Septic tank inspection

National Association of Wastewater Transporters (NAWT) Certified #112156 IC

In the event you are buying a property with a septic system, you should have it inspected by a professional septic contractor. I only include this type of specialized non-invasive inspection, as an Optional System according to TREC for additional fees, combined with a complete property inspection. This will include inspecting the tank(s), when it's pre-pumped empty before my arrival, as well as the leach drainfield(s) or aerobic components. Other evaluations or tests may be necessary upon investigation findings. Full or partially full tanks can not be thoroughly assessed or inspected.

It makes good sense to have the tank pumped at the time of this inspection. A professional septic contractor can perform both the inspection and pump the tank, killing two birds with one stone and assuring that you begin with an empty tank and a system that has been properly inspected. Often, your agent can negotiate with the seller to have the tank(s) pumped before the house is inspected.

Helpful links:

http://recenter.tamu.edu/tgrande/vol8-2/1456.html

http://www.epa.gov/OW-OWM.html/septic/pubs/homeowner_guide_long.pdf

http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/compliance/compliance_support/regulatory/ossf/ossfadvice.html

http://cfpub.epa.gov/owm/septic/home.cfm

http://www.inspect-ny.com/septbook.htm

http://www.inspect-ny.com/septic/buyguide.htm

http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/nsfc/nsfc_septicnews.htm#recordkeeping

Septic Systems

Septic systems treat and disperse relatively small volumes of wastewater from individual or small numbers of homes and commercial buildings. Septic system regulation is usually a state, tribal, and local responsibility. EPA provides information to homeowners and assistance to state and local governments to improve the management of septic systems to prevent failures that could harm human health and water quality.

Information for Homeowners

If your septic tank failed, or you know someone whose did, you are not alone. As a homeowner, you are responsible for maintaining your septic system. Proper septic system maintenance will help keep your system from failing and will help maintain your investment in your home. Failing septic systems can contaminate the ground water that you or your neighbors drink and can pollute nearby rivers, lakes and coastal waters.

Ten simple steps you can take to keep your septic system working properly.

Locate your septic tank and drainfield. Keep a drawing of these locations in your records.
Have your septic system inspected at least every three years.
Pump your septic tank as needed (generally every three to five years).
Don't dispose of household hazardous wastes in sinks or toilets.
Keep other household items, such as dental floss, feminine hygiene products, condoms, diapers, and cat litter out of your system.
Use water efficiently.
Plant only grass over and near your septic system. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs might clog and damage the system. Also, do not apply manure or fertilizers over the drainfield.
Keep vehicles and livestock off your septic system. The weight can damage the pipes and tank, and your system may not drain properly under compacted soil.
Keep gutters and basement sump pumps from draining into or near your septic system.
Check with your local health department before using additives. Commercial septic tank additives do not eliminate the need for periodic pumping and can be harmful to your system.

How does it work?

A typical septic system has four main components: a pipe from the home, a septic tank, a drainfield, and

the soil. Microbes in the soil digest or remove most contaminants from wastewater before it eventually reaches groundwater. The septic tank is a buried, watertight container typically made of concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene. It holds the wastewater long enough to allow solids to settle out (forming sludge) and oil and grease to float to the surface (as scum). It also allows partial decomposition of the solid materials. Compartments and a T-shaped outlet in the septic tank prevent the sludge and scum from leaving the tank and traveling into the drainfield area. Screens are also recommended to keep solids from entering the drainfield. The wastewater exits the septic tank and is discharged into the drainfield for further treatment by the soil. Microorganisms in the soil provide final treatment by removing harmful bacteria, viruses, and nutrients.

Your septic system is your responsibility!

Did you know that as a homeowner you’re responsible for maintaining your septic system? Did you know that maintaining your septic system protects your investment in your home? Did you know that you should periodically inspect your system and pump out your septic tank? If properly designed, constructed, and maintained, your septic system can provide long-term, effective treatment of household wastewater. If your septic system isn’t maintained, you might need to replace it, costing you thousands of dollars. A malfunctioning system can contaminate groundwater that might be a source of drinking water. And if you sell your home, your septic system must be in good working order.

Pump frequently...

You should have your septic system inspected at least every 3 years by a professional and your tank pumped as necessary (generally every 3 to 5 years).

Use water efficiently...

Average indoor water use in the typical single-family home is almost 70 gallons per person per day. Dripping faucets can waste about 2,000 gallons of water each year. Leaky toilets can waste as much as 200 gallons each day. The more water a household conserves, the less water enters the septic system.

Flush responsibly...

Dental floss, feminine hygiene products, condoms, diapers, cotton swabs, cigarette butts, coffee grounds, cat litter, paper towels, and other kitchen and bathroom items can clog and potentially damage septic system components. Flushing household chemicals, gasoline, oil, pesticides, antifreeze and paint can stress or destroy the biological treatmen taking place in the system or might

contaminate surface waters and groundwater.

How do I maintain my septic system?

Plant only grass over and near your septic system. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs might clog and damage the drainfield.
Don’t drive or park vehicles on any part of your septic system. Doing so can compact the soil in your drainfield or damage the pipes, tank, or other septic system components.
Keep roof drains, basement sump pump drains, and other rainwater or surface water drainage systems away from the drainfield. Flooding the drainfield with excessive water slows down or stops treatment processes and can cause plumbing fixtures to back up.

Why should I maintain my septic system?

A key reason to maintain your septic system is to save money! Failing septic systems are expensive to repair or replace, and poor maintenance is often the culprit. Having your septic system inspected (at least every 3 years) is a bargain when you consider the cost of replacing the entire system. Your system will need pumping every 3 to 5 years, depending on how many people live in the house and the size of the system. An unusable septic system or one in disrepair will lower your property’s value and could pose a legal liability. Other good reasons for safe treatment of sewage include preventing the spread of infection an disease and protecting water resources. Typical pollutants in household wastewater are nitrogen phosphorus, and disease-causing bacteria and viruses. Nitrogen and phosphorus are aquati plant nutrients that can cause unsightly algae blooms. Excessive nitrate-nitrogen in drinking wate can cause pregnancy complications, as well as methemoglobinemia (also known as blue baby syndrome) in infancy. Pathogens can cause communicable diseases through direct or indirect body contact or ingestion of contaminated water or shellfish. If a septic system is working properly, it will effectively remove most of these pollutants.

The image “http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/images/conventional_system2_2.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.

More information!

WHAT IS A SEPTIC TANK SYSTEM?
A septic tank system consists of two components:

(1) The septic tank is an underground watertight container, almost always constructed of concrete, and is built to receive sewage and retain the liquid portion for approximately 24 hours. The tank has three functions: First, it acts as a settling chamber to allow solids to settle to the tank bottom; second, the tank serves as a digestion chamber to allow some biological treatment; and third, the tank becomes a storage vault for solids until removed.

(2) The tile absorption field (nitrification field) is the second and probably the most critical part of the septic tank system. It consists of a trench, or system of trenches, with gravel or crushed stone and jointed tile or perforated pipe to receive the liquid sewage after treatment in the septic tank and to distribute this liquid to the soil for absorption and final biological treatment.

SEPTIC TANK SYSTEM INSTALLATION
To protect the public health dangers of improper sewage disposal practices, state regulations have been adopted. The regulations are designed to help insure that when a septic tank system is used, it will be constructed to meet appropriate standards, of sufficient size to handle the anticipated waste load, and that the soil is suitable for absorption of sewage. These regulations require that a permit to construct a septic tank system be obtained from the county health department. A septic tank system may not be covered with earth until an inspection is made and approval is given by the county health department sanitation. Remember that a septic tank system cannot be safely installed on all lots or building sites. Some lots or building sites are unsuitable because of the type of soil, terrain (too steep, too low or wet, etc.), size, ground water, rock, or other factors which would interfere with proper operation of the system.

Although one usually wants to keep all the trees and shrubs possible on his lot, remember that the roots of trees and shrubs growing near the septic tank, system may infiltrate the absorption trenches and block the flow of sewage. It is advisable to remove trees and shrubs growing over the trenches or near the septic tank system.

CARE OF YOUR SEPTIC TANK SYSTEM
A septic tank system requires prudent usage and maintenance to insure its best performance. Here are some tips:

(1) Only household waste and toilet tissue should be disposed of in a septic tank system. Keep all kitchen greases out of the system.

(2) Any leaks that develop in the plumbing fixtures should be immediately corrected. A leaking faucet or toilet tank, no matter how small the leak, will eventually result in complete saturation and failure of the absorption field.

(3) A septic tank needs periodic cleaning or pumping out of the accumulated solids. If the solids are allowed to build up in the tank to a point that they begin to pass out of the tank into the soil absorption network, the soil will soon become clogged with the solids, resulting in failure of the system. If this happens, costly repairs will have to be made before the system will again function properly.

The frequency of tank cleaning or pumping is hard to determine as it depends on many factors and varies with different families. The only sure way to determine the need for service is to open the tank periodically and inspect it to determine the accumulation of solids, but most homeowners will not do this when it is needed. A good rule of thumb would be to have the septic tank pumped out every 3-5 years. This should provide a margin of safety, but remember the most accurate way to determine the need for service is to inspect the tank contents on a yearly basis. When you decide to pump out the tank, contact the county health department for a list of sewage removal contractors who have been approved as having the proper equipment to do the job and an approved site to dispose of this offensive waste.

(4) Automobiles and other heavy vehicles should not be allowed over the septic tank system. This causes excessive compaction and actual structural damage to septic tanks and tile absorption field. A sketch of your septic tank system can usually be obtained from your county health department to aid you in knowing the location of all parts of the system. This can be helpful in case of problems with the system or when the tank is cleaned. (5) No presently known chemical, yeast, bacteria, enzyme, or other additive product will improve the operation or life expectancy of a septic tank system.

BUYER BEWARE
If you are about to purchase a lot to construct a home in an area which is not served by a public sewerage system, contact the county health department to find out if that lot has been approved for development using a septic tank system. They may already have information on this property, but if not, an evaluation can be made, and the owner may have to arrange for soil tests to be made by an engineer or surveyor before a decision can be made on its suitability.

TIPS ON WATER CONSERVATION
Studies indicate that the average household can reduce water consumption by 15-20% by using water conserving toilets and showerheads. The toilets are readily available from most major manufacturers at no additional cost over conventional toilets. These are ideal for new construction as well as replacement units. The showerhead water conserver can be attached to existing shower equipment at little cost and reduces the amount of water used by about 50%. The toilets reduce water usage from over 5 gallons per flush to 3% gallons. The benefits from water conservation are many, but here are just a few: 1. Cost of water. Water rates are likely to continue to increase in the future. 2. Cost of heating water. 3. Cost of pumping water (well pump). 4. Reduced load on septic tank system 5. Reduction in charge for disposal of sewage in city system 6. Reduced load on sewer lines, sewage treatment plants, etc.

We all need to practice water conservation if we are to continue to have plentiful supplies of good water for use in our homes and industries.

I encourage you to accompany your inspector so that you may ask questions and gain a better understanding of the systems located at the property.

If you have any questions, or are interested in any other services, please contact us so we may discuss your specific needs.