Our Home Inspectors Work for YOU
You might not like to think about your septic system, which is understandable. After all, it’s kinda gross.
However, someone must think about it to make sure it’s working the way you need it to! At A-Action Realty Inspection Services, we can help with that. Like other systems in your home, septic systems need to be inspected and maintained on a regular basis. Your septic system should be pumped every three to five years and should be done by professionals with extensive experience.
If you are purchasing a home or building with a septic system, it is important to have it thoroughly inspected to make sure the maintenance has been kept up and that there are no defects or failures in the system.
An improperly working system or a poorly maintained system is an environmental concern and a known health hazard.
Finding the problems up front during a real estate transaction gives you negotiating power to get them repaired before you take procession of the property and those problems become yours.
If you are purchasing a home or building with a septic system, make sure you request that the septic system inspection is added to the home or property inspection. The inspection fee is nominal compared to the cost of repairs often discovered during the inspection.
Inspection Protocols Used
Inspector Credential
- National Association of Wastewater Technicians - NAWT Standards of Practice for Septic System Assessment
- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for Septic System Installation and Assessment
- Certified by National Association of Wastewater Technicians - NAWT
- Licensed Professional Septic Inspector
A septic inspection is vital for the health of all the family members living in your house and so that owners must ensure that septic systems are inspected regularly. However, because these systems are installed beneath the ground, most people forget about them until something goes wrong.
However, if something does go wrong, you will regret not having had septic inspectors check your system on a regular basis.
It isn’t only when you are looking to buy a home that septic inspections are needed. A septic tank inspection should be done throughout the time you own the home. Otherwise, you could find an expensive repair bill waiting for you for this vital system in your home.
Other questions to ask should include if there has been any standing water near or above the tank, and problems with backups. Also, find out about any repairs that have been made to the tank and when.
You will want to hire a septic inspector to really make sure the system is functioning correctly. Spending the money on this type of inspection should ensure you don’t get surprised by a large bill soon after you’ve moved in.
Septic tanks are used to deal with all the wastewater from the home. This includes water from sinks, bathtubs, showers, toilets, as well as appliances. As mentioned previously, this water is filtered through what’s known as a leach field and returned to the ground.
Septic systems minimize the chances of water and soil pollution when they are working correctly.
Maintenance Tips
Basic rule of thumb that is easy to remember is, “If it was not consumed and passed by you, it should not go into the septic system”.
- Only bath tissue can be flushed down the toilet. Tampons, paper towels, cigarette butts, and diapers should be put in the trash. Household chemicals such as gasoline, paint, medication, antifreeze, and pesticides can damage bacteria in the septic system and should never be flushed or dumped down the sink. Detergents and bleach can enter the plumbing system in moderate amounts.
- Cars should not be driven on or near the drain field. Their weight can unknowingly damage subterranean piping.
- Only grass should be planted above the septic tank and drain field. Roots from trees and large shrubs can cause unseen damage.
- No one should ever dig or build on top of the drain field.
- All water drainage from rainwater, sump pumps, or any surface water should be diverted away from the drain field. An over-saturated drain field can retard the water treatment process and cause plumbing fixtures to back up.
- An easy way to prolong a septic system’s life and prevent a very costly replacement is to fix leaky faucets and toilets immediately. Any household water waste should be avoided.
- Not having or using the garbage disposal is a way to lengthen the system's life expectancy.
Symptoms of Problems With Your Septic System
There are a few things that indicate your system needs some money spent on it to keep it working.
Puddles
If you find that puddles develop above your septic system or drain field, this can be an indication of a blockage or worse. This puddle could be wastewater, so make sure your family stays away from it. An inspector will be able to tell you if it is a problem with the system and what will need to be repaired.
Green Grass
If the grass is greener over the septic system than elsewhere in your yard, it could be a sign of problems. If the drain field or the tank, isn’t working as intended, it could result in more water entering the ground.
While this might be something your plants and grass benefit from, it isn’t good for people and is an indication of repairs being needed.
Plumbing Backups
If the water doesn’t drain away as it should, it could be caused by a blockage which might be a simple fix, or something worse. It could be a sign that the tank needs replacement, and your septic inspectors will find the answer.
Strong Septic Tank Odors
If there is an awful odor in your yard it goes without saying that the cause could be related to your septic system. A septic inspection will be able to assess if the strong odors you smell are coming from the system or not.
Texas A&M AgriFife Extension has lots of great material for you to better understand your Septic System and proper maintenance of your system. https://ossf.tamu.edu/educational-materials-2/