Research & Writing Assignment:
Septic systems should be inspected once a year as part of maintenance and a functional inspection every 3-5 years or when placed on the market for sale. A functional inspection is not complete until all tanks have been pumped and inspected.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The following imagine shows the installation of cesspool rings for a new home septic system. The precast concrete rings are made of concrete with holes so that waste water can be absorbed back into the ground while the solids settle to the bottom of the tank.
Research & Writing Assignment:
When measuring the levels of a septic tank there are 3 things to look for. The scum layer, the clear layer, the sludge layer. The scum layer consist of the top floating solids, and the sludge layer is comprised of heavy solids that settle to the bottom. The clear layer is the liquid between the scum and sludge.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The backwash pipe from the homes well water softener is discharging into the septic system. this is typically allowed, however; it is important to know that the backwash from this system is particularly destructive of any concrete components that are in the septic system. A qualified licensed plumbing contractor should further evaluate the softener discharge location and make adjustments as needed.
Research & Writing Assignment:
A home that is purchased with a septic system should be inspected prior to contractual limitations and at least annually there after. A good maintenance program and care to only put waste and toilet paper will save in expensive repair costs in the future.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Septic tank corrosion is a common deficiency that I run across in the Central Texas area. It is astounding how much damage can be done, especially to concrete tanks, over time. A good mirror, with an extendable handle, is a key tool for the inspection process as the gasses in the tanks really do a number on the underside of the tank lid.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I read the article on septic system inspections. I am an established home inspector that performs septic inspections. I found the information in the article, in regards to locating the system components, very helpful. It is always difficult to tell the client that you were unable to inspect the underground components due to a lack of location.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Have learned how much stress is put on a septic tank because of washing machines and garbage disposals.
Removing the garbage disposal from a home is one way to reduce the street on a home and still be in compliance.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
I started with a diagram to identify the septic tank and the piping . The home owner didn’t have any documents regarding this septic tank so I assume the tank to be 1000 gallons because its a 3 bed room home.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This is PVC waste water drain pipe that is draining waste water from inside the house outside of the house into the septic tank that collects the solids and the sludge and then disperses the effluent out into the field beds.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Septic systems are a vital part of a residential home to safely remove waste water and to distribute it into the ground that is acceptable to the environment if designed and maintained properly. They are governed by local county and city codes.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
This is a septic tank that has been repaired or modified.
As you can see risers have been installed there for making it easier to access the tank for servicing.
The dividing baffle has also been repaired with a four-inch corrugated pipe, rendering the baffle serviceable again.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Reading the aluminum wiring article, I have realized that the problem with aluminum is even greater than I thought. Know I realize that is not just the inherent problem of contraction and expansion that could cause a fire but that the material itself is plagued with many deficiencies which make it unreliable any electrical wiring. Even if it has been pigtailed.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Im writing this essay about the class I just took on septic tank inspections.I learn a lot about how most systems are installed how they work and how they are inspected. This is a photo of a septic tank access cover that is hidden with a decrotive well.
Research & Writing Assignment:
Im writing this essay about a article about septic systems.The article went over the basic functions of a typical residential septic tank system and how to locate them and how to inspect them .It also had a picture of a cut away view of a tank.
Research & Writing Assignment:
In the article, “Commercial Real Estate Terms Inspectors Should Know”, I learned that there are several different types of leasing options on commercial property.
A “flat” or “straight lease” states the flat rate the tenant will pay in rent throughout the duration of the lease.
A “percentage lease” uses a percentage of the tenant’s sales to calculate the rent.
A “net lease” the tenant pays their basic rent plus any additional fees such as insurance, maintenance, property tax, etc.
These are a few of the lease options I learned about in this article
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
Septic tanks are made to be watertight and can be made of any of the following: concrete, plastic or fiberglass. They collect wastewater and provide primary treatment by separating solids from the water. The heavier solids sink to the bottom, and the fats, oils, grease and soap scum float to the top.
Inlet baffles are what direct the flow to allow for separation. The outlet baffles hold the scum in the tank. The process creates a clear zone of liquid that passes through an effluent screen then out to the soil treatment area for final dispersement.
The tank size is based on the daily sewage flow, as well as the detention time needed to separate the solids. The septic tank provides the only pretreatment before final dispersement.
Research & Writing Assignment:
A sewer scope inspection is a good addition to your list of home inspection services and can be financially beneficial as well. It is also beneficial for both the property owner, as well as the prospective home buyer. As an inspector, it is important to take the appropriate steps before, during and after the sewer scope to prevent causing any damage, as well as to avoid liability issues. A sewer scope can find any current defects within the lines, as well as predict any potential future issues. If any defects are discovered, inspector should suggest having a licensed plumber come out.
Inspection & Writing Assignment:
The outlet baffle was in satisfactory condition, there was >5 inches of scum and there were non degradable baby wipes on the surface of the scum. It is recommended that the tank be pumped due to an unsatisfactory level of scum, water and sludge.
Research & Writing Assignment:
I read “Septic System Inspections” and learned when to inspect, how to locate and what to look for when inspecting septic systems. It is recommended that you inspect the septic system once a year, especially when putting a house on the market. To locate the septic system when the homeowner does not know where it is, you can do a few things such as contacting the previous homeowner, looking around the yard for the greenest grass, or flushing a small radio transmitter down the toilet followed by a receiver.
