid waste and sludge that had settled to the bottom of the tank, thus preventing it from clogging due to excessive waste.
How Do I Prepare for a Septic Inspection?
To successfully pass a septic inspection, there are several things you need to prepare.
If you’re the owner of the home, prepare all the necessary documents related to your septic system. This includes its full history and when it was last pumped and inspected. It’s also important to know the exact location of the septic on your property.
You’ll then need to hire the right septic expert to conduct the inspection. He or she needs to be fully licensed and work for a reputable company.
Lastly, it’s best to write down a list of concerns and questions for the septic inspector. It’s always great to get an honest, professional opinion from a third party. This is especially true if you’re a potential home buyer.
How Much Does a Septic Inspection Cost?
The cost of inspection depends on the tank’s size and how extensive the inspection is. Depending on where you reside, a standard system inspection can cost anywhere between $200 to $600.
It’s also worth reaching out to your local health department to check if they offer inspections for a reduced price.
Final Thoughts
A routine septic inspection helps you maintain the status of your septic system. If taken care of properly, expect your system to last anywhere between 25 to 30 years.
To pass septic inspection, long-term system care is necessary. Septic system care includes immediately addressing leaks and plumbing issues and using eco-friendly cleaners to clean your bathroom instead of bleach and other harsh chemicals.
Most importantly, don’t miss your scheduled septic pumping; septic tanks need to be emptied once every two to five years.