water and septic inspections

[Joseph Hagarty, CMI]

http://www.psma.net/index.html

http://www.psma.net/inspection_video.html

PSMA is the Only Recommended way in Pennsylvania.

Soon to be required by contract for On-Lot Systems.

Stay Tuned................

Question. If the tank is full, how can you inspect it?
Would it not be in the best interest of the purchaser/client, to have the system pumped and inspected at the same time?

[mvanek]

I pass on all of these calls dont need the mess .... to nasty to many legal problems to little cash

[Jay Moge]

i did an ispection last week on a split, and the client asked me if i test the septic. and i said no, you'll need to call a sewer co. so they did, he drove out, met us all there and didn't even dig a hole or anything. he has serviced this perticular one several times in the last few years. the tank was fine but the leach feild was junk, and needed about $5000 worth of work. even if i did check the tank, i'd never have been able to test the leach feild on one visit. just one more reason i don't even try it, plus up here you need to be cerified for septic.

[mvanek]

I called a local home inspector that said he did septic inspections. I called as a buyer not as me and he gave me this bull about he doesnt need to pull the lid and he knows how much water to run in each sink to test it. then he says he walks the grass area probing for water. what a rip off for extra 250.00 he does what we all do run the water and check yard. he will get his soon, he says he also offers home repairs and can fix anything he finds broken for extra cash. what a no no this *** needs outed.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

A Realtor asked me yesterday to do a dye test. Here's my reply:

"Dear Ms. _________:

It is my belief that dye tests of septic systems are not useful in determining septic system functionality. Even if you did do it, it would require hundreds of gallons of water to get the dye out to the leech field and up to the surface of the ground.

There is no standard or protocol for septic dye tests. State licensed septic companies will only certify a septic system by removing the lid and pumping and examining the tank and pipe connections. (By doing anything less, how much liability would a home inspector be assuming by giving assurances about the functionality of a septic system?)

For the reasons listed above, I do not perform septic dye tests. I will, however, arrange to have a licensed septic company on site the same time I am there. They will provide a written certification about the condition of the septic system after removing the lid and pumping the system. Their fee depends on who I use. Who I use depends on the location of the home. In the York County area, the fee would be $195 (_______ Septic Tank Service). In Gaston County, it would be $100 to $150 (_______ Septic Tank Service) depending on how deep they have to dig. (If you know of any better rates, please let me know and I’ll have that company there.)

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,"

[Peter Foxe Smothers]

Originally Posted by mvanek

I pass on all of these calls dont need the mess .... to nasty to many legal problems to little cash

Do you inspect sprinklers??

[Richard W. Washington]

Well, I have been trying to dig up some info on the boards for some understanding of what to inspect for in a well. Any ideas or links to refer me to. The inspection is Sat. I get at least one a month asking for septic/well. Of course I refer the septic but with the well it does not seem like much. Am I wrong??

[Richard W. Washington]

Well, I decided not to try and inspect the well. It seems that there might just be too many variables out there that could be missed. A local well company says they do inspections so I am subbing it out.

Still wonder if there is certification/training that can be obtained for this as it will generate some good business.