If you’ve ever wondered why it’s so important to inspect a septic system before selling or buying a home, this article is for you. It’s a crucial process that is often overlooked but can save you from a lot of headaches down the line.
Why Are Septic Inspections Important?
Septic inspections are essential for your health and the health of everyone else who lives in your house, so homeowners should schedule them regularly. Because septic systems are located underground, they are frequently overlooked by homeowners—that is, until something goes wrong.
This is why before purchasing a home, most buyers hire a structural engineer or an inspector to do an examination. The inspection will almost always include a visual assessment of the house’s structure and a search for pests. One of the most critical aspects of the house examination is the septic inspection, which can be difficult due to its location.
But before diving into anything else, let’s have a deeper understanding of what a septic system is. You’d be surprised that most people don’t know what and where they are. They often only know this when they encounter problems with their sink or drains not flowing properly.
What Is a Septic System, Anyway?
A septic system collects and discharges all of your wastewater drains into the ground. The system collects wastewater from sinks, washers, toilets, and showers.
Typically, septic tanks are dug up on the ground near your toilets. You might have trouble finding it, so use your building plan as a guide. However, you can always look for the septic tank maintenance hole to locate a septic tank.
How Is a Septic System Inspected?
Septic inspectors will inspect your septic system in two ways.
1 – Full Inspections
During full inspections, inspectors will run water through the house to confirm that the water is flowing properly. The inspector may perform a dye test to detect how much of the drained water enters the system during this examination stage.
Every three to five years, this inspection should be carried out. The water level can tell you if the water is draining properly or not. After that, the septic tank will be pumped, and the inspector will look for backflow from the absorption area.
2 – Visual Inspections
The inspector will flush all toilets and run all the residences to ensure adequate water pressure and good drainage. Additionally, the inspector will evaluate the drain field for standing water, which could indicate the presence of a cesspool.
While a visual examination is convenient and quick, a full inspection can reveal the actual condition of the septic system. When purchasing or selling a property, a home inspector will often conduct a visual inspection.
Conclusion
A private residential septic system can cause plenty of problems when homeowners ignore it. While most systems continue to function regularly for many years, it is always good to check the system before a sale.
If properly maintained, septic systems are incredibly efficient. Get regular, professional septic inspections and pump your septic system regularly to do your homework. Avoid flushing non-biodegradable or dangerous materials down the drain to keep it clean.
When it comes to structural engineering and home inspections in Tulsa, AEI Inspections is the go-to company. Our licensed professional engineers are available to help you with residential and commercial property inspections, structural design, and forensic structural engineering investigations. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to learn more about the services we offer!
