Home Inspection For SE Michigan, Northwest Ohio, Toledo Ohio
  • Home
  • Services
    • Well Inspections
    • Residential Inspection
    • Commercial Inspection
    • Infared/Thermal Imaging
    • Radon Testing
    • Mold Inspections
    • Septic Inspections
    • Pest Inspections
    • Water Quality Testing
    • Structural Inspections
    • Sewer Scope
    • Manufactured Home Certs
    • Home Binder
  • Areas Served
  • Schedule
  • Reviews
  • Contact
  • Blog

Septic System Inspections

2/7/2017

52 Comments

 
Picture
Septic systems treat and disperse relatively small volumes of wastewater from individual and small numbers of homes and commercial buildings. Septic system regulation is usually a state and local responsibility. The EPA provides information to homeowners and assistance to state and local governments to improve the management of septic systems to prevent failures that could harm human health and water quality.   

Information for Homeowners:
​
If your septic tank failed, or you know someone whose did, you are not alone. As a homeowner, you are responsible for maintaining your septic system. Proper septic system maintenance will help keep your system from failing and will help maintain your investment in your home. Failing septic systems can contaminate the ground water that you and your neighbors drink and can pollute nearby rivers, lakes and coastal waters.
 Ten simple steps you can take to keep your septic system working properly:
  1. Locate your septic tank and drainfield. Keep a drawing of these locations in your records.
  2. Have your septic system inspected at least every three years. Hire an InterNACHI inspector trained in septic inspections. 
  3. Pump your septic tank as needed (generally, every three to five years).
  4. Don't dispose of household hazardous waste in sinks or toilets.
  5. Keep other household items, such as dental floss, feminine hygiene products, condoms, diapers, and cat litter out of your system.
  6. Use water efficiently.
  7. Plant only grass over and near your septic system. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs might clog and damage the system. Also, do not apply manure or fertilizers over the drainfield.
  8. Keep vehicles and livestock off your septic system. The weight can damage the pipes and tank, and your system may not drain properly under compacted soil.
  9. Keep gutters and basement sump pumps from draining into or near your septic system.
  10. Check with your local health department before using additives. Commercial septic tank additives do not eliminate the need for periodic pumping and can be harmful to your system.
How does it work? 
 
A typical septic system has four main components: a pipe from the home, a septic tank, a  drainfield, and the soil. Microbes in the soil digest and remove most contaminants from wastewater before it eventually reaches groundwater. The septic tank is a buried, watertight container typically made of concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene. It holds the wastewater long enough to allow solids to settle out (forming sludge), and oil and grease to float to the surface (as scum). It also allows partial decomposition of the solid materials. Compartments and a T-shaped outlet in the septic tank prevent the sludge and scum from leaving the tank and traveling into the drainfield area. Screens are also recommended to keep solids from entering the drainfield. The wastewater exits the septic tank and is discharged into the drainfield for further treatment by the soil. Micro-organisms in the soil provide final treatment by removing harmful bacteria, viruses and nutrients.
 Your septic system is your responsibility!
Did you know that, as a homeowner, you’re responsible for maintaining your septic system? Did you know that maintaining your septic system protects your investment in your home? Did you know that you should periodically inspect your system and pump out your septic tank? If properly designed, constructed and maintained, your septic system can provide long-term, effective treatment of household wastewater. If your septic system isn’t maintained, you might need to replace it, costing you thousands of dollars. A malfunctioning system can contaminate groundwater that might be a source of drinking water. And if you sell your home, your septic system must be in good working order.
 
Pump frequently...
You should have your septic system inspected at least every three years by a professional, and have your tank pumped as necessary (generally every three to five years).
 
Use water efficiently...
Average indoor water use in the typical single-family home is almost 70 gallons per person per day. Dripping faucets can waste about 2,000 gallons of water each year. Leaky toilets can waste as much as 200 gallons each day. The more water a household conserves, the less water enters the septic system.
 
Flush responsibly... 
Dental floss, feminine hygiene products, condoms, diapers, cotton swabs, cigarette butts, coffee grounds, cat litter, paper towels, and other kitchen and bathroom waste can clog and potentially damage septic system components. Flushing household chemicals, gasoline, oil, pesticides, anti-freeze and paint can stress or destroy the biological treatment taking place in the system, as well as contaminate surface waters and groundwater.
 
How do I maintain my septic system?
  • Plant only grass over and near your septic system. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs might clog and damage the drainfield.
  • Don’t drive or park vehicles on any part of your septic system. Doing so can compact the soil in your drainfield or damage the pipes, the tank or other septic system components.
  • Keep roof drains, basement sump pump drains, and other rainwater and surface water drainage systems away from the drainfield. Flooding the drainfield with excessive water slows down or stops treatment processes and can cause plumbing fixtures to back up. 
Why should I maintain my septic system?
 
A key reason to maintain your septic system is to save money! Failing septic systems are expensive to repair or replace, and poor maintenance is often the culprit. Having your septic system inspected (at least every three years) is a bargain when you consider the cost of replacing the entire system. Your system will need pumping every three to five years, depending on how many people live in the house and the size of the system. An unusable septic system or one in disrepair will lower your property’s value and could pose a legal liability. Other good reasons for safe treatment of sewage include preventing the spread of infection and disease, and protecting water resources. Typical pollutants in household wastewater are nitrogen phosphorus, and disease-causing bacteria and viruses. Nitrogen and phosphorus are aquatic plant nutrients that can cause unsightly algae blooms. Excessive nitrate-nitrogen in drinking water can cause pregnancy complications, as well as methemoglobinemia (also known as "blue baby syndrome") in infancy. Pathogens can cause communicable diseases through direct or indirect body contact, or ingestion of contaminated water or shellfish. If a septic system is working properly, it will effectively remove most of these pollutants.
52 Comments
Tiffany Locke link
5/10/2017 11:49:40 pm

Periodically pumping your septic tank and having it inspected is excellent advice. If you keep it in good condition, it could help it last longer and prevent unwanted problems. In order to get it done properly, you'd probably want to find a company that specializes in residential septic tank inspections so they'll know how to work with your system.

Reply
Thomas Pindall link
7/25/2017 10:54:59 am

Thank you for the tips on keeping a septic tank in top condition, and how to maintain it. I found it interesting when you said that it's important to have the septic tank inspected and pumped every three years to check for any problems that may arise in the interior. By having a regular schedule to septic tank inspections, any problems that may arise can be caught early and be dealt with before it becomes an expensive disaster.

Reply
Kylie Dotts link
8/10/2017 09:28:12 am

It's interesting how you recommended having your septic tank inspected at least every three years. There's a lot of sense in making sure that things are working well and that there aren't any cracks of blockages that could end up causing a flood. It would be pretty important to do the same thing if you had a well nearby because it could also lead to a flood in your basement.

Reply
Marcus link
10/12/2017 06:21:41 pm

I had no idea that you should not flush dental floss in your septic tank. It is important to remember that taking the time to understand this can help you find the best way to keep your tank in proper working order. We are planning on moving to a house that has a septic tank and we wanted to know how to properly care for it, so I'm glad I found your post.

Reply
Max Jones link
10/13/2017 11:46:48 am

I'm glad that you talked about how you should pump frequently when you have a septic tank, and I think that's something that my wife and I should look into. I think that finding some professional septic tank services come to our house would be good, as you also mentioned that we should have someone inspect things for us every three years. I'm going to have to see if we can find some professional septic tank services, and get them out to our home to check on our tank for us! Thanks for the help!

Reply
Jack Titchener link
10/26/2017 09:15:31 pm

Great job pointing out what not to flush down the toilet. I personally am guilty of throwing floss in just because I didn't think it made any difference. I can see how doing it for months at a time though can cause a build up.

Reply
Michael Robinson link
10/30/2017 03:28:30 pm

Thanks for all the great ideas on how to better inspect your septic tank. My family and I just moved into a new home and we have no idea on how to know how full it really is. With that being said, I will make sure to keep in mind to clear it out every two to five years. Thanks again!

Reply
Kyle Wayne link
12/6/2017 06:56:22 pm

I never took into account the fact that weight on your tank can cause a lot of damage. My dad is looking to hire septic tank services to get one installed in his backyard. I think I'll talk to him about making sure he keeps weight off of it.

Reply
Oscar link
1/29/2018 03:24:28 pm

I like that you mentioned that you should have your septic system inspected at least every three years by a professional. My wife and I are moving into a home that has a septic system, and neither of us knows how to maintain or care for it yet. Having a professional come and inspect and and show us what we should be doing would be great.

Reply
Todd Stauffer link
1/30/2018 12:05:19 pm

It's interesting how you said that the soil itself will help to get rid of contaminants from the wastewater. I guess it would be pretty important to ensure that you had the ability to get that wastewater where it needs to go in order to keep it working properly. Having someone come and inspect your septic sytem would be important to keeping things working well.

Reply
bon cau toilet bi nghet link
2/22/2018 11:57:38 am

Thank you for the tips on keeping a septic tank in top condition, and how to maintain it.

Reply
Ashley Maxwell link
3/16/2018 09:52:28 am

I really like how you said that a septic system must be taken care of locally. I think it's interesting how you said that they should be managed and cleaned regularly. My husband and I are looking into contractors to insect and clean our septic system when needed.

Reply
Gary Puntman link
3/23/2018 11:58:04 am

I just moved into a home with a septic system. I need all the tips I can get so I know how to properly maintain it and make sure it's working correctly. I'm glad I now know that I shouldn't cover it with any trees or shrubs because it could clog the drains.

Reply
Burt Silver link
4/23/2018 01:14:01 pm

It's good to know that there are different components of a septic system and where there could be a failure point. I'll have to keep that point in mind with my septic system. Our septic system has been having issues so I'll have to see what the cause is and if I can't figure it out probably call up a professional that can help me point out the area of failure.

Reply
sutton link
5/30/2018 10:22:56 am

I like how you suggested keeping a drawing of where your septic system locations are in your home. We had to get our septic system serviced last summer. Thank you for the tips for getting your system inspected.

Reply
Kenneth Gladman link
7/27/2018 08:00:58 pm

I didn't realize that floss shouldn't be flushed down the toilet. I have gotten into a bad habit of throwing my floss down the toilet when I am getting ready for bed. Maybe it is time to get a septic inspection to make sure there isn't an issue.

Reply
Joy Butler link
8/7/2018 02:43:28 am

My brother is having a problem with their septic tank. He told me that they need to use a lot of water before flushing it. I suggested that he should ask for a professional to look after it before the damage gets worst.

Reply
Rachel Frampton link
8/8/2018 01:23:55 pm

Thanks for the great advice on doing septic system inspections. I appreciate your suggestion that homeowner should be responsible for their septic tank because backed up tanks can cause contamination to the groundwater and pollute the water for your home and your neighbors. This sounds awful and is a great reason to make sure your tank doesn't fail.

Reply
Mark Murphy link
8/31/2018 10:26:10 am

I really appreciate your tip to avoid letting your sump pump drain into your septic tank. My wife and I recently moved out into a very rural area. I will be sure to check out sump pump as soon as possible!

Reply
Ridley link
1/14/2019 09:56:19 pm

It's good to know more about septic system inspections. I had no idea that we should have the tank looked at every three years or so. We just recently moved into a new home that has a septic system and tank, so this is great to know. It hasn't been three years yet, but it's close.

Reply
kate hansen link
9/11/2019 01:32:34 pm

I never knew that you should have your septic system inspected every 3 years! My husband and I were talking last week and we decided that we wanted to have one installed and we were wanting to know how to maintain one. Thank you for these tips about septic system inspections!

Reply
Greta James link
1/27/2020 09:24:31 pm

Thank you so much for your advice to use less water by stopping leaks and to make sure that you do not put anything down the drain that could damage the bacteria. About a week ago, I was talking to my sister, and she mentioned that she is thinking of moving out to the countryside where they would need a septic system. I wonder if they should look for repair services they could trust fr when things need to be worked on on the septic system.

Reply
rachel frampton link
2/4/2020 04:47:04 pm

My toilets at home are not flushing, and I've been thinking that maybe, the septic tank has something to do with this. I'll keep in mind to keep dental floss, feminine hygiene products, condoms, and diapers out of the system. I hope this helps, but even if it does, I'd still look for a septic tank service that can run a thorough inspection of my tank.

Reply
Ron Booker link
2/11/2020 04:35:06 pm

I'm glad that you talked about how you should pump frequently when you have a septic tank, and I think that's something that my wife and I should look into. I think that finding some professional septic tank services come to our house would be good, as you also mentioned that we should have someone inspect things for us every three years. I'm going to have to see if we can find some professional septic tank services and get them out to our home to check on our tank for us.

Reply
rachel frampton link
6/21/2020 08:34:47 pm

I have been planning to have my septic tank inspected because my toilets are clogged, and I'm thinking that maybe it's because of the tank. Since I am not an expert in this, I never knew that microorganisms in the soil will provide treatment, which can help get rid of bacteria and viruses. I guess you also have a point that a properly maintained tank will offer me an effective treatment for my household wastewater.

Reply
ellie davis link
6/29/2020 12:39:22 pm

I loved that you mentioned you need to pump out your septic system at least every three years to prevent future problems. My husband and I are thinking about how to keep the septic system in our new house in good shape, and we are looking for advice. I will let him know about your recommendations to choose the right septic tank professional to help us.

Reply
Bob Newton link
7/15/2020 01:49:20 pm

It's valuable that you point out that having your septic tank pumped regularly can help keep it from failing. I want to make sure that my septic tank keeps working, so I'm considering hiring a professional to pump it this week. I'm going look in my area for a good provider of septic pumping services to hire.

Reply
Jonathan Hansen link
8/26/2020 02:34:29 pm

It's valuable that you mention that septic tanks need to be pumped every few years in order to keep working correctly. I want to make sure that my septic tank continues to function, so I'm thinking about hiring someone to pump it next month. I'm going to look for a good provider of septic tank pumping services in my area to employ.

Reply
Chris Pederson link
9/22/2020 02:57:38 pm

I had no idea that septic tank maintenance was the homeowner's job. My wife and I are thinking about getting a house but they told us it has a septic tank. I figured the city handled it but we should still be able to take care of it if we end up getting the house.

Reply
Joe link
11/3/2020 03:09:46 am

This is good one I appreciate your tips with best knowledge about the septic systems. I am plumber i would love to learn new things all the time! Septic system inspection is the bit difficult task for me but after reading these great content i have best choice to work on septic.

Reply
Fred Gibbons link
11/3/2020 03:55:47 pm

Thank you for mentioning that it's important to have your septic tank pumped regularly to keep it in good condition. I want to keep my septic tank functioning optimally, so I'm thinking about hiring someone to pump it soon. I'm going to look for a good business in my area that offers septic tank pumping services.

Reply
Zoe Campos link
11/30/2020 01:47:25 am

I wasn't aware that I need to have my septic system inspected at least once every three years. We moved into this rental property with a private septic system and we've never checked it since we did. I hope it's not too late to have our tank checked by professionals to see if it needs some cleaning services.

Reply
Chris Pederson link
1/26/2021 08:03:37 pm

I'm glad septic tanks have compartments and outlets that prevent come from leaving it. My dad always told me to get a septic tank for my private property. As long as none of the waste gets out then I'll get one.

Reply
Alec Burns link
2/9/2021 11:29:34 am

It's great that you mention that septic tanks need to be pumped at least every 5 years in order to avoid developing problems. I want my septic tank to keep working properly, so I'm considering having it pumped this year. I'm going to search for a reputable septic tank pumping service in my area to use.

Reply
Alec Burns link
2/19/2021 02:57:47 pm

It's valuable that you point out that it's important to have your septic tank pumped at least every 5 years to keep it working correctly. I want my home's septic tank to work properly, so I'm thinking about having it pumped this year. I'm going to look for a good provider of septic tank pumping services in my area to employ.

Reply
Adam Golightly link
3/18/2021 04:49:30 pm

My uncle has been thinking about getting his septic system inspected in order to make sure that there aren't any problems with it. Getting it maintained by a professional could allow him to prevent any problems from becoming really serious. It was interesting to learn about how he should have it inspected every three years to figure out if it needs to be pumped in order to work normally.

Reply
Larry Weaver link
3/29/2021 03:22:45 pm

Thanks for the info about septic systems. My home's septic system is having some problems. I'll look for a septic service that can help me out.

Reply
Adam Golightly link
4/1/2021 04:50:26 pm

My cousin has been thinking about getting a better pump for her new septic system in order to be a lot safer. She would really like to get one from a professional in order to be more effective. I'll be sure to tell her about how she should get it inspected every three years to make sure that they can use water efficiently

Reply
Kristofer Van Wagner link
4/6/2021 01:02:41 am

You made an interesting point that a regular septic tank inspection is beneficial as it assures us that our tanks are operating efficiently. My dad is planning to have his current septic replaced. I will advise him on the importance of regular maintenance.

Reply
Thomas Clarence link
5/13/2021 03:55:07 pm

It was really helpful when you talked about how proper septic maintenance will keep your entire system from failing. Is there a certain time of year that is best for pumping a septic tank? It seems like you would want to have a tank pumped in spring or summer so that the things that are inside of it aren't frozen.

Reply
Taylor Hicken link
5/19/2021 10:45:12 pm

I appreciated it when you shared that it is important to have your septic tank inspected every 3 years by a professional. My aunt just mentioned the other day that she is worried about the septic tank in her house as it seems to cause some problems lately. I will suggest to her looking for a reliable service that can help inspect and conduct the necessary repairs.

Reply
Adam Golightly link
7/22/2021 03:25:52 pm

My cousin has been thinking about getting a septic system for his home because he wants to be a lot safer. He would really like to get some help from a professional with the right kind of inspection in order to be a lot better. It was interesting to learn about how concrete, fiberglass, and polyethylene can be made with the right thank that should be watertight.

Reply
Ashley Davis link
10/25/2021 05:51:10 pm

A septic inspection is vital for the health of all the family members living in house. A septic system disposes and treats unwanted solids and wastewater from a building. The sludge level decides whether or not the tank must be pumped.

Reply
Tex Hooper link
10/26/2021 07:46:44 pm

I like your septic tips. My tank is full. I need it cleaned.

Reply
Mia Evans link
10/27/2021 02:18:55 am

Thanks for pointing out that we have the responsibility to keep the septic system maintained as a homeowner. With that in mind, I will make sure to have a contract with the septic system installers that I will hire to have a regular cleaning or maintenance for the unit once the house is finished next year. Now, I just need to find the services that I can trust near our area to easily get their services.

Reply
Septic Services link
11/2/2021 02:18:12 am

Very interesting details you have observed, thank you for putting up.

Reply
Mia Evans link
6/10/2022 09:33:45 am

I never took into account the fact that issues with the septic system can contaminate groundwater around us and pollute the nearby waters. With that in mind, it would good idea to hire home septic system inspection services this weekend to check our unit. We have been here for three years now so I think it's about time to get it checked for our safety.

Reply
John Carston link
9/2/2022 12:36:55 am

I love that you talked that it is a local and state responsibility to manage every septic system in their property. I remember when my brother mentioned yesterday that they wanted to have their septic tank inspected due to clogging, and he asked if I had any idea what would be the best option to do. Thanks for helping me understand the septic services, I'll tell him that it will be much better if they consult a trusted septic system inspection service as they can provide more information about the process.

Reply
Adam Golightly link
10/10/2022 04:59:11 pm

My cousin just got a new home that she inherited from her grandmother that she isn't sure how to take care of. She knows that there is a septic system on the property, but wants to know what to do to keep it working properly. I appreciated what you said about how she should have the system inspected every three years, and pumped whenever necessary.

Reply
Eli Richardson link
10/11/2022 12:52:56 pm

My brother moved into another house last month, and he just found out it has a septic tank since it started smelling weird a few days ago. I don't know if my brother knows anything about septic systems and their maintenance needs, so I'll email your article right away. Thank you for describing how often your septic tank needs to be pumped to keep working efficiently.

Reply
Henry Killingsworth link
10/20/2022 05:30:21 pm

I thought you made a good point when you mentioned that it is a good idea to keep a drawing of the locations of your septic tank and drain field. Would it be a good idea to have the location of your drain field marked with some kind of flagging system or something similar? It seems like fencing off your drain field could be a good idea as well.

Reply
Tex Hooper link
11/22/2022 04:50:34 pm

I didn't know that dental floss shouldn't be really flushed. My tank probably has a ton of paper towels and floss in it. I'll have to hire someone to do a tank inspection.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    InsideOut Team   

    This blog is to help people better understand their home inspection. It is filled with great in depth advice. If you'd like a topic covered just send us an email on what you need more information on!

    Archives

    November 2020
    October 2020
    March 2020
    November 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    April 2014

    Categories

    All
    Appliances
    Home Inspection
    Household Features
    Inspection Reasons

    RSS Feed

    Newsletter Sign Up

Submit

InsideOut
Contact
Information

SE MI: 734.224.0342
N MI:
231-714-6880
OH: 419.215.3856

8314 Whiteford Center Rd
Ottawa Lake, MI 
49267

1354 W Bear Lake Rd NE
Kalkaska, MI
​49646
​
Fax: 
734-224-0241

What We Do

Residential Home Inspections
Commercial Inspections
Radon Testing
Water Quality Testing
Septic/Leach Field Inspections
Sewer Scope Inspections
Well Inspections
Pest Inspections
Structural Inspections
Manufactured Home Certifications
Mold Testing
Infrared Inspections
Home Binder

Social Media

© 2021 InsideoutInspections.net. All Rights Reserved.
  • Home
  • Services
    • Well Inspections
    • Residential Inspection
    • Commercial Inspection
    • Infared/Thermal Imaging
    • Radon Testing
    • Mold Inspections
    • Septic Inspections
    • Pest Inspections
    • Water Quality Testing
    • Structural Inspections
    • Sewer Scope
    • Manufactured Home Certs
    • Home Binder
  • Areas Served
  • Schedule
  • Reviews
  • Contact
  • Blog