Southern Water and Soil - Septic Experts

Hiring a Good Septic System Inspector

You want to hire an inspector that says he or she will locate and unearth each and every component of your septic system and inspect it. You do NOT want an inspector that comes out and merely walks around your yard. This is not an inspection, and it will not tell you the system is functioning properly or what needs attention.

While doing the inspection, Southern Water and Soil will look into each opening of the septic tank, making sure the baffles are OK, the tank is not showing signs of backup and failure, and measure the depth of the scum layer and sludge layer.  Southern Water and Soil uses a sludge judge, a hollow tube used to measure the depth of the sludge at the bottom of the tank.  This allows Southern Water and Soil to determine how long it has been since the tank has been maintenanced and if it needs to be pumped out.

A good inspector, such as Southern Water and Soil, will also locate and open up the distribution box, and inspect it to ensure each tile line is receiving the same amount of effluent, and all are draining properly. This inspection will also show if solids have been allowed to escape the tank. (An early warning sign of possible failure down the road.) Looking into the distribution box is probably the most telling part of the inspection process.

Lastly, Southern Water and Soil will probe the drain lines and make sure they look good.

This type of thorough inspection will cost you more money than the bogus walk about inspections, but it will be money well spent. If you are purchasing a home on a septic system, Southern Water and Soil’s thorough inspection will alert you to possible huge expenses that could be incurred if the system is failing. Better to negotiate this up front!

So be sure to interview inspectors on the phone to find out if they will locate and inspect each component. Southern Water and Soil encourages the homeowner to be present at the time of the inspection so they can educate the homeowner as they are conducting the inspection.  Southern Water and Soil will provide the homeowner, realtor, and/ or mortgage lender with a written report of the inspection.