Question:

Can someone tell me the steps to performing a septic system inspection that would certify a system’s working condition? Inspections are being required by lending institutions before they allow a mortgage. From what I’ve seen, the procedures seem to be arbitrary and determined by the contractor. How does it work?

Answers:

I’m actually pleasantly surprised someone has asked this question. The very first step should be a visit or call to the local health department to get a copy of the sewage and well permits (and location drawings). In more than 20 years, I have never known a real estate inspector to ask the local health department for records.

The next step is to visit the site (yes, there are those who don’t even do this). Locate the septic tank — a soil probe is useful for that purpose. Locate the well. Be sure you understand the kind of treatment system you’re evaluating. (I had a real estate inspector dye-check an aeration system and fail it because dye appeared in the ditch).

We don’t certify anything. Our letter to the lending institution or buyer is a clear description of what we found, where the system is located relative to the house and other landmarks, and lastly a disclaimer that this is simply a snapshot of what we found on the day of the inspection.

“This report indicates the condition of the above onsite wastewater treatment system at the time of the inspection. It does not guarantee it will continue to function satisfactorily.” We do not guarantee that the system will not fail tomorrow. No one can make those kinds of guarantees. This Web site provides a great deal of worksheets and information: http://septic.umn.edu/ professional/worksheets/index.html.

We dig up the tank, then find the box and do a water test on the laterals to see if they are working. We pump the tank and box, put a filter in the tank we have to bring to code and then call for inspection. That’s the rules here or the bank won’t take the loan.