The number of homes that use a septic tank has been slowly rising in recent years. Not everybody wants a home that connects to the city’s sewage system, which is fair! However, it does mean that there’s a need for septic inspection that homeowners may not be aware of.
Are you one of these homeowners who has a septic tank? Have you had a septic inspection recently? If not, it’s time to schedule one.
There are plenty of reasons why you should get a septic tank inspection. If you don’t know them all, don’t worry. We’ll tell you everything you need to know to keep your plumbing up to date.
Why Get a Septic Inspection?
It’s recommended that you get a septic system inspection done every three to five years. It may be more, depending on how much you use your septic system. The tank, pump, electronics, baffles and drain field all need to be in proper working order.
If you don’t get a septic inspection, that increases the odds of an error happening that you could have stopped. When something in your septic system breaks down, that could result in a septic leak.
This leads to problems like your toilet not flushing. Even worse, your drains could back up, and you could be faced with sewage flooding your house. Regular septic inspections will prevent this problem.
What’s Involved in a Septic Inspection?
The first step in any septic inspection is locating the tank. Although there are supposed to be diagrams, these can be misleading or become lost over the years.
Then, the septic inspector needs to dig down to the tank and open the tank’s lids. These are usually made of heavy concrete, so it’s not an easy task. Some of these lids may be cracked, which is why inspectors often carry replacement lids with them.
When the tank and the lids have been located and opened, then you can begin the actual septic inspection.
The inspector will examine each component to be sure it’s working properly. They may need to take samples to be sure the job is being done.
The inspector will also need to pump the tank. This is why inspections need to be done every three to five years. It allows for a more complete inspection, and it prevents problems from occurring later down the line.
Finally, the inspector will seal the lids again and cover the tank. They’ll be careful with the sod to make sure the grass receives minimal damage. Some places will even help re-seed to help the grass recover.
If you’re worried about what all of this will cost, many septic inspectors will give you a quote when you speak to them.
When to Get a Septic Tank Inspection
As stated earlier, you should be having septic inspections every three to five years. However, many homeowners wait longer to have septic inspections done. Often they wait until something goes wrong, which means the septic tank will need a repair or replacement.
Don’t wait for an inspection. Replacing a septic tank costs anywhere from six thousand to twenty-five thousand dollars. Your wallet – and your residential plumbing – will thank you for not waiting.
Beyond this, you should also have a septic system inspection done when you’re buying a new home. This will prevent you from buying a house with a damaged system, and help you to be aware of potential problems.
Septic tanks can last for twenty-five years. This is partially why it’s important to get inspections – you don’t know how old or worn the septic tank is. In addition, maintenance and regular inspection can make your septic tank last a lifetime.
Questions to Ask During an Inspection
When having a septic tank inspection done, there are plenty of questions you might have. These are all normal, which is why we’ve listed example questions and answers below.
Will There Be an Odor After Pumping the Tank?
There may be unpleasant odors directly after pumping the tank. However, this won’t last long. Any odors are usually outside and disperse after a few hours.
What Do Septic Filters Do?
Septic filters separate hair, grit, and grime from the rest of the material. A filter goes on the outlet and acts as a strainer.
This ensures that only water goes into the drain field. It also keeps your septic system working as it should.
What Should I Flush?
There are a lot of products, such as baby wipes, that are marked as safe for septic tanks. Even if these are marked as safe, you shouldn’t take the risk.
Flushing anything other than waste and toilet paper down the drain is a hazard to your septic system. This is because other materials do not break down the same way.
Never, under any circumstances, flush items like tampons or pads down the drain. This will eventually lead to your septic tank backing up.
Reach Out for More Information
Now that you’ve heard everything you need to know about getting a septic inspection, you’re probably ready to set one up. However, you may have further questions. You may want to schedule a septic tank inspection while you’re already here.
If either of these is the case, you can contact us. We’ll get back to you with answers or to set up a time when you can be there for a septic inspector to visit your house.
We offer services in both residential plumbing and commercial, so we can help you whether the problem is at your home or business.
