Why
Chris Does Not Inspect Septic Tank Systems:
The
common method used by most home inspectors
testing septic tank systems is a combination
of a basic visual inspection, load testing
using a volume of water and possibly adding
a dye to the system to cause failed areas to
be more easily visible. This test involves
running between 200 and 300 gallons of water
through the system. If dye is used, great
care must be observed to use the proper
amount of dye for the size of the system
taking into account the volume of the tank
and the size of the drainage field. This
type test, on a marginal performing system
under certain soil moisture conditions, may
actually force an otherwise functional
system to fail. A local home inspector has
actually had to buy a new system. Had the site
not been adequate for repair he could have
been in much deeper trouble.
Alone
load and dye testing may identify certain
kinds of septic failures, but not others.
This test is not indicative of the overall
condition of the system. Because the
components of a septic tank system are
buried, no guarantee can be made regarding
the location nor condition of components
unless specific additional tests and
observations involving opening the tank,
pumping, and possible excavation are part of
the testing procedures.
Spending
money for a load and dye test done by
the average home inspector is for the most
part worthless. All septic tank systems will
fail. The issue is that when one does fail
you have adequate room on the site to add a
repair drainage field. What you should do is
verify that adequate repair room is
available and that you can afford to repair
the system when it does fail even if this
were to occur on the day following
closing. Contact your local Health
Department for information on this issue.
If you are not comfortable
with this you should employ a reputable experienced
septic tank contractor to open, visually
inspect and test the performance of the
system, pump the system and visually inspect
the condition of the tank and probe and
possibly auger portions of the drainage
field to verify functionality and the
condition of the overall system. This is a destructive
test involving damaging the sellers yard and
far beyond what this inspector becomes
involved with.
