There are many homes that rely on septic systems for waste management when their houses are on lots that are not connected to a sewer system. Homeowners can expect a septic system to work well and last for many years, but a septic system does require some maintenance. One of the most important things that you can do if your home has a septic system is to schedule regular inspections. A septic system inspection is essential in order to ensure that there are no issues that could lead to a sewage backup. Continue reading to learn more about what you can expect during a routine septic system inspection:

Initial Assessment

When a septic system inspector arrives at your home, he or she will need some information from you. This information typically includes the age of your septic system, the date of the last inspection, the last time the septic tank was pumped, and information about how the septic system has been maintained. Having this information will give your inspector a good idea about what to look for and what to expect over the course of the inspection.

System Inspection

During your inspection, your septic inspector will carefully examine all of the components of your system. This is done by using a variety of different tools, including specialized cameras that can be put down into your pipes and septic tank. The purpose of this type of inspection is to determine if you have any clogs in your system and to ensure that there are no broken parts that need to be replaced. If it has been a while since the last time that your septic tank has been pumped, the septic inspector will also open the lid of your septic tank to measure the waste level to see if your tank is nearing capacity.

Testing the Drainfield

A septic drain field consists of pipes that move away from the septic tank and transport liquid waste away. For proper waste management, the drain field must be in good working order. During your septic system inspection, your inspector will conduct several tests to make sure that none of the drain field pipes have cracked or started leaking. When issues with the drain field are caught early during an inspection, they are typically easy to have repaired. However, if a drain field is neglected, the problems can get much worse, which may result in the need to replace all of your drain field pipes.

If you need any help with your septic system, make sure to contact a local residential septic service.