Private Septic Systems Independently owned and operated

Overview All septic systems will eventually fail Inspector conducts a visual inspection of septic system and drain field Size of system is based on size of house Look for evidence of back-up, seepage, excessive surface water at tank location and drain field Check for proper separation distances (varies from area to area) Determine type of system Determine whether a riser is present and if one is needed Inspector can conduct dye tests Inspector does NOT do formal code inspection, excavate tank or drain field Inspector does NOT give cost estimates for repairs Inspector refers and defers recommendations for repairs to qualified contractors

Septic System Layout Size of tank and drain field are based on size of house. For a three-bedroom home the tank size holds approximately 1,000 gallons Tanks are typically made of concrete; the drain field pipe is typically perforated PVC

Septic System Layout Separation distances must be maintained from house and natural groundwater sources Separation distances must be maintained for a private well system

Mound Septic Systems Drain field is buried in mound above normal grade level These systems are installed in areas where standard drain field systems cannot be installed due to poor soil conditions or high water tables Incorporate a “dosing” tank or lift station

Septic System With Dosing/Lift Station

Dosing Chamber A dosing chamber, equipped with either an electrical pump or siphon, stores effluent from the septic tank and periodically discharges it under pressure into the absorption area Used with all elevated sand mounds, in systems where the absorption area is at a higher elevation than the septic and in other situations where pressurized distribution is desired The manhole access port of a dosing chamber is always at or slightly above grade

Septic System Maintenance It is recommended for proper maintenance that a septic tank be every three years pumped to remove the sludge layer, depending upon load occupancy Types of inspections: Visual Noninvasive Invasive Hydraulic loading

Visual, Noninvasive Septic Inspection What is typically done by home inspector: Location of septic tank and drain field (leach field) determined No digging or excavating is done; Only removable or readily accessible caps, covers or lids Checks minimum separation distances Flushes and inspects toilets for function Runs water for approximately one hour, 50 gallons per bedroom plus an additional 50 gallons Checks system for back-up and seepage at the drain field Inspects plumbing for proper connections to ensure that waste water discharges into the system Sand mounds and systems with dosing pumps: Tests the pumps and alarms Dye tests not used unless suspected seepage or close to stream or pond Perc tests may be performed to determine absorption capability of the drain field

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