InspectAPedia ® | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair, & Problem Prevention Advice |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| InspectAPedia Home |
| | Air Conditioning |
| | Electrical | | | Indoor Environment |
| | Exteriors | | | Heating | | | Home Inspection |
| | Insulate Ventilate |
| | Interiors | | | Mold Inspect/Test |
| | Plumbing Water Septic |
| | Roofing | | | Structure | | | Contact Us |
| Directory of Professionals to Inspect or Test a Building | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
PLUMBING TOPICS SEPTIC SYSTEMS HOME SEPTIC SYSTEM ARTICLES Septic Guide for Home Buyers or Owners Septic System Design Septic Inspection Testing Septic Maintenance Repair Septic Component & Product Suppliers Septic Videos InspectAPedia ® BOOKSTORE HOME BUYERS GUIDE to SEPTIC SYSTEMS HOME SELLERS GUIDE TO SEPTIC INSPECT SEPTIC AUTHORITIES SEPTIC BOOKS SEPTIC CONSULTANTS SEPTIC FIELD INSPECTION SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN BASICS SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN ALTERNATIVES SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTION & TEST GUIDE SEPTIC SYSTEMS ONLINE BOOK SEPTIC TANK PUMPING SCHEDULE SEPTIC TANK PUMPING PROCEDURE SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION PROCEDURE SEPTIC TREATMENTS & CHEMICALS SEPTIC BOOKS REFERENCES CODES SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT TOILET ALTERNATIVES TOILET TISSUE? VIDEO GUIDES: Septic Videos VIDEO GUIDES - InspectAPedia.com WASTEWATER TREATMENT BASICS WATER, WELLS, WATER TANKS: TESTING GUIDE WHAT CAN GO INTO TOILETS & DRAINS? List Your Service/Product More Information InspectAPedia® Home & Site Map Air Conditioning InspectAPedia ® BOOKSTORE ELECTRICAL INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS, REPAIR Environment Exteriors Heating Home Inspection Insulate Ventilate Interiors Mold Inspect/Test Plumbing Water Septic Roofing Structure Accuracy & Privacy Policies Contact Us |
We explain how to buy, inspect, install, test, diagnose maintain and repair septic tanks and all other components of all types of septic systems. We discuss how septic systems work, and how to provide septic system care to avoid replacing the septic system unnecessarily. We provide septic cleaning and septic maintenance procedures, septic inspection methods, septic repair guides, and septic system design information. We give in-depth information about conventional septic tanks, drain fields, septic pipes, and septic waste handling. We describe and explain the need for and how to install alternative septic system designs for problem sites where the need is to save water or where it is difficult to dispose of septic waste. We include tables for septic tanks: pumping frequency, septic tank size, septic tank design, and clearances between septic systems, wells, and other site features and boundaries. This page organizes and links to our detailed septic system inspection, test, repair, and design articles, including our online septic systems book. Septic testing class presentations, septic system photos, septic system design sketches, septic care tables, links to products and consultants are provided. © Copyright 2010 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use the links at page left to navigate this document or to go to Other Website Topics. Green links at left show where you are in our document & website. SEPTIC INFO ARTICLES - Our Online Articles on Septic Systems"How-To" Articles at our Septic System Information Website are in these groups: (these links are also at page left)
We discuss just about every septic system topic and product at this website: septic tank design, septic tank size, septic tank pumping frequency, septic tank cleaning, and septic tank inspection. If you find that something is missing from this website just contact us and ask for it. "Septic tanks" are what home owners or home buyers think of when buying or maintaining a home with a private septic system. But we should be thinking about the whole septic system - since the drain field or leach field makes up half of a typical septic system cost. Septic tank care and septic tank cleaning need to be done on a regular frequency (we provide a septic tank pumping schedule table) in order to avoid ruining the drainfield. Septic tank maintenance is not enough. Proper septic system design for the level of usage and soil conditions is critical if the system is going to have a long useful life. We are also quite concerned with septic system health and safety since there are potential collapse hazards which can be fatal, and there are bacterial and pathogen hazards for both site occupants and for the environment if a septic system is not working properly. The articles listed at this website form an extensive guide to septic systems care, inspection, testing, and installation. We welcome questions and suggestions for content. Information for Home Buyers or Owners
|
|
Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.
SEPTIC SYSTEMS HOME
SEPTIC INFO ARTICLES
Info for Home Buyers or Owners
Septic System Design
Septic Inspection Testing
Septic Maintenance Repair
Septic Component & Product Suppliers
Septic Videos
HOME BUYERS GUIDE to SEPTIC SYSTEMS
SEPTIC SYSTEMS ONLINE BOOK
SEPTIC TANK PUMPING SCHEDULE
SEPTIC TANK PUMPING PROCEDURE
SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION PROCEDURE
SEPTIC FIELD INSPECTION
SEPTIC TREATMENTS
SEPTIC CONSULTANTS
SEPTIC AUTHORITIES
BOOKS REFS CODES
SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN BASICS
SEPTIC DESIGN ALTERNATIVES
List Your Service/Product
Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.
The full Chapter on Design Basics is at SEPTIC DESIGN BASICS.
If you need basic septic system design parameters such as finding the recommended septic tank volume and conventional recommended leach field or drainfield size, along with some notes on how to calculate these from simple water usage and site conditions, here are links to that information. Also take a look at the septic publications, septic design manuals, and onsite waste disposal standards links and articles above and below this section. I am re-writing and reorganizing this design material into a separate guide for laymen (like myself). Septic engineers already know all this stuff. Meanwhile look at the articles listed below as they will allow you to answer basic septic system design questions.
Septic Tank Sizing: to determine the required septic tank size you would need to look at article #1 to see the required tank size based on daily water volume usage and perhaps article #2 to confirm that you're estimating the water volume reasonably.
Tank Retention Time if you just wanted to know our opinion about tank size as a function of effluent retention time, see item #3.
Septic field size planning: see article #4 which sizes the field based on its percolation rate and #9 which describes performing a perc test, with perhaps a look at #10 to understand biomats and why a leach field in a wet area won't treat the effluent.
Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website. If you just "scroll down" you'll miss some important articles. See links at page left.
SEPTIC SYSTEMS HOME
SEPTIC SYSTEM ARTICLES
HOME BUYERS GUIDE to SEPTIC SYSTEMS
HOME SELLERS GUIDE TO SEPTIC INSPECT
SEPTIC AUTHORITIES
SEPTIC BOOKS
SEPTIC CONSULTANTS
SEPTIC FIELD INSPECTION
SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN BASICS
SEPTIC SYSTEM DESIGN ALTERNATIVES
SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTION & TEST GUIDE
SEPTIC SYSTEMS ONLINE BOOK
SEPTIC TANK PUMPING SCHEDULE
SEPTIC TANK PUMPING PROCEDURE
SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION PROCEDURE
SEPTIC TREATMENTS & CHEMICALS
SEPTIC BOOKS REFERENCES CODES
SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT
TOILET ALTERNATIVES
VIDEO GUIDES: Septic Videos
VIDEO GUIDES - InspectAPedia.com
WASTEWATER TREATMENT BASICS
WATER, WELLS, WATER TANKS: TESTING GUIDE
WHAT CAN GO INTO TOILETS & DRAINS?
|
|
![]() The Mold Information Center: What to Do About Mold in Buildings, When and How to Inspect for Mold, Clean Up Mold, or Avoid Mold Problems |
![]() Use this simple, economical mold test kit by following our instructions on how to collect and mail mold samples to our lab |
Environmental Inspection, Testing, & Diagnosis On-Site IAQ, Gas, Air Testing, Mold Investigation, Sick Building Diagnosis, Lab Services, & Remediation Plan Preparation - indoor air quality testing, problem source determination, supporting lab work, written remediation plan addressing removal of environmental and other hazards and prevention of their recurrence.
|
![]() Building Inspection, Problem Diagnosis, Forensic Investigation & Testing, Repair Consulting |
|
|
NOTE: The master copy of the following article is maintained as a separate web documentInspectAPedia.com/septtext.htm
NOTE: The master copy of the following article is maintained as a separate web documentInspectAPedia.com/septtext.htm
Septic system inspection procedures, defects in onsite waste disposal systems, septic tank problems, septic drainfield problems, checklists of system components and things to ask. Septic system maintenance and pumping schedules. © 2009-1978 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Citation of this article by reference to this website and brief quotation for the sole purpose of review are permitted. No warranties are expressed or implied. Use of this information in books or pamphlets for sale is reserved to the author. Some technical review by industry experts has been completed-reviewers are listed at "References." New York State Home Inspection License # 16000005303A "septic system," also referred to as a private, on-site waste disposal system, receives waste water and solids from a Building's plumbing facilities (bathrooms, kitchens, shower, laundry), treats, and then disposes of the effluent from this waste, by permitting it to absorb into soils at the property. "Treatment" is accomplished by bacterial action in the "septic" or "treatment" tank and it is mostly accomplished by bacteria in the soil around and below the effluent absorption system, or "drain field." This bacterial action is needed to reduce the level of pathogens in the effluent discharges from the waste system into the soil. The principal components of a private on-site waste disposal system usually include the following:
Many variations on this general scheme are used, depending on local climate, soil conditions, available space, economy, and available materials. Special equipment and systems may be designed for problem or difficult sites such as rocky or wet ground, permafrost, or wet tropical marshlands. Readers who are unfamiliar with what a private septic system is and the types of systems installed should review articles and sketches of septic system components found at The Septic System Information Website
Types of treatment tanks, adsorption systems, pumps, and other special equipment are discussed in some further detail in this text, and are listed in the septic system inspection checklist data. For a more detailed introduction you may want to read our Lockwood article "What is a Septic System" and then return here to continue by using your browser's "BACK" button.
Providing inspection and diagnosis of on-site waste disposal systems is an extremely valuable public service which helps protect people from expensive unanticipated septic system repair costs and helps protect public health by assuring sanitary disposal of sewage and gray water waste from Buildings. More importantly though, such inspections may detect and warn about serious safety hazards at some properties. The strong warnings issued below intend to reduce septic system safety hazards for inspectors and property owners/occupants, but it is not the author's intention to dissuade inspectors from providing this valuable service.
Danger lurks at cesspools, open covers, tanks or tank covers in poor condition, and from high levels of methane gas. These risk collapse, falling, asphyxiation, and other potentially fatal hazards as well as risks of unsanitary conditions.
Septic and Cesspool Inspection Safety:
If you perform septic inspections you are obligated to do so with proper information, training, procedures, and in some communities a license is required. Some states (e.g. CA, CT, NJ, MA) have specific certification requirements for inspectors of septic systems, as well as specific regulations regarding the performance of the inspection itself. Be sure to obtain information pertinent to your own state, usually from the state health department or state department of environmental protection. For example, Massachusetts septic inspectors will want to look at the links and the Title 5 regulations at our page on the Massachusetts Septic Testing Law. Other links to septic system installation and inspection regulatory agencies are at our Local, State, U.S. Federal Government, & International Agencies & Resources for Septic Systems Wastewater Treatment page.
Septic system concerns for a Building owner start with safety. Here are some red flags:
The next chapter proceeds with inspection of the septic system components.
This chapter discusses detailed "how to" steps instructing the investigator in how to inspect specific septic components for signs of failure. The following section will discuss types and causes of septic failure and will provide criteria that define "failure."
Before digging up your septic tank or calling a septic pumper, if you think the septic system is failed because of drain blockage or drains backing up into the Building, you should to see Diagnosing Clogged Drains: Is it a blocked drain or the septic system? - A First Step for Homeowners". If you link to that text, please return here using your browser's "BACK" button.
Outside waste piping conducts sewage (black water and gray water) from the Building to the treatment tank or "septic tank," and from the treatment tank to the distribution box. These lines should be of solid, non-perforated material and need to be protected from mechanical damage (such as by vehicles). Piping extending from the distribution box into drain fields is normally perforated, though solid lines might be used if effluent is being processed by more specialized devices such as seepage pits, galleys, or a sand-bed system.
This line may become blocked by waste, damaged by collapse of a section, or invaded by roots. Detection of these conditions is fairly easy by routing a snake or power snake from the Building drain to the septic tank. An experienced power snake operator can often tell by "feel" that a drain line is collapsed, partially collapsed, or invaded by roots. While you may make a temporary "repair" of such a condition by drain-cleaning, if the line is broken or root-invaded, you should expect to have to excavate and replace it soon.
The same failures can occur on this line as from house to tank.
In a conventional "drain field" of perforated pipes buried in gravel-filled trenches, a drain line may be invaded by tree roots. This is why experts advise keeping tree and shrub plantings away from drain fields. Vehicle traffic can also collapse this or any outdoor waste piping, which is why experts advise against ever driving over a drainfield or over any other septic system components.
The purpose of the treatment tank or "septic tank" is to contain solid waste and to permit the beginning of bacterial action to process sewage into a combination of clarified effluent, settled sludge, or floating scum in the tank. An intact, un-damaged septic tank is normally always filled with these materials.
Only by pumping and visual inspection can actual tank capacity and condition be completely determined. Probing in the area of a tank, without excavation, is not recommended as the probe may damage a steel or fiberglass tank.
Concrete tanks at an existing septic installation are usually viable, but might have damaged baffles or cracks that permit seepage of groundwater in or septic effluent out around the tank. Occasionally we have seen tanks made of poor-quality concrete (insufficient portland cement) which eroded badly. If the tank outlet or absorption system have been blocked, examination of the tank interior may show that effluent is or has been above the top of the baffles (see baffles below) thus indicating a system failure discussed next.
Other types of tanks and home-made onsite systems are described below at Septic Tank Type, Capacity, Material Details
Baffles in a septic tank are provided to keep solids and floating scum and grease inside the tank. Baffles are provided at both the inlet to the tank (from the Building) and the outlet from the tank (to the absorption system).
Broken baffles or high sludge levels can cause solids to flow out of the tank and into the absorption system. The result is reduced absorption into surrounding soil and eventual failure of the system. Floating scum thickness and settled solids thickness can be measured through access ports into the tank or cesspool. Finding solids at or covering the outlets or damaged baffles should result in report of a very questionable adsorption system and possible major repair cost.
If baffles are lost or damaged (rusted off on a steel tank or broken off on a concrete tank), they can be repaired or replaced. For example at a steel tank the contractor may simply insert a plastic piping "Tee" into the tank inlet or outlet to create a new baffle system.
However, depending on how long the tank was used without good baffles, the volume of solids and grease that moved from the tank to the absorption system will have begun clogging soils there and will have reduced the future life expectancy of the absorption system.
Baffle damage and repair, or even a complete tank replacement when the absorption system has been left alone always lead the author to warn the Building owner that the future life of the absorption system may be in doubt and that additional expense will be involved.
Solids entering a septic tank are intended to remain there until pumped out during tank service. A large portion of solids settle to the bottom of the tank as sludge. Grease and floating scum remain at the top of the sewage in the tank. Baffles (discussed above) help keep solids, scum, and grease in the tank. Bacterial action in the tank make a modest reduction in the solids volume and begin the processing of sewage pathogens, a step later completed by soil bacteria in the absorption fields.
Net free area: If the sludge level becomes too high or the floating scum layer too thick, in addition to risking passage of solids out of the tank (damaging the absorption system), the remaining "net free area" of liquid in the tank is reduced. When the net free area becomes too small, there is insufficient time for waste entering the tank to settle out as bottom sludge or top floating scum. That is, for an in-use septic tank with a small net free area, the frequent entry of solid and liquid waste will keep the tank debris agitated, thus forcing floating debris into the absorption system where the life of that component will be reduced (due to soil clogging).
The importance of keeping an adequate net free area in a septic tank is the reason that tanks need to be pumped at regular intervals. Building owners who never pump a tank until it is clogged have already damaged the absorption system.
See the Massachusetts Title 5 Septic Inspection procedure discussed below for details about determining the level of floating and settled scum and sludge in the tank.
The distribution box (more than one may be in use) connects a single effluent line from the septic tank to a network of absorption system components such as drainfield leach lines or to a network of seepage pits or galleys.
In good system design the outlet openings from the distribution box to each drainfield line can be adjusted to regulate the flow among the various absorption lines. If a distribution box becomes tipped (or clogged) effluent may be routed to only a portion of the absorption system, thus overloading it and leading to a "breakout" of effluent at the surface or to clogging and system backup. An examination of the box interior may show flood lines in the box if the drain field has been clogged or saturated in the past even if at the time of inspection the box is not flooded. If the fields have been flooded you should be pessimistic about the remaining life of the absorption system. If the box is tipped and/or effluent has not been uniformly distributed among the drainfield lines (assuming they are of equal length and in equally good soils), only a simple adjustment of the outflow may be needed. Round plugs with eccentric openings may be present or can be inserted in the D-box outlet openings to regulate flow among the individual absorption lines.
The absorption system or "drain field" has two jobs. First, it disposes of liquid effluent by permitting it to seep into the soil below. Second, a "bio-mat" of bacteria which forms in the soil below the drainage field processes pathogens in the septic effluent to make the effluent sufficiently sanitary as to avoid contaminating nearby ground water. This distinction between successful "disposal" and successful "treatment" is important to avoid groundwater contamination but has not been addressed by regulation in every municipality. Municipalities which require a minimum distance between the bottom of the drain field trenches (or equivalent component) and the top of the seasonal high ground water table have recognized the importance of a working bio-mat and the need to provide adequate dry soil for it to function.
Even in a well-designed drainage field, eventually the soil surrounding the drainfield device (perforated pipe in gravel trench or other seepage system) becomes clogged with grease and debris. Examining an excavated cross-section of a failed drainfield will often display a black or gray band of sludge and grease of about 1" thickness at the inside perimeter of the gravel trench. When this layer of soil becomes sufficiently clogged the passage of effluent into the soil below is slowed and eventually blocked, leading to the need for replacement. Keeping a tank pumped so as to reduce the passage of debris and grease into a drain field will extend its life.
This is the most expensive problem to correct. Look for septic effluent seepage to ground surface in area of equipment or downhill from such equipment. Look for (illegal) drain field line extensions to nearby streams, storm drains, or adjoining properties where the temptation to "fix" a failing system by sending the effluent to an improper destination overwhelmed a previous owner or repair company. In some areas inspectors use septic loading and dye test. Seepage may be due to overloaded tank, failed absorption system, or blocked/broken piping (may be less costly).
An excavator or septic contractor will often explore one or more drain lines (or similar components) by excavating a portion of it to look for evidence of flooding or soil clogging. we have used a simple probe at the end and along a leach bed to check for flooding of that component. (Be careful not to break or collapse old piping.)
This chapter discusses types of septic system failure lists causes of each type of septic component failure, and lists the septic component failure criteria or in other words what conditions are defined as "failure"?. The detailed "how to" steps instructing how to inspect specific septic components for signs of failure are discussed in the text above.
In simplest terms, there are two visible disposal failures:
Septic odors may also indicate a system failure or an imminent failure. But such odors may also be produced by defects in the plumbing vent system or other site conditions. Beware, sewer gas contains methane and is explosive if it reaches a dangerous concentration inside a Building.
Typical causes range from things that are easy and cheap to repair, to a need for complete system replacement:
However there can also be treatment failures.
Effluent may not back up or appear on the surface, but if insufficiently
treated effluent reaches a private well or any stream or waterway, the
environment is being contaminated -- an unacceptable condition. Historically
many people have just worried about disposal. As the quality of drinking water
deteriorates in many areas and as population grows in many previously
thinly-populated areas, proper treatment has become the real concern for
everyone's health.
For example, if there is not sufficient soil between the bottom of the soil absorption system trenches and the local groundwater, the local environment is being contaminated.
Other causes of onsite wastewater disposal system failure:
Massachusetts Title 5 lists specific failure criteria and serves as a good model for septic inspections anywhere.
This level of inspection is typically provided during a "home inspection" for real estate transactions.
The minimum quantities of water and septic dye needed are discussed in a separate chapter at Septic Loading and Dye Test Procedure Details - a chapter of this text "Inspecting, Testing, & Maintaining Residential Septic Systems".
ADDITIONAL LEVELS OF INSPECTION for real estate transactions and for problem diagnosis and bidding prior to actual repair work.
In specifying the size and type of absorption field (leach field, seepage pits, galleys, other) a septic engineer or health department official will require that a soil percolation test or "perc" test be performed. You may hear it described as a "deep hole test." The first time I participated in this procedure I found myself smiling with surprise at how low-tech the procedure actually was (in New York State.)
After identifying the most-likely location on the lot for placement of a septic drainfield, the excavator used a backhoe to dig a rough hole about 5 ft. deep. Happily no groundwater immediately filled in the hole (which would have been bad news). Perhaps this is why builders try to have this test done in July which is the period of most-dry weather and lowest groundwater table levels.
After digging this rough hole, the septic engineer poured a 5-gallon (joint compound) bucket of water into the hole. In some cases a few buckets might be dumped therein. After that sophisticated move, the observers simply watched the rate at which the water disappeared. a one-inch drop in water level in this hole in three minutes was considered very good. If the water was found still in the hole at no drop in level the next morning, this was considered seriously bad and probably requiring some soil exchange or other special design measures.
I like the Massachusetts Title 5 Septic Inspection criteria for defining a (at least possibly) functional drainfield, as the text explains the role of the biomass below the absorption bed, sets soil depth requirements, and recognizes the importance of keeping the bottom of the working biomass area in well drained soil sufficiently above the seasonal high water table.
Here is an example of soil requirements for a functional drainfield. This version is particularly clearly written and is for residents of Ohio but the principles apply anywhere. "In Ohio, soil absorption systems can be used in areas where the percolation rate of the soil is between 3 and 60 minutes per inch (soil permeability between 1 and 20 inches per hour). At least 4 feet of suitable soil is required under the soil absorption system to provide adequate treatment of the septic tank effluent. To accommodate the construction of the system and provide adequate soil cover to grade, a minimum of 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 feet of suitable soil is needed above the limiting layer.
A limiting layer may be bedrock, an impervious soil layer (hardpan, fragipan) or a seasonally high water table (gray soil or mottles). The soil absorption system must be at least 8 feet from any drain line on the lot, 50 feet from a water supply, and 10 feet from the property line, right-of-ways and the house. Septic systems cannot be placed on the flood plain and are limited to areas with less than a 15 percent slope." http://ohioline.osu.edu/aex-fact/0743.html Ohio State University Fact Sheet "Septic Tank - Soil Absorption Systems"
The size of the absorption field needed (in square feet of area, presumably also unencumbered by trees, driveways, Buildings, etc.) can range considerably depending on the soil percolation rate. A lot with a good percolation rate or "perc" of perhaps one inch of percolation in three minutes might require about 4500 square feet for a typical three bedroom home. If the same home were built where there was a poor a soil percolation rate of an hour per inch, 9000 square feet or more might be required for the absorption area.
Drainfield size and location also have to take into account local zoning - setback requirements from property borders, setbacks from streams, wetlands, wells, water supply lines, and other encumbrances.
In the most common design of drainfield, perforated pipes are buried in gravel-filled trenches to form the drainfield. Pipes are placed across the slope line of sloped property (so that all of the effluent doesn't simply rush down to and leak out at the end of the drain line pipe). While some experts describe the bottom of these trenches as "level" in practice they are dug to slope slightly, perhaps 1/8" per foot or less. A typical trench is 18 to 30 inches in depth, and 8 to 12 inches wide. The trenches are dug about 6 feet apart which allows, in good design, space for a set of replacement trenches to be placed between the original ones when the first set fails. The maximum length of a trench is typically about 150 feet but I've found installations that were three times that length.
Where lot space does not permit drainfield trenches such as I've just described, a septic engineer may specify that seepage pits or galleys are to be installed. These fit in a smaller space since a single pit may be 6' to 8' in diameter. But the depth to which effluent is being delivered (4' or more) means that the sewage effluent is unlikely to be fully treated by a biomass. These systems may successfully "dispose" of effluent but they are probably not adequately "treating" it.
It's easy to ruin or shorten the life of a drainfield:
Private communication and "Private Sewage Disposal System," septic
checklist developed for ITA, Inspection Training Associates, Kevin
O'Malley, 1016 S. Tremont Street, Oceanside CA 92054, 800/323-9235
Private communication, K. Oberg to DJ Friedman, 12/15/93, 12/16/93, 7/22/94
Private communication, J. Appleby to DJ Friedman, 9/16/93, Venice FL
Private communication, D. Barnett to DJ Friedman, 9/15/93, Evansville IN
Private communication, N. Becker to DJ Friedman, 9/15/93
Private communication, E. Fitzgerald to DJ Friedman, 9/94, Adoption of New
Jersey environmental protection law addressing septic system operation and
maintenance, Subchapter 12, documented in New Jersey Register, 8/21/89, Cite 21
NJR 2635. Requires annual inspection beginning in 4th year after construction,
describes acceptability criteria, inspection steps, conditions of failure.
Private communication, T. Moore to DJ Friedman, 1/15/94, "Private Septic System
Evaluation," Goshen NY, 914-294-3398
Private communication, S. Vermilye to DJ Friedman, 1/15/94, and
sample checklist, 914-255-8888.
Private communication, D. Surette to DJ Friedman, 5/6/94
Private communication, R. Klewitz to DJ Friedman, 10/1/93
Private communication, L. Scherr to DJ Friedman, 10/1/93,
Cascade Home Inspection, Bend OR
Private communication, G. Reid to DJ Friedman, 12/6/93
Private communication, G. Carroll to DJ Friedman, 11/29/93,
Action Inspection Service, Cincinnati, OH
Private communication, R. Johnson to DJ Friedman, 11/5/93,
The Home Specialist, Inc., Roswell GA
Private communication, E. Rawlins to DJ Friedman, 10/7/93,
Boca Raton FL,
and "You and Your Septic Tank, a guide to the proper
operation and maintenance
of a septic tank system," Department of Natural Resource Protection, 500 E.
Broward Blvd, Suite 104, Fort Lauderdale FL 33394 305-765-5181, Broward County,
FL, January 1993
Private communication, R. and B. Williams to DJ Friedman,
11/20/93, Williams Home Inspection Co, Hollis NH
Private communication, A. Carson and R. Dunlop to DJ Friedman,
2/6/92, 11/10/93
Private communication, L. Cerro to DJ Friedman, 8/22/93
Private communication, R. Passaro to DJ Friedman, 9/15/93, 10/15/93,
Res-I-Tec Corp., Bethel CT; also see Passaro's "Private Sewage Disposal, Some
Suggestions," NY Metro ASHI Seminar, October 1993 (cc on hand)
Private communication, J. Falcone to DJ Friedman, 10/15/93
Private communication, C. Greenberg to DJ Friedman, 9/9/93
Private communication, V. Faggella to DJ Friedman, 9/14/93,
9/24/93, Yorktown Heights, NY
Private communication, R. Stead to DJ Friedman, 9/20/93, Charlton MA
Private communication, T. Lewis to DJ Friedman, 9/20/93,
Lewis Home Inspection, Lawrenceville NJ
Private communication, G. Guarino to T. Lewis, 12/12/91, Septic system
failure and inspection limitations, Township of Hopewell, Department of Health,
201 Washington Crossing, Pennington Rd., Titusville NJ 08560
Private communication, C. Eldredge to J. Falcone, 3/27/91, Septic
Certification and Testing Information from the Pennsylvania Septage Management
Association, Curt Eldredge, General Manager, Wastewater Management, Inc., West
Chester PA 19380 215-436-4045.|
|
![]() The Mold Information Center: What to Do About Mold in Buildings, When and How to Inspect for Mold, Clean Up Mold, or Avoid Mold Problems |
![]() Use this simple, economical mold test kit by following our instructions on how to collect and mail mold samples to our lab |
Environmental Inspection, Testing, & Diagnosis On-Site IAQ, Gas, Air Testing, Mold Investigation, Sick Building Diagnosis, Lab Services, & Remediation Plan Preparation - indoor air quality testing, problem source determination, supporting lab work, written remediation plan addressing removal of environmental and other hazards and prevention of their recurrence.
|
![]() Building Inspection, Problem Diagnosis, Forensic Investigation & Testing, Repair Consulting |
|
|
04/20/2009 - 01/02/1996 InspectAPedia.com/septbook.htm - © 2010 - 1988 Copyright Daniel Friedman All Rights Reserved - InspectAPedia® is a Registered U.S. Trademark