Having your septic system inspected is critical. Whether you are in the process of buying a new house, selling the one you currently live in or simply are due for a routine check, a septic inspection helps ensure that everything is running properly underground. A little preparation can make this appointment easier. But sometimes, homeowners inadvertently make some mistakes that can make an inspection harder, cause it to take longer or even produce false results. Learning what not to do will save you a lot of potential headaches and frustration later.

Not Knowing Where Your Tank Lids Are

The septic tank has access lids, which are often a mere few inches or a foot or so beneath the surface of the ground. If those lids are obscured by tall grass, bushes, garden ornaments or even a little shed, the inspector will have to spend time digging and looking for them. Not only is this inconvenient, but it also extends the amount of time spent during your inspection, and that could lead to additional fees. Know the location of manholes, fill pipes, vent lines and the access point so that you can show the inspectors. You may even have to use a shovel to gently unearth them. Doing this ahead of time helps the inspection move along more quickly.

Presaturating Too Much With Water

This is a big error that can really mess up an inspection. A lot of septic inspections include a “load test,” during which the inspector sends a large volume of water through your plumbing system to observe how the system, tank and drain field deal with the flow. If you’ve just washed five rounds of laundry, run three dishwasher loads or had everyone in the house take long showers before the inspector arrived, your tank is full. So the day before your inspection, or at least 24 hours prior, try to minimize heavy water use. Take shorter showers, postpone laundry day and wait to run the dishwasher until the inspector’s gone. This allows your system to “rest” and facilitates a fair and accurate test.

Disregarding the Drain Field Area

Though the tank will be the component that gets most of the attention, there is a leach, or drain, field that is equally important. This is where the treated wastewater percolates into the ground. This is often overlooked before inspection. Avoid parking large vehicles, building new garden beds or growing trees that have deep roots above the drain field. The weight of vehicles can compress the soil, making it difficult for water to drain, while tree roots can infiltrate and block the pipes. Make sure this area is clear and easily accessible prior to the inspection. If you’ve done anything that might affect this part of the system, just tell the inspector. They’re going to have to inspect that area carefully to ensure that it is working properly to avoid messy and expensive backups.

If you need some assistance preparing for the inspectors to come out, you can call a pro and ask for additional suggestions. Call Billingsley & Brooks Septic Tank Co for septic inspections in Greensboro, NC today.