How a Pro Inspects a Septic Tank
In many homes in Howard County will have septic systems rather than being part of a municipal waste management system. When purchasing a home a thorough inspection of the septic system can help make sure the system is working properly.
According to Rachel Oslund, Licensed Home Inspector with Pillar to Post, the inspection of a septic system begins with locating the tank and determining the material the tank is made of. Tanks are concrete, fiberglass, or metal. Next, the level of the contents is checked. The solid waste in a septic tank need to be pumped periodically. Rachel suggests that an inspection be performed prior to cleaning the tank to give an accurate estimate of the solids in the container.
Then, the inspector determines if the back baffle that controls the flow of water in and out of the tank is working properly. The flow of waste from house to the tank is measured. The alarm, floats and the pump on the pump chamber, if present, are tested.
Then a probe is used to check for cracks and voids in the septic tank. Likewise, the drain field is probed to determine if the field is working properly or failing. At this time, if the system is functioning properly, the inspector will give the system an estimated life expectancy.
Rachel gives us these dos and don’ts for septic systems.
- Do clean your septic tank every 1 – 5 years. Pumping may be need more often depending on the size of the house and the number of residents.
- Do use liquid laundry detergent (not powdered).
- Do use a septic additive like CCLS if more than three people live in the home.
- Don’t pour grease down the drain.
- Don’t flush feminine hygiene products/baby wipes/condoms down the toilet.
With a little maintenance and care a septic system can function efficiently for many years. Having the system inspected when buying a home will make certain the system has been well maintained and will continue to function.
Rachel Oslund of Pillar to Post Professional Home Inspection can be contacted at 410-804-8626 office or 301-512-5641 cell. For information on home inspections visit Home Inspection Packages or https://www.pillartopost.com/jimandrachel