1. Introduction

Whether you’re a residential client or a commercial property-owner, if you don’t have access to a municipal sewer system, you should take good care of your septic system. From disposing of household waste to keeping the surrounding ecosystem from getting polluted, your septic systems are the silent heroes that require routine inspections to function efficiently. From understanding the frequency of septic system inspections to realizing the benefits and more, this article is here to help you understand how routine inspections can keep your system healthy and efficient for a long time.

2. Septic System Inspections: The Cost Of Neglect

Thinking about our septic systems isn’t something most property owners actively do. After all, out of sight, out of mind, right? But the true price of this oversight can be clogs, sewage back-up, and costly repairs.

Let’s take a look at a few issues that occur due to skipping septic system inspections.

• Over-Filled Tanks

Ideally, a septic tank should be pumped if the waste reaches over 1/3 of its total volume. If the tank is filled more than that, chances are that it’ll lead to other issues like clogs and back-ups, which can cost thousands of dollars to repair. Booking routine inspections means that your septic system inspectors will be able to monitor the volume of waste and empty out your tank in time. 

• Clogged Filters

Yet another problem that can be avoided through routine inspections is clogged filters. Without checking and cleaning the filters in your system, they can become plugged with solid waste, leading to inefficient performance and possible sewage backups. You can even smell something nasty from your drains when that happens. Reliable inspectors assess the condition of the filters during routine assessments, cleaning them and keeping your systems working efficiently.

• Broken Pipes & Possible Flooding

Having broken or leaking pipes can lead to serious property damage, flooding your yard, contaminating groundwater, and even leading to foundation damage. When your septic system inspectors assess your systems, they are able to identify any compromised pipes immediately, leading to immediate repairs that could cost about $2000 instead of major breakdowns that could result in $20,000 or more.

• Tree Root Invasion

Finally, through a septic system inspection, you can also know if your pipes or the tank itself have been compromised. If there are any trees planted too close to your system, chances are that the roots will have made their way to the septic system. Removing these invasive roots can cost you anywhere from $6000 to $16,000. A routine inspection will prevent further damage from clogs and leaks, potentially saving tens of thousands of dollars in large-scale replacements. 

3. Assessing A Septic System: From Inspection To Maintenance

With us so far? Great! Now that you know how routine septic system inspection prevents failure, it’s time to understand what exactly goes on during the septic system inspection. From cleaning to repairs to everything else in between, here’s how a septic system inspection goes: 

• Finding Potential Access Points and Drainage Field Location
• conducting Visual Tests
• running loading and dye tests to find potential leaks or system failures
• providing detailed reports
• fixing compromised pipes and performing septic tank pumping

4. Scheduling Septic System Inspections: When & Why

Depending on several factors, different septic systems require varying frequencies of inspection services. If you’re wondering how often you should set up a septic system inspection for your unit to keep it working efficiently, here’s how to decide:

• Traditional septic systems: These are usually pretty low-maintenance, only requiring an inspection service once every three years.
• Alternative septic systems: These are a bit tricky. Depending on the type of system, you should have an annual septic system inspection. This is due to the numerous mechanical components in the system.
• Commercial septic system: Since commercial systems see a lot of use, having a routine inspection at least once a year is recommended. Possibly twice annually, if it’s a restaurant.
• Households: if it’s a small household, you can get away with an inspection every three years. However, if you have a family of five or more, scheduling yearly inspections is advisable.

5. Conclusion

To conclude, keeping up with routine septic system inspections is the only way to prevent system failures. Licensed and experienced septic system inspectors are able to identify issues like leaky pipes, potential overfilled tanks, and clogged filters on time, preventing sewage back-ups, foundation damage, localized flooding, and more. We hope this article helped you understand the role inspections play in septic system performance. For any more questions, feel free to ask! 

FAQs

How long does a septic system inspection take?

Depending on ease of access and the type of system you have, inspections typically take 2-4 hours.

How much does a septic system inspection cost?

Depending on the type of inspection, your location, and the size of your system, inspections can cost you somewhere in the neighborhood of $200-$900. 

Can I inspect my septic system myself?

Always leave inspections to licensed professionals, as only they have the safety gear, expertise, and knowledge to assess your systems effectively and safely.