A septic inspection should be performed whenever you have your septic system cleaned. According to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, septic tanks should be cleaned every three to five years, depending on the size of the household. A thorough septic inspection is a necessary maintenance for any home that depends on a septic system for waste management. Here's what you can expect during your inspection.

Locating the Septic Tank

The first thing that happens during an inspection of your septic is the technician will locate your tank. The technician uses a metal pole to poke around your yard to find the tank. Once the tank has been located, the technician will remove the lid to gain access to the tank. The lid will be inspected for any cracking and chipping. The sod covering the lid will be placed to the side so it can be reinstalled after the inspection.

The Clean Out

For your septic system to be inspected, the tank has to be cleared of any waste. The technician will feed a large vacuum hose into the tank and pump the waste into the truck. This can take about 20 minutes to complete. Once all the waste has been removed, the technician will visually inspect your tank for cracks. The size of the tank will be noted at this point.

A Dye Test

If there's a suspected blockage coming from the home to the septic tank, a dye test may be performed to confirm the blockage. Dye packets are flushed down toilets and drains to assess how much waste is making it to the septic tank. This is not always part of the inspection. It's only done if a blockage is detected.

Pump and Leach Field Inspection

If your system has a pump and alarm system, they'll also be inspected to ensure proper operation. Your leach field will be inspected to ensure that waste moves properly through the leach field. After the full inspection is complete, the technician will report any findings and recommend any action that you need to take.

Your septic system is a very important part of your home's functioning. Regular professional maintenance and inspections can help to ensure that you avoid some of the common problems associated with septic systems. If you're ready to set up an appointment, give ProSeptic a call today!