What Does a Septic Inspection Entail?

Getting your septic system inspected may feel a little like going to the doctor: it’s necessary for the system’s health, but you dread what the report might reveal. However, as with your own health, it’s better to know what’s going on so you can take steps to address any minor issues before they become major problems.

And if you can’t even remember the last time your septic system was inspected, the time to schedule one is now — particularly if you plan to list your home for sale.

The ins and outs of septic systems

Rural life has numerous benefits, but homeowners accustomed to country living know, a little independence comes with a lot of responsibility. One of those responsibilities is maintaining your septic system — because most rural homes feature “well and septic” rather than city water and sewer.

In fact, as many as one in five households nationwide get their water from a well and rely on a septic system to dispose of wastewater. Those homeowners should have their waste management systems inspected every one to three years, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

There are two basic types of septic systems: conventional and alternative.

Conventional systems are further categorized as gravity or pressure distribution systems. Gravity is the standard system, in which gravity is relied upon to move effluent through the tank and into the leach field. Pressure distribution utilizes a pump to do the job. It’s used in new systems because it distributes more evenly to the whole drainfield.

Alternative systems include:

• Aerobic Treatment Unit in which oxygen is used to break down solids. It is frequently used in environmentally sensitive areas because it produces cleaner wastewater than conventional systems.
• Mound System, which involves a drainfield raised above ground level. It is used when there’s little soil available for the treatment process.
• Sand Filter System, also used when there’s little soil available for the treatment process. It incorporates a sand filtering system and pump to treat and disburse the effluent.

If your system features pumps, electrical float switches, or mechanical components, the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors recommends an inspection every year.

If it sounds a little intimidating (or expensive), not to worry. We did the research and spoke to an expert in the (drain) field as well as a top agent to get the lowdown on this dirty job.

Septic tank inspections examine these features

Ingrid Williams is a top agent in Iowa who works with 73% more single family homes than the average West Des Moines agent. She explains that Iowa requires septic inspections at the time of transfer of property. “The purpose is to eliminate pollution of the septic system,” she notes.

Inspectors will check three elements of a septic system: septic tank, the distribution box, and the leach field. If all three components function properly and are structurally sound, the system will pass inspection.

The inspector’s first step is locating the septic system. You may have an “as-built” drawing or sketch left over from the permitting process, but some of the older sketches from years ago are pretty … sketchy, with vague distances and few or long-gone landmarks.

If that’s the case, a certified inspector — a private contractor, someone from the Health Department, or a wastewater professional  — can locate the underground tank by flushing a small radio transmitter down the toilet. (The transmitter will be removed after locating the tank.)

After determining the site of your system, the inspector can proceed to investigate. Next actions the inspector would perform include:

• Conduct a visual inspection of the drain field, looking for cesspools, sogginess, or green or black standing water (indicating mold).
• Flush the toilet and run water to ensure proper water pressure and even distribution in the septic drain field.
• Look for potential leaks. According to Steve Phelps, manager of Affordable Septic and Repair in Bloomington, Indiana, it’s necessary to pump the tank in order to get a good look at it. “You have to pump it down to look inside.” Once it’s pumped, he uses a flashlight to look for cracked, chipping, rotting, or weathered spots.
• Remove the cover to check the water level. If the liquid in the tank is higher than the outlet pipe, or if it has reached the top of the tank, it is “overfull” and indicates a potential problem with the drain field.
• Measure the level of solids in the tank, including scum and sludge layers, with the use of sludge judge: a long, hollow pole. “If you see 6-10 inches of thick sludge, you know it wasn’t pumped right,” Phelps says. He observes that some companies pump from the bottom of the tank, which leaves the sludge layer behind. The thick solids then rise to the top when the tank fills again.
• Check the baffles to ensure they’re not covered by solids and are several inches higher than the sewage level, with no evidence of previous overflows.
• Check the distribution box, or D-box (a component between the septic tank and the drain field that ensures even distribution of wastewater to all the drain field lines) for damaged outlets or openings that restrict flow, structural integrity, and tilting or tipping that causes uneven distribution. Phelps also looks for wetness and sinkholes around the D-box, both indications of problems.

Common septic inspection findings and repair costs

The typical professional septic system inspection generally costs between $100-$250 and takes two to three hours to complete. If the inspector has to uncover the tank, it can add another $50 to $250 to the bill, depending on the depth of the unit. Keep in mind that some repairs may be more expensive during the winter in colder climates because access is more difficult.

Phelps likes to point out that the cost is comparable to the price paid by city dwellers for water and sewer, although while their costs are spread out over the course of a year, the bill for septic inspections and cleanings come all at once.

Some of the common issues discovered during inspection include:

Cracked tank

Septic tanks are typically constructed of concrete, steel, fiberglass, or polyethylene. Steel tanks can rust. Fiberglass and polyethylene tanks can be crushed by traffic or split. Concrete tanks are usually more durable, but can crack. The average cost to repair a damaged tank is $2,000. Replacement runs significantly higher: $5,000 to $50,000, depending on the size and material.

Damaged wall

Septic tank walls can be damaged by shifting ground (such as an earthquake), exposure to the elements, or invasive tree roots. Cracks or holes in the wall often result in leaks. Depending on the extent of the damage, repairs can cost anywhere from $500 to $4,000.

Faulty D-box

The Distribution Box controls distribution of wastewater into the leach field. If it is damaged, problems result down the line. Replacement generally runs between $500 and $1,500. 

A concrete D-box should last 20 years, but tree roots, damage from heavy machinery, or sludge build-up can shorten its life. Signs of a failed box may look like septic tank blockage or drain field issue.

Pump failure

The septic tank pump helps the effluent flow to the drain field. These wear out and need to be replaced every few years, at a cost of $500 to $1,500.

Invasive roots

Trees or shrubs planted too closely can actually grow into a septic tank or the pipes. To remove the roots costs between $1,000 and $5,000. Costs can escalate if the roots have damaged the tank, which needs repair. 

Phelps says tree roots can sometimes be cut, but if they’re established or large, it’s more likely that the pipes will have to be dug up and replaced. “They’re probably already broken by the roots.”

System is too small for the home

If the septic system is too small for the home, it will quickly become overloaded, as signified by water on the ground surface. Septic system size is based on the number of bedrooms a home has: a four-bedroom home requires a 1,200-gallon tank, for example. Installing a 1,200-gallon tank can cost between $1,200 and $1,600.

Baffles clogged or not connected to the tank’s inlet and outlet pipes

Baffles prevent scum and grime from building up in the pipes and causing clogs. Over time, they can become cracked or damaged, or wear. Cost to repair an outlet baffle ranges from $150 to $600.

Low bacteria level

Aerobic Treatment Units use oxygen and bacteria to break down waste. If the level of bacteria is low (usually a result of the tank not being used for some time), the system loses efficiency. The cost to add bacteria ranges from $350 to $650.

Swampy Drain/Leach Field

The drain or leach field is a section of your septic system that returns waste water to the soil. If the lawn becomes swampy or produces a foul stench, it’s a sign the field is not functioning properly. “Standing water by the laterals is a big issue,” Williams observes.

Repair or rejuvenation typically runs from $1,500 to $5,000 and involves pumping the leach field to remove excess water and clogs before adding bacteria and enzymes to renew the field. If the situation is dire, the field may need to be completely replaced. The average cost to replace a drain field can cost $2,000 to $10,000, depending on the size. 

If the weather is wet during an inspection, Phelps checks to see how much water flows into the tank from the D-box and finger system. “If it’s draining back in too long, that’s a concern that the finger system is failing.”

Tank overflows

The sludge on the bottom of the tank should not be more than 1/3 of the tank’s total volume or rise to the level of the baffles. If the septic tank is full and needs to be pumped, that can cost $250 to $895. If the issue is something more serious, such as invasive tree roots, expect the cost to climb.

Septic tank doesn’t drain

If the tank is full of water but won’t drain, it’s most likely due to a blockage. The tank or the pipes may have become clogged with sludge or invaded by tree roots. Phelps sometimes uses high-pressure water to clear clogs. The typical fix costs $250 to $10,000, depending on the severity of the issue. For example, a baffle can be a simple $150 fix, while replacing a lateral line is likely to run $2,000. If you have to replace an entire leach field, brace yourself for a potential $20,000 tab.

Sinking ground around the tank

Sinking ground or a sinkhole around the septic tank is often caused by a leak in the septic tank or the lines to the leach field. Fixing the issue can cost from $1,000 to $10,000, depending on the specific cause, such as corroded pipes, a cracked tank, or a blockage or other damage with the leach field.

Leach field leakage

A leach field that is leaking at one end could indicate damage to the tank or the connection or some sort of blockage. Rejuvenation — pumping excess water from the field before adding beneficial bacteria and enzymes to refresh the system— is generally between $1,500 and $5,000, but repairing a leak in the leach field typically costs between $1,500 to $20,000.

When septic inspections are required and who pays

The National Association of Certified Home Inspectors advises homeowners to get an annual inspection of their septic system. Beyond that, they suggest an inspection if the home is listed for sale. In fact, an inspection may be required before closing. 

Williams advises her sellers to get the inspection taken care of before listing their property for sale— and to be sure to get that final letter from the department of natural resources (DNR) indicating that the septic system passed inspection.

Some mortgage companies require a septic inspection. Other times, state or local governments require them. For example, Iowa requires a septic inspection for the deed transfer.

If your state requires a septic inspection for deed transfer, it will also tell you who is typically responsible for paying for it: buyer or seller. In Iowa, Williams says most of the time, the seller pays for the inspection, although it’s negotiable. Also negotiable is who pays for any necessary repairs.

Even when not required by regulation or loan conditions, the seller may still have to get their septic system inspected if a home inspector observes signs of potential issues.  Where no problems are apparent, a seller may be able to preempt an inspection if proof of recent service can be provided.

However, if any issues are uncovered, the seller must decide whether to pay for repairs or replacement, find a cash buyer for an as-is sale, set up an escrow holdback in which the seller puts as much as 1.5 times the estimated cost of repair into escrow, or reduce the sale price of your home to reflect the work needing to be performed — and for the added inconvenience. Almost 50% of millennial homebuyers want turnkey properties, so they may balk at buying a home in immediate need of a repair project.

As-is sales in Iowa must be approved by the DNR, Williams reports. In such a situation, she explains that “there’s a limited time for the buyer to fix the issue and get it inspected.”

In most states, one of two things needs to happen. Either the seller will need to replace the system or the buyer’s lender will need to allow an escrow holdback for replacement. When you do an escrow holdback and close as planned, the lender will require a holdback of 1.5 times the cost of replacement.

So, if the septic system is going to cost $20,000 to replace, the lender will require a seller to have $30,000 of their proceeds held in escrow. The seller will get these funds back when the septic system has been installed and the local board of health signs off on approval.

Don’t be a skeptic about your septic system

Normally, septic systems are efficient when properly maintained. If they have been inspected and pumped regularly, they can last 25 years or more without replacement.

In general, you should have your septic tank pumped every 3 to 5 years, depending on the size of your household, the size of your tank, and a few other factors such as the drainfield’s proximity to rainwater runoff areas and large trees, and usage of your septic system. “Once a septic system starts to fail, it won’t fix itself,” Phelps points out. “You have to do something to fix it. If you don’t, it will only continue to get worse.”

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