TOPIC: Private Septic Tanks

Does anyone inspect septic tanks, its somthing I'm thinking of offering and I'm wondering what all it intailes?

A few years ago one of my friend bought a house and the local home inspector offered a srptic tank check, uopn inspection he found one of the baffels had fallen. My friend was able to have the ownes fix it before close of escrow.

I don't do 'em, but a call to your AHJ may give you some insight into if you need an additional license.  Also, check with your insurance provider to see if it's covered.  It'd be awful to miss something and have to pay for a new system out of your own pocket. 

Ya that's what worries me, paying for somthing I miss. I'm by far an expert on Septic systems, I just know the basics. I'll check on the additional licenses.

Thanks

Check with your local jurisdiction.  In my area, it is required that every property that changes hands must have a health certificate on the septic system issued by a licensed inspector.  In order to perform the inspection, the tank must be drained and hosed down to check the walls.  The baffles are checked and the incoming flow is checked.  Since I don't drive a turd-hurst to my inspections, I can't offer the service.

There are various organizations that provide septic certs.  Rick's advice is good, as is Stephen's.

Around here, the county is required to inspect the field but not the tank.  They also require the tank to be pumped every 3-5 years, depending on the number of occupants in the house.  I always recommend to my clients that they try to get a receipt from the seller as to when the tank was pumped out and inspected last.  If it has been more than two years I recommend that they ask that it to be pumped out, even if they have to pay for it themselves.  I look at the field too for visible lines, taller grass, odors and such.  The visible lines can be caused by drought however and are not necessarily an indicator of a percolation problem...

The other reason to pump it is to examine the box (sewage causes concrete damage) and to make sure things have not shifted.  If the incoming and outgoing tubes are no longer connected the whole system is affected -- as well as the yard!

My Township requires you pump the septis every other year and you have to submit a copy of the work order or recipt.

That's good advise to tell the Client. Personally I think the seller should be required to pump out the tank upon close of escrow, but that's just my opinion.

Thanks for the advise guys.