Proper method for inspecting septic systems

[Peter C. Russell]

Originally Posted by swessler

Peter,
How do you determine the length of your field lines, with witching or ?
Is it common in your area for inspectors to dig inspection holes or is that the added service you provide?

Steve, Part of my fee includes a permit/approved design search which will indicated the filed size. Unfortunately most system are from a time period when record keeping was not that good. In these cases I go on experience and probing. I try to get an approximate size. What really matters is the condition of the components.

As far as digging goes, I'll have to say that most inspectors do not go as far as I do. Most will uncover the tank and do a flow test and thats it. I find the most revealing part of the inspection is locating and uncovering the D-Box and digging at least two inspection holes in the field. I run a flow test as part of my inspection as well.

[Steven J. Wessler]

Peter,
I am State Certified in Missouri, and have been for a couple of years. I would like to check with out State Office to see about inspection holes. I check for permits as well, but alot are put in under the Radar. I use a couple of witches while testing the flow, but are not that accurate in many cases. Missouri requires us to determine the field and how many lines and draw a diagram of the plot.
Last Question: Do you get alot of negative feed back from the property owners on digging holes the yard?

[Peter C. Russell]

Originally Posted by swessler

Peter,
I am State Certified in Missouri, and have been for a couple of years. I would like to check with out State Office to see about inspection holes. I check for permits as well, but alot are put in under the Radar. I use a couple of witches while testing the flow, but are not that accurate in many cases. Missouri requires us to determine the field and how many lines and draw a diagram of the plot.
Last Question: Do you get alot of negative feed back from the property owners on digging holes the yard?

I don't usually have a problem. Most understand it's part of the inspection process.

I also use a square shovel. I cut the grass and place each square and the dirt on a tarp. When done I put the pieces back so there is minimal disruption of the lawn.

[Peter C. Russell]

Think you don't need to inspect a new septic system? Here's one from a three year old home.

What was installed was not what was designed. Only 7 laterals instead of 9.
Effluent filter missing from treatment tank.
Flow diverter missing from 1 lateral, resulting in this area of the EDA to be flooded.
Overall poor job on finish grade.

[Peter C. Russell]

Here's an interesting one.
Home was inspected for real estate transfer but the inspector missed the somewhat abandoned septic system. This is an old dry well that is currently servicing the backwash for the water treatment system.

Everything was in plain site.

[Peter C. Russell]

Here is a good example of a 25 year old stone and pipe system. This system was rated as in good condition. Note that each inspection hole had clean sand and stone with no staining, indicating that this EDA has never backed up or flooded. Also noteworthy is the unrestricted flow in and out of the D-Box.



For more information please visit www.nhsepticinspection.com

[William T. Misegades]

Thanks Peter for the education. It's been interesting reading through your inspections!

[Peter C. Russell]

Originally Posted by wmisegades

Thanks Peter for the education. It's been interesting reading through your inspections!

Your welcome, My intenet is to show all the different types of systems I see along with how they hold up.

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by wmisegades

Thanks Peter for the education. It's been interesting reading through your inspections!

Yes, good info...thanks.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Good info Pete, keep posting them. I'm learning.

[Jonie Anderson]

Thanks for sharing such a useful article.Proper evaluation and planning of the components,and proper inspection will be really beneficial.







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