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How & Why to Inspect the Septic Tank Before Pumping & Cleaning
- POST a QUESTION or COMMENT about septic tank inspection procedures: what problems should we check for before beginning the septic tank pumpout?
Septic tank inspection before pumping:
What to look for and what it means. Information visible in the septic tank before pumping it can be very diagnostic about the condition of both the septic tank and the drainfield.
This septic tank pumpout article series provides a step by step, photo-illustrated guide to opening, pumping, and inspecting septic tanks, how a conventional septic tank is located, opened, pumped out, cleaned, and inspected.
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- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?
Inspect the Septic Tank Before Pumping Begins
A Photographic Guide to Pumping a Septic Tank - what should be inspecdted before beginning to pump a septic tank.
[Click to enlarge any image]
Article contents
- Inspect septic area safety before approaching the septic tank - do not approach an area of subsidence without expert assistance - risk of fatality
- Inspect septic tank covers & cleanouts for safe secure closure
- Inspect septic tank baffles for indications abnormally high sewage levels: blockage
- Inspect septic tank sewage level for abnormallyi low sewage level - leaks
- Measure floating scum & settled sludge layers before tank pumpout to adjust tank pumping frequency
As the septic tank cleanout cover is lifted clear of the tank the worker keeps his back straight to avoid injury.
Notice that the worker above has also spread his feet and found secure footing before lifting the tank cover. Slipping at this point can lead to a serious injury or even to falling into the septic tank.
Once the septic tank cover has been removed, we can observe that the level of sewage in the tank is at a normal level (Second photo ). Low sewage level in an in-use system would indicate a leaky or damaged septic tank.
Before starting tank pumping, inspect:
- Septic tank area safety check:
The surrounding conditions for safety: are there small children playing nearby? Is there a curious owner inclined to lean over to look into the tank?
Keep people away from open septic tanks - falling in is likely to be fatal. Is there evidence of subsidence at or near the septic tank? If so do not approach the tank without expert assistance. A collapsing septic tank cover could lead to a cave-in and a fatality. - Septic Tank Cover and Access Covers
The condition of the septic tank cover itself and the cover opening for soundness and safety. - Septic Tank Baffles: The condition of the septic tank baffles.
For an explanation of septic tank baffle condition and for notes on how to replace or repair septic tank baffles, see the link: "Baffles: Inspecting the Condition of Septic Tank Baffles" at "More Reading" below. When a septic tank is opened at a center cleanout port the baffles are not easily visible except indirectly by mirror or camera held inside the tank.
- However for this case we opened and inspected the septic tank inlet baffles as shown
in this photo of a concrete septic tank baffle.
The sewage atop the concrete tank baffle suggested that the septic tank had been flooded in the past. We located and corrected the source of water leaking into the tank. In this case the leak was at the inlet pipe to the septic tank where water was collecting by running down the hill into the sewer line trench.
You cannot see all of the baffles before the tank is pumped but inspect the baffle tops for evidence of corrosion, damage, total absence, or of sewage flowing over the baffle top (an indication of excessive in-tank sewage levels).
We sealed the entry to the septic tank with concrete as shown in the second photo of a concrete seal at the sewer line entry to the septic tank.
- Thickness of scum and sludge levels in the septic tank
Septic tank maximum scum and sludge buildup prior to pump out, and instructions for measuring the floating scum layer thickness and settled sludge layer thickness in a septic tank are available in a separate chapter
at MEASURE SEPTIC TANK SCUM & SLUDGE - High sewage level may mean a blocked tank outlet or a failed leach field.
- Low sewage level may mean a tank leak. See our notes below about leaks into septic tanks and leaks out of a septic tank. See Septic Tank Leaks for details about why septic tank leaks are a problem. .
- (See "Levels: Inspecting the Level of Accumulated Solids, Sludge and Floating Scum in Treatment Tanks" link at "More Reading" below.)
...
Continue reading at SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION PROCEDURE or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.
Or see these
Septic Pumping Procedure & Pumper Truck Operation Articles
- SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION PROCEDURE
- SEPTIC TANK PUMPING MISTAKES
- SEPTIC TANK PUMPING PROCEDURE
- CLEANING SEPTIC TANKS
- WHEN to CLEAN THE SEPTIC TANK
- WHEN NOT TO PUMP A SEPTIC TANK
- FIND the SEPTIC TANK, HOW TO
- HOW TO OPEN a SEPTIC TANK
- INSPECT the SEPTIC TANK BEFORE PUMPING
- SEPTIC TANK INSPECTION PROCEDURE
- SEPTIC TANK LEVELS of SEWAGE
- PUMPER TRUCK OPERATION PROCEDURE
- PUMPING the SEPTIC TANK
- RECORD SEPTIC TANK LOCATION
- SEPTIC PUMPING CONCLUSIONS
- SEPTIC TANK PUMPING REASONS
- SEPTIC TANK PUMPING SCHEDULE
- SEPTIC TANK SAFETY
Suggested citation for this web page
INSPECT the SEPTIC TANK BEFORE PUMPING at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.
Or see this
INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to SEPTIC SYSTEMS
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Citations & References
In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.
- New York State Department of Health, APPENDIX 75-A WASTEWATER TREATMENT STANDARDS - INDIVIDUAL HOUSEHOLD SYSTEMS , [PDF] New York State Department of Health, 3 February 2010, retrieved 3/1/2010, original source: https://www.health.ny.gov/regulations/nycrr/title_10/part_75/appendix_75-a.htm
- Special thanks to M & O Sanitation, Dutchess County NY (845) 471-0308 for permitting us to photograph steps during septic system service at our demonstration property.
- The Home Buyer's Guide to Septic Systems
- Septic Tank Pumping Guide: When, Why, How to pump the septic tank
- SEPTIC TANK CAPACITY VS USAGE in Daily Gallons of Wastewater Flow, calculating required septic tank size, calculating septic tank volume from size measurements
- SEPTIC TANK/SOIL-ABSORPTION SYSTEMS: HOW TO OPERATE & MAINTAIN [PDF] - , Equipment Tips, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8271 1302, 7100 Engineering, 2300 Recreation, September 1982, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfimage/82711302.pdf.
- Onsite Wastewater Disposal, R. J. Perkins; Quoting from Amazon: This practical book, co-published with the National Environmental Health Association, describes the step-by-step procedures needed to avoid common pitfalls in septic system technology. Valuable in matching the septic system to the site-specific conditions, this useful book will help you install a reliable system in both suitable and difficult environments. Septic tank installers, planners, state and local regulators, civil and sanitary engineers, consulting engineers, architects, homeowners, academics, and land developers will find this publication valuable.
- Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, Bennette D. Burks, Mary Margaret Minnis, Hogarth House 1994 - one of the best septic system books around, suffering a bit from small fonts and a weak index. While it contains some material more technical than needed by homeowners, Burks/Minnis book on onsite wastewater treatment systems a very useful reference for both property owners and septic system designers.
- Septic Tank/Soil-Absorption Systems: How to Operate & Maintain, Equipment Tips, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 8271 1302, 7100 Engineering, 2300 Recreation, September 1982, web search 08/28/2010, original source: http://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/pubs/pdfimage/82711302.pdf
- Planting Over Septic System Component", Daniel Friedman (author/editor, InspectAPedia.com), The Innovator, Winter/Spring 2008, BCOSSA, British Columbia OnSite Sewage Association, 201-3542 Blansard St., Victoria BC V8X 1W3 Canada
- Septic System Owner's Manual, Lloyd Kahn, Blair Allen, Julie Jones, Shelter Publications, 2000 $14.95 U.S. - easy to understand, well illustrated, one of the best practical references around on septic design basics including some advanced systems; a little short on safety and maintenance. Both new and used (low priced copies are available, and we think the authors are working on an updated edition--DF. Quoting from one of several Amazon reviews: The basics of septic systems, from underground systems and failures to what the owner can do to promote and maintain a healthy system, is revealed in an excellent guide essential for any who reside on a septic system. Rural residents receive a primer on not only the basics; but how to conduct period inspections and what to do when things go wrong. History also figures into the fine coverage.
- Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook, R. Dodge Woodson. This book is in the upper price range, but is worth the cost for serious septic installers and designers.
Quoting Amazon: Each year, thousands upon thousands of Americans install water wells and septic systems on their properties. But with a maze of codes governing their use along with a host of design requirements that ensure their functionality where can someone turn for comprehensive, one-stop guidance? Enter the Water Wells and Septic Systems Handbook from McGraw-Hill.
Written in language any property owner can understand yet detailed enough for professionals and technical students this easy-to-use volume delivers the latest techniques and code requirements for designing, building, rehabilitating, and maintaining private water wells and septic systems. Bolstered by a wealth of informative charts, tables, and illustrations, this book delivers:
* Current construction, maintenance, and repair methods
* New International Private Sewage Disposal Code
* Up-to-date standards from the American Water Works Association - Wells and Septic System, Alth, Max and Charlet, Rev. by S. Blackwell Duncan, $ 18.95; Tab Books 1992. We have found this text very useful for conventional well and septic systems design and maintenance --DF. Quoting an Amazon description:Here's all the information you need to build a well or septic system yourself - and save a lot of time, money, and frustration. S. Blackwell Duncan has thoroughly revised and updated this second edition of Wells and Septic Systems to conform to current codes and requirements. He also has expanded this national bestseller to include new material on well and septic installation, water storage and distribution, water treatment, ecological considerations, and septic systems for problem building sites.
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-161, Septic System Failure: Diagnosis and Treatment
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-162, The Soil Media and the Percolation Test
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-l64, Mound Systems for Wastewater Treatment
- Pennsylvania State Wastewater Treatment Fact Sheet SW-165, Septic Tank-Soil Absorption Systems
- Document Sources used for this web page include but are not limited to: Agricultural Fact Sheet #SW-161 "Septic Tank Pumping," by Paul D. Robillard and Kelli S. Martin. Penn State College of Agriculture - Cooperative Extension, edited and annotated by Dan Friedman (Thanks: to Bob Mackey for proofreading the original source material.)
- "International Private Sewage Disposal Code," 1995, BOCA-708-799-2300, ICBO-310-699-0541, SBCCI 205-591-1853, available from those code associations.
- "Manual of Policy, Procedures, and Guidelines for Onsite Sewage Systems," Ontario Reg. 374/81, Part VII of the Environmental Protection Act (Canada), ISBN 0-7743-7303-2, Ministry of the Environment,135 St. Clair Ave. West, Toronto Ontario M4V 1P5 Canada $24. CDN.
- Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies, Anish R. Jantrania, Mark A. Gross. Anish Jantrania, Ph.D., P.E., M.B.A., is a Consulting Engineer, in Mechanicsville VA, 804-550-0389 (2006). Outstanding technical reference especially on alternative septic system design alternatives. Written for designers and engineers, this book is not at all easy going for homeowners but is a text I recommend for professionals--DF.
- In addition to citations & references found in this article, see the research citations given at the end of the related articles found at our suggested
CONTINUE READING or RECOMMENDED ARTICLES.
- Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. Tel: (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 Email: info@carsondunlop.com. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors.
Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The HOME REFERENCE BOOK - the Encyclopedia of Homes and to use illustrations from The ILLUSTRATED HOME .
Carson Dunlop Associates provides extensive home inspection education and report writing material. In gratitude we provide links to tsome Carson Dunlop Associates products and services.
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