Septic System Inspection

Septic tank should be pumped every 3-5 years. Drain field should have no standing water, odors, or lush grass patches.

1. Ask for pumping records — should be pumped every 3-5 years

2. Locate the septic tank and drain field (ask for as-built drawings)

3. Walk the drain field — look for standing water, soggy ground, or sewage surfacing

4. Check for unusually lush or green grass over drain field (indicates effluent surfacing)

5. Sniff test — any sewage odors outside or inside the house?

6. Check interior drains — slow drains throughout house may indicate septic problems

7. Verify tank access covers are secure and at grade level

8. Check that no vehicles park or drive over the drain field

9. Verify no trees planted near drain field (roots clog pipes)

- Tank not pumped (solids overflow into drain field — destroys it)

- Standing water over drain field (field is failing — major expense)

- Sewage odors (system not functioning properly)

- Slow drains in house (tank full or drain field failing)

- Trees near drain field (roots invade pipes)

- Driving or parking on drain field (compacts soil, crushes pipes)

- Unknown tank and field location (can't maintain what you can't find)