While performing an inspection I observed this pump near the septic tank system. This is the aerator pump and it is obvious that this pump has been neglected over time. While on site I questioned the sellers real estate agent about this system. He advised that the home was obtained in a foreclosure auction about 3 years prior and the system has not been maintained since then. The pump was inoperable at time of inspection and dirt was visible in the motor casing. I advised the client that the system would need a complete evaluation and repairs by a licensed septic contractor.
During my last 12 months as a home inspector I have rarely come across homes with septic systems. It has been the few that has driven me to research and become educated in these systems and keep the money in-house. In the article, “Septic Systems” it is advised that caution be exercised if a home on a septic system is equipped with a food waste disposer. This article advised that the waste through the disposer has not been broken down as well as waste processed through the human body. This disposer waste will require tank pumping more frequently and clients should be advised of this during the inspection.
Attached is a picture of a well expansion tank. The expansion tank is a important part of a well system. The tank is designed to maintain steady pressure thru out the home and prevent damage to water faucets and fittings. These tanks are usually located in the basement or crawl areas. They are prone to corrosion as seen in picture.
Adjustable lally columns are used thru basements mostly in the Northern U.S. These columns are prone to corrosion in damp basements and have limited use. It is recommended to have the top plate of the column secured to the beam is it supporting. These columns have limit distance for displacement.
One of the most harmful thing that you can introduce into your home’s septic system is hazardous chemicals products like solvents, pesticides, brake fluid, gasoline, motor oil and paint thinners. By putting these and like items into a septic system, they can distribute into the surrounding soil, polluting it and making it unfit for plant growth. Plus, these harsh products will kill off the bacteria in your tank that is necessary to break down waste in the septic system.
There are a lot of homeowners that do not fully appreciate how the home’s plumbing systems operate or how to maintain it. A good way is to ask your home inspector what type of wastewater system is in the home and how to maintain it. If you have a Septic system in your home (or the one you intend to buy)there are eleven specific things you can do to keep your system functioning for years to come.
1.Locate your septic tank and drain field. Keep a drawing of these locations in your records.
2.Have your septic system inspected at least every three years.
3.Pump your septic tank as needed (generally, every three to five years).
4.Don’t dispose of household hazardous waste in sinks or toilets.
5.Keep other household items, such as dental floss, feminine hygiene products, condoms, diapers, and cat litter out of your system.
6.Use water efficiently.
7.Plant only grass over and near your septic system. Roots from nearby trees or shrubs might clog and damage the system. Also, do not apply manure or fertilizers over the drain field.
8.Keep vehicles and livestock off your septic system. The weight can damage the pipes and tank, and your system may not drain properly under the compacted soil.
9.Keep gutters and basement sump pumps from draining into or near your septic system.
10.Check with your local health department before using additives.
11.Commercial septic tank additives do not eliminate the need for periodic pumping and can be harmful to your system.
I looked at biogas septic systems. It seems to be an innovative way to recover some of the wasted energy in human waste. Our landfill recovers methane and sells it to a local utility company. We have come a long way from pit toilets.
I read about bidets. My wife buys the Brownfingers brand of single ply toilet paper. I think a bidet would be a welcome addition in my bathroom. I often wondered how if you still had to use toilet paper to dry uranus after you are clean, but the article said that some bidets have built in dryers.
This waste water treatment system has a good access point in the cellar of the house. The septic tank is located about 10’ from the house in the same direction as the pipe is running. There is no signs of seepage coming back into the house from around the pipe. Talking to the residents of the house and it has been around 10 years since the tank was pumped. Recommended this be done as soon as possible. Since there is over a foot of snow on the ground it will be impossible to check the leach field for saturation. This should be checked when the snow goes off and the ground drys up.
Aging in Place by Nick Gromicko and Kate Tarasenko
This article is about the “Baby Boomers” generation coming of an age where they will be needing to make a choice of either staying home and getting home care or going to a nursing home. The article goes on to talk about different things that need to be changed in most houses to make it so an aging person can live with out danger. In the closing they talk about how a person should plan ahead and if they want to “age in place” they should make sure any big expense items are taken care of while they still have a reliable income.
My first septic inspection was for a horse barn that had been unused for approximately one year. With only clear water on the top and a relatively high level, I was/am unsure if there are any problems. I performed some field probes with a rod and saw no water which was no surprise since it hasn’t been used.
I reviewed the images of the different septic tanks and systems and found to nno surprise that they are all similar and follow very similar principles. The exceptions may be the design of the cess pool and seepage pit. Although similar, they have distinct disadvantages.
On this day I observed a septic system in a possible difficult area. The system is down a 320’ driveway with a grade of 1’ per 4’ of driveway. The shortest distance from the top to the system is 235’ of the same grade.
This system will need further inspection by a qualified pump service to implement a maintenance program to keep the system working properly.
The septic tank pictured here come equipted withan adjustable riser system. The underground opening of the tank has a cover that is easily adjusted to be at or above grade. This will make locating, servicing and inspectiong the tank and internal components relatively easy.
Crawlspace inspection: A thorough crawlspace inspection can be one of the most important areas that is done. Many clients have never even looked into the crawlspace,don’t want to and don’t realize the possibilities of preventable catastrophic damage that might be under foot.
Aerobic septic system, tank with submersible pump to empty tank. Pump is piped to three sprinklers located around south end of yard. A high level water limit float switch is part of pump with sound alarm and light at control box mounted on south end of house.
Taking measurement of scum depth by extending stick through scum layer to find bottom of effluent pipe, mark stick, then raise stick until you feel bottom of scum layer, mark stick again, if the two marks are 3 inches apart or less or if scum is within 1 inch of top of outlet baffle, tank requires pumping.
This is a picture of a laundry room that is common in my area. A washing machine is supposed to empty into a septic system if a septic system is the primary waste system. However, it is common in my area for a washer to empty directly into the yard or absorption area 100 feet or more from the house.
I found the picture labeled 'Poor Deck Location". The deck was built over the septic tank. I chose this one because a few months ago I did an inspection with this exact issue. A large deck had been built right over the septic tank. I informed the buyer of the situation, and gave recommendations if there was ever an issue with the tank.
Images like this that I selected really help me understand the size and inside of a septic tank. Here you see a baffle wall and the inlet pipe. Material and how they get the tank into the ground. And of course you need to make sure its level.
