WHAT TO EXPECT
Septic System Inspection

WHAT TO EXPECT
Septic System Inspection

Point-of-sale real estate wastewater inspection (POS)

A point-of-sale real estate inspection, also known as a septic inspection, is a non-invasive visual inspection of of a home’s septic system to determine its location, installed components, and overall condition of the system. While we cannot predict future conditions, the septic inspection is a critical aspect of the due diligence process of a real estate transaction. A septic inspection typically includes:

Research and Locate

Our septic inspection begins before we get to the subject property; we work with the local health district to collect documentation on your septic system such as operations permits, compliance notices, and previous operation & maintenance reports. Once on-site, our technician starts by reviewing the property and locating the installed septic system. We will then use a camera or operate a plumbing fixture inside the home to confirm the connection of the home to the septic tank.

Visual Inspection

We use various tools and methods to perform a visual inspection of the septic tank, the inlet & outlet, take a core sample to determine the solids level, and then attempt to locate the drain field using a probe or our 4k sewer scope camera. This inspection helps us understand the overall condition of your septic system.

Review and Written Reports

After we have a clear understanding of the installed wastewater system we will be ready to review our findings with you or your agent on-site helping you learn as much as you want to know about your system, how it works, any necessary repairs or improvements, and recommended maintenance tips. We will then provide you a written report complete with photos and narratives.

Advice & Recommendations

Interpreting Inspection Reports

Inspection reports can seem complex at first glance. However, they offer valuable insights into the wastewater system’s health. Key findings will be listed, detailing the integrity of the system. We will review the report with you. This will help us identify any signs of backup water infiltration. We will also look for areas that need attention to maintain proper drain field conditions.

Maintenance Recommendations

Regular maintenance keeps the system functioning efficiently, reducing the chance of future problems. Recommendations might include specific repairs or more frequent pumping. These actions help extend the system’s lifespan. Incorporating these maintenance tasks into a routine schedule is beneficial. Regular checks and upkeep prevent costly repairs down the road.

Hiring a Professional for Septic Inspections

When it comes to septic inspections, hiring a professional is essential. We have the knowledge and experience to assess the system thoroughly. Hiring a professional also guarantees adherence to local standards and regulations. This compliance reduces the risk of legal complications down the line. We ensure to adhere to all Ohio Department of Health (ODH) standards.

Ensuring Compliance and Healthy Operations

A septic inspection is critical to ensuring compliance with ODH and location health district regulations. Our qualified and professional team will help you understand compliance/non-compliance with these rules and prepare you for future required operation & maintenance compliance inspections as required by the local health district. Maintaining compliance ensures your septic system operates efficiently and effectively to protect your health. Trusting Check-Mate Ohio with your septic project ensures you’re on the right track toward compliance. We are registered with several local health districts, including the following counties: Richland, Ashland, Crawford, and Morrow.

Frequently Asked Q&A – What to Expect:

  • Septic Tank to Soil Absorption Trench
    A conventional septic tank to “pipe and gravel” soil absorption trench is the old-school way to treat influent and get effluent to the soil for treatment. In some cases, this may be the best option for your lot. Today, while septic tanks are still a very common tool used to treat influent, there are various products that allow effluent to get to the soil within a gravel-free trench which may require less labor, material, and/or equipment time. Some of those products are chambers, large diameter pipe, and geo-synthetic aggregate. Other types of treatment exist and are approved for use in Ohio as well.
  • Geotextile and Sand Filters
    Some soil conditions don’t allow for traditional leaching trenches and require different approaches to treat the effluent and protect the environment. It is not uncommon in Ohio to see shallow placement or mound systems to allow the soil available for treatment to do its work. Sometimes an additional treatment process is required prior to allowing the soil to finish the work and may come in the form of a sand filter, a geotextile filter, or both. Other types of treatment exist and are approved for use in Ohio as well.
  • Advanced Pre-Treatment
    Sometimes, the soil conditions require, or due to site constraints a homeowner may choose, an advanced pre-treatment system commonly referred to as an ATU or Advanced Treatment Unit. These systems generally use mechanical systems in the form of air pumps, agitators, and sometimes UV or chemical disinfectant systems to reduce the amount of total suspended solids (TSS), organic matter (BOD), and other bacterial in the effluent prior to it reaching the dispersal area. While typically more expensive, these systems can sometimes allow a wastewater system to be installed where conventional systems are not a viable option. Other types of treatment exist and are approved for use in Ohio as well.

A septic field, also known as a drain field or leach field, is a key component of a septic system. It plays a crucial role by distributing wastewater into the soil.

The soil then filters and treats the wastewater, allowing it to percolate safely into the groundwater. Proper functionality of the septic field is essential for the entire system’s health.

Regular inspections are crucial in identifying potential problems before they escalate. Early detection can prevent severe issues such as blockages or system failures.

By maintaining consistent inspection schedules, homeowners can ensure efficient operation and extend the life of their septic systems. Regular checks also ensure compliance with local regulations and environmental standards.

Depending on the property, there may or may not be much you can do; however, the following concepts can aid in facilitating a more fluid inspection:
  • Ensure electricity and water to the home are turned on.
  • Locate any supporting documentation you can regarding previous maintenance (O&M Reports, Pumping Records, Permits, etc).
  • Document or be prepared to discuss any past issues, repairs, or improvements to the system.
  • Remove occupant possessions from the area of the septic system.
  • Secure pets inside the home.
  • If you won’t be home, inform neighbors/family members that we’ll be on your property.

Knowing the precise location of your septic system components is essential. This includes the septic tank, drain field, and inspection ports.

Accurate knowledge aids in efficient inspections and helps address any problems swiftly. Use system diagrams or records to identify each part’s position.

If you aren’t sure, not to worry, we can help locate it for you.

The septic inspection begins before we even get to your home; we will work with the local health district to collect any relevant documentation available on the system such as operating permits, compliance evaluations, design information, etc.

Once on-site, we will walk the property to familiarize ourself with the area, and then locate the tank and uncover the tank lid(s) if risers are not present. We then perform a visual inspection of the tank, the inlet & outlet, take a core sample to determine solids level, and then attempt to located the drain field using a probe. If possible, we will also use our sewer scope camera to inspect the line coming from the home to the tank and from the tank to the next component (distribution device and/or field). If we have to dig to uncover the tank we will do our best to return the area where we dug to how it was before we dug, however, there will be a small scar left. Some systems have other components such as an aeration tank/system, dosing tank, or a control panel. If present, these component will be inspected and documented as well.

While having the septic tank pumped during the septic inspection is not required, we highly encouraged our clients to have the tank pump (we’ll coordinate this with a local pumping contractor). If the tank is not pumped, we may not be able to see the entirety of the outlet T, the tank walls, floor, or baffle.

Check-Mate technicians employ various tools to ensure a comprehensive evaluation. We use remote locating tools such as a radio sonde and wand, probing rods, and cameras to help in identify the locations of system components. Not only will the remote locating equipment help us find the system, they can also help us identify areas of concern, deficiencies, and non-compliance. Technological advancements have significantly enhanced the efficiency of the process and we capitalize on these tools to provide you with a more thorough inspection. From time to time, inspections may often include a dye tests, water test, or an assessment of clarification of treated effluent, which is dependent on the system and situation at hand.

Assessing the condition of the septic field is a key aspect of the septic inspection. Our inspectors will look for signs of saturation, ponding, and/or surfacing of effluent, unusual odors, and significant differences in vegetation around the field. Depending on the system type, we may use various tools to assess the drain field area such as our sewer scope camera, an available inspection port, or a probe. During a typical septic inspection, we do not use an excavator to uncover the drain field or dig holes in the yard beyond accessing the septic tank if access risers are not already installed.

A soil evaluation is typically conducted during the system design phase of an on-site wastewater system (septic system). A soil evaluation is the process by which a licensed soil scientist evaluates the soil to determine what type of soil is present, the overall condition, and will identify any limiting conditions with respect to the soil or the site. This information is necessary to determine if the soils and the site are suitable for a septic system and, if so, what type of septic system can be installed.

Uncovering issues early during a septic field inspection can save time and money. Identifying problems and routine maintenance helps prevent future complications and maintain your system’s life.

Proactive detection allows homeowners to address issues before they become severe. This extends the life of the septic system and helps relieve future headaches over unforeseen incidences.

Every inspection aims to identify both visible and hidden issues. A thorough inspection ensures a healthy and efficient septic system.

Septic system inspections uncover a myriad of problems some which are correctable and some that require a replacement system to be installed. Sometimes the problems are a result of damage/deterioration that has taken place naturally over-time, but sometimes it is a result of misuse/over use of the system by the occupants.

Common Problems:

  • Leaky fixtures / toilets: a leaking toilet can send hundreds of gallons of water to a septic system and saturate the distribution system.
  • Water Infiltration into the system: a leak at the septic tank or a drain pipe allowing water into the system that the system was not designed to handle.
  • Damaged Access Risers: this can allow water or other foreign material into the septic system.
  • Deteriorated Pipes: this may result in a blockage or root infiltration restricting water flow.
  • Root Infiltration at the Drain Field: in older system, root infiltration can result in reduced water flow and/or damage to the drainage systems. This isn’t as common of an issue with newer products.
  • Missing Filters: modern septic tanks require an effluent filter to prevent/reduce the amount of suspended solids that move to the drain field.
  • Damaged/Deteriorating Septic Tanks: over time, the septic tank may deteriorate with exposure to gases and chemicals in the soils necessitating replacement.
  • Other problems include cracked or collapsed pipes, improper installation, or damage as a result of vehicular traffic or downed trees all which disrupt the system’s function.

Many times, there can be a simple solution to an issue such as fixing a leaky toilet, replacing a damaged/deteriorated pipe, or sealing a leaky riser. Sometimes, we can work with the local health department to complete a progressive repair to a large problem in an effort to elongate the service life of the installed system. If it is possible and/or financially feasible, we always want to try to elongate the service life of an installed system; however, sometimes the only solution is the installation of a replacement wastewater system.

After the inspection, understanding the results is crucial. Your inspection report provides detailed insights into the system’s condition.

This report highlights any issues found during the inspection. It also includes recommended actions for maintaining a healthy septic system.

Taking the time to review and understand this information is important. It empowers homeowners to make informed decisions about necessary repairs or upgrades.

Septic Tank Maintenance Benefits

By maintaining your septic system, you protect your property and the environment for years to come. Prioritize timely inspections to keep your septic system functioning optimally. We are always available to answer any questions or concerns you may have.