For most homes that are not connected to a municipal sewer system, a well-designed and properly installed septic system is a reliable, effective way to treat and dispose of household waste water. Regular septic tank inspections and periodic septic tank pumping are the keys to keeping a septic system working smoothly.
A septic system should be inspected by an experienced sewer-septic professional every other year and pumped as needed. During the inspection, the sludge level and scum level will be measured and your inspector will tell you if septic tank pumping is needed. The average septic tank system will need to be pumped every three to five years.
In addition to measuring the sludge and scum levels, the inspection will include checking the condition of the tank and making sure any mechanical components are working properly. The inspector will usually flush all of the toilets and run the water in the home for a short period to see how the septic system handles the water flow.
Some septic systems have a filter in the outlet line or near the distribution box that will be cleaned as part of the inspection. Finally, the inspector will make a visual inspection of the drain field for any signs of a drain field failure.
An inspection can catch a small problem with your septic system before it becomes a serious concern. A septic system failure that allows solid material to flow into the drain field will quickly clog the drain field. There are some methods to attempt to clear a clogged drain field, but in most cases the drain field is just abandoned and a new drain field is installed. Regular septic tank inspections will help avoid these serious problems with you septic system.
