Septic inspection and servicing are essential for ensuring that your system operates efficiently for the longest time. If you’re buying a new home, you might want to hire a septic inspector to ensure everything is working correctly. Proper and timely inspections are crucial for your family’s health and safety.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends inspecting your septic every three years. Septic systems with electrical pumps, float switches, and other mechanical components should be inspected more often — at least once every year. Here’s a quick overview of what you should know about septic system inspection in Prior Lake, MN.
How Septic System Inspection Works
The septic system is complicated. That means it’s almost impossible to accurately inspect your septic tank yourself. Full inspection requires experienced septic service professionals, and pumping may be required in most cases. Understanding the process can be more daunting if you have never organized an inspection before, as you might not know what to expect.
During the inspection, your septic tank professional will examine the septic tank, the leach field, and the distribution box. They will need to remove the heavy lid of the tank to check the water level to make sure it is flowing smoothly and there are no leaks. They will also need to check the sludge level in the tank to determine whether your tank requires pumping or not.
Types of Septic System Inspections
There are two major types of septic system inspections:
Visual Inspection
Visual inspections are mainly conducted when selling or buying a home. The process typically involves asking questions such as when the last inspection was done, how old the house is, and how often the owner pumps the septic system. The inspector can also flush the toilet, run all taps in the house, and ensure the water pressure is running as required. Finally, the inspector will check the drain field to ensure no standing water.
Full Inspection
Full inspections include visual inspections with the addition of removing the septic tank lid and checking the water level. The inspector will also run the water to ensure it flows correctly and use a dye test to check how much of the dye enters the septic tank. They will also pump the septic tank. The inspection process is repeated to ensure the septic system runs smoothly without blockages.
Septic System Inspection When Buying a Home: How to Spot Problems
When buying a home, you don’t need to be an expert to notice problems with the house’s septic systems. Here are a few indicators that your new home could be having septic problems.
- Green grass: If the grass is greener over the septic system than any other area in the yard, you could be having septic problems. This could mean that water is leaking and entering the ground, which can be hazardous.
- Puddles: The development of puddles indicates a blockage or something worse.
- Strong septic odors: If you smell a strong odor in your backyard even without opening the septic tank, consider calling in an inspector to check the septic as soon as possible, as this could indicate the sludge level is either higher than usual or blockage.
Looking for septic tank inspection in Prior Lake, MN? Mike’s Septic & Mckinley Sewer Services is here to help fix all your septic system needs. Call us at (952) 440-1800 to schedule an appointment or fill out our contact form, and we will be happy to get back to you.