Septic system inspection & test procedures:

Acomplete guide to septic system inspection & testing: this article series answers just about any question you might have about buying or owning a house with a septic system. In articles listed here we explain in complete detail how to buy, inspect, test, diagnose maintain and repair septic tanks and all other components of septic systems.

We give in-depth information about conventional septic tanks, drain fields, septic pipes, and septic waste handling.

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, photos, sketches, tables, links to products and consultants are provided. [Above photograph shows an open access to a steel septic tank.]

Septic System Inspection & Testing FAQs

These questions & answers about inspecting and testing septic systems were posted originally at SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTION & TEST GUIDE - be sure to also check that information.

On 2018-10-26 by (mod) - interpret discovery that pipes leaving D-box are not perforted

Mari,

Thanks, that's an interesting question.

It's not the case that solid lines leaving the d-box tell you anything about the ultimate destination of the effluent that they are carrying except that there is probably some distance between the D-box and the actual effluent Disposal system.

That's system could be a conventional drain field with perforated pipes in gravel trenches or it could be something else.

On 2018-10-26 by Mari -

If a camera inspection of pipes leaving a d-box shows that those lines are solid/un-perforated, would that indicate that those lines must run to a pit, tank, or chamber of some sort as opposed to a typical leach field or leach area? What type of system would typically have un-perforated pipes leaving the d-box?

On 2018-10-04 by (mod) - orange juice can be poured down drains

At Normal consumer or household levels, no.

See details about what to keep out of toilets and septic tanks

at TOILETS, DON'T FLUSH LIST

On 2018-10-04 by Tim -

Would it be harmful to my septic system to pour some sour orange juice down the drain?

On 2018-08-03 -

The depth of 18 ft means the system will "work" to dispose of effluent. It will not and cannot "work" to treat the effluent effectively.

On 2018-08-03 by Anonymous -

Even though we had to dig down it was back filled with sand, gravel and pipes. It cost us back then $18000.00

On 2018-08-03 by (mod) - Normally one can excavate to and repair a broken/damaged sewer line or pipe.

Normally one can excavate to and repair a broken/damaged sewer line or pipe.

However I would certainly not assume that a drainfield dating from 1979 has any predictable future life.

And if the excavation means someone is going to drive heavy equipment over the drainfield that's likely to end its life right there.

Finally, a drainfield that was really built 18 feet below the surface of the ground cannot possibly work properly. It might "dispose" of sewage effluent but it's so deep in the soil that oxygen levels will be so low that it cannot support the bacteria necessary for effective processing of the pathogens in the effluent.

In short the effluent may be disposed-of but it won't be treated, and it's instead ultimately contaminating the environment, ground-water, and potentially drinking water wells, lakes, rivers, streams.

On 2018-08-03 by Stella Briggs -

Thank you I have one more question, looks like I need to have the pipes repaired about 6 foot from the tanks there is a hole in the ground no water above it but there might be a broken pipe,

I know my tanks are in good condition they are concrete and the company that pumps them out said they look fine, also in 1979 when the drain field was built it was engineered dug down 18 foot and back filled according to township strict rules and no sign of problem there, no problems with any drainage.

Can the pipes be repaired without having to replace tanks and or drain field. I am totally ingnorant in all of this .

On 2018-08-02 by (mod) - Before selling a home do you get your septic tank inspected or your drain field ?

Stella

Please see our advice at HOME SELLERS GUIDE TO SEPTIC SYSTEMS https://inspectapedia.com/septic/Home_Sellers_Guide_to_Septic_Inspections.php
and after looking that over, do not hesitate to ask further question.

Daniel

On 2018-08-02 Stella Briggs -

Before selling a home do you get your septic tank inspected or your drain field, I get my two cement tanks pumped out faithfully and no problem there .

On 2018-07-24 by (mod) - can't get a price on septic expansion cost

Carol,

Indeed there are so many special fields of engineering that one can get lost - so can engineers including some who practice out of their actual expertise.

Talk to the following and ask for suggestions for local experts who actually have experience and expertise with residential septic design. Surely with 49 acres you'll have space for the field extension but probably need a drawing and perc tests to get approval.

1. your local board of health or building department who approve permits

2. local septic installation contractors

3. engineering firms advertising they do septic design in your area

On 2018-07-23 by Carol mock -

We need to expand our leachfield for a small 1bedroom we are adding to our 49 acres.

Can’t seem to get answers as to price for our testing or contact an engineer that would come out to test and okay for the permit. I’m lost

On 2017-06-04 by (mod) - septic tank lid deteriorating

Dave,

Keep in mind that depending on just how much deterioration there is in the septic tank lid, the system could be quite unsafe.

Watch out: If someone falls into a septic tank the result is usually fatal. If it's the case that your tank needs a new lid comma and having the contractor who replaces the lid make other small repairs at the same time would perhaps be easiest.

I really can't describe exactly what repair is needed since I don't understand the actual conditions at your septic tank. However if there's simply a small area of spalling concrete or a crack those things can be repaired with concrete patching compound or for smaller cracks or leaks, butt or silicone sealant.

When repairing an area of spalled concrete, we clean loose material and make sure they repair area is dry. We then coat that area with a bonding agent and then apply a concrete patching compound.

On 2017-06-03 by Dave

I just had tank pumped the man doing the jop said my lid was deteriorating and so was the concrete around the outlet pipe the rest of the tank seems ok.

Can i fix the concrete around the outlet pipe and what is is supposed to look like to me it looked like a box protruding from the side of the tank with the pvc baffle going into it

On 2017-03-24 by Anonymous -

What waist is allowed into septic systems

On 2015-04-22 by Samantha -

Hi there,

I am wanting to create a Septic Tank Inspection checklist for Journeymen Plumbers. Here is what I have so far, can you suggest anything I am missing?

-Perform an effluent quality inspection visually and an odour examination.

-Remove and clean effluent filter.

-Clean or replace air filters in the lift station or compressor.

-Test run sewage pumps and floats and perform a load test on all pumps.

-Determine if the tanks or other components require pumping.

-Visually inspect the drain field or pressure bed.

-Check alarm and panel function, and read history from data logger if equipped.

-Run water through distribution box

-Camera tank

...

Continue reading  at SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTION & TEST GUIDE or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.

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SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTION & TEST GUIDE FAQs at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.

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INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to SEPTIC SYSTEMS

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