How Often Should I Get My Septic System Inspected?

Despite the rise in septic tanks in residential homes in the US, many people still don't know much about them. They don't know, for instance, that the septic tanks need to be professionally inspected every four years and routine maintainable carried, a bit like a boiler. In this post we look at the inspection process for septic tanks.


What is a Septic System?

There is a growing number of people in the US with septic tanks for their homes, surprisingly, however, there is a distinct lack of knowledge about what they are and how they work. Septic tank solutions are similar to a local sewage treatment plant especially for your home. They are also far more environmentally friendly.


A septic tank will receive all of the wastewater from your home. This means the waste water coming from your sinks, showers, washing machine, and toilets. The waste is treated in a septic tank and transferred to a drainage field via a distribution box. Overall the system is efficient and very green.


How Often Should it be Inspected?

Although his sewage treatment option is more green and less costly, it also requires more maintenance. The system will have to be inspected and pumped periodically to prevent blockages and build ups that could be hazardous to your health or the environment. Typically inspected tion takes place every four years around the time it's pumped.


Despite the need for inspection and maintenance every four years many people wait much longer than this before attention is paid to their septic tank. Some people wait five years and others until something goes wrong. This is not only dangerous  it increases the likelihood of replacement rather than repair.


The Forms of Inspection

There are typically two forms of septic tank inspection. There are visual inspections and full inspections. During a visual inspection the inspector will ask some general questions about the house and the systems. When was the last time it was inspected and are there any issues. They would then test the toilets and examine the drain field.


With a full inspection the system gets everything used in a visual inspection, but the inspector goes much further and examines the internal workings of the septic tank system. This is the type of inspection you want carried out every four years by a External link opens in new tab or windowSeptic company in Montgomery County TX. The inspector will uncover the lid of the septic tank and check the distribution box. They will retest the leech field.


What Does an Inspection Cost?

The cost of a septic tank inspection varies. It varies depending on the size of tank you have and the condition and operation of the system. For a routine four year septic tank inspection you might expect to pay between $300 and $600 for a 1,000-1,500 gallon tank. You might be able to obtain a discount for local health inspection.


When looking for an inspector for your septic tank keep in mind that some states don't require a licence to inspect a septic tank. In some ways this is beneficial, it reduces the cost or inspection, but you also run the risk of paying someone who doesn't understand the quality standard of the tank and system.