How much is a septic system inspection? There are many variables involved and we’ll be dwelling on these.
Homes (especially those in rural areas) without centralized sewer systems are best served with septic systems.
Now, a septic system includes four main parts; the pipe conveying waste from the home, a septic tank, a leach field (also called a drain field) as well as the soil.
Although all parts of this system are very important, we’ll be focusing more on the septic tank. Septic tanks are meant to last about 3 to 4 decades after which they’ll need to be changed. This is also known as their lifespan.
During this time, faults are likely to develop due to several reasons.
The only way to find out what the specific issues or problems are is through inspection. Now, the cost of an inspection is very crucial to getting the job done.
In other words, you’ll have to pay for such an inspection. The question now is; how much will such inspections cost you?
That is what this article is about. Join us to find answers regarding septic tank inspection costs and more. Septic tanks need to be inspected for a variety of reasons.
Such reasons include finding out if the tank is due for pumping, identifying possible faults, and also taking note of damages needing repair.
Average Cost of Septic Tank Inspection
To have your septic tank and system thoroughly inspected, it’s best to seek the services of experienced septic technicians. This should be paramount as the quality of the job depends on it.
Next comes the cost of the inspection. The inspection follows a wide range of actions all geared towards identifying any problems.
The cost of an inspection is never static but falls within a range that typically starts at $100 to about $600. However, such costs could increase for septic tanks below ground. The greater the depth, the higher the cost of an inspection is likely to be.
You may incur about $50 to $250 in additional costs for septic tanks found at a greater depth.
What Does An Inspection Consists of?
To better understand the cost of septic tank inspection, it’s necessary to also consider specific areas focused on by technicians. In other words, when you call for septic tank inspection, technicians are on the lookout for specific signs.
These enable them to pinpoint the problem, thus resolving them the best way possible.
Septic tank inspections focus on leakages, the volume of wastewater released into the drain field, and sludge level. What more? Septic tank distance from water bodies like streams and wells and the size of the tank are also taken into consideration.
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Leakages
Some of the most common problems or faults with septic tanks are leakages. These are caused by poor tank designs, tree roots, broken pipes, and clogs from solids among others.
Any or a combination of these factors trigger leakages that have to be fixed immediately for the effective functioning of the system.
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The volume of Wastewater Released to Drain Field
The septic system is expected to function smoothly with all its components working at top capacity. When an anomaly is observed in the system, it could be due to a malfunction of one or more of the components.
To proper the septic tank malfunctioning, the drain is observed or inspected.
When the volume of wastewater released to the drain field isn’t flowing as expected, it’s determined that the outflow from the tank might likely be clogged.
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Sludge Level
There’s an acceptable level for sludge or solids within a septic tank. This shouldn’t exceed one-third of the tank’s content. A septic technician will also inspect the tank to determine the sludge level.
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Distance From Water Bodies
Septic tanks must never be installed too close to water bodies. There’s an acceptable or safe distance to ensure tanks do not contaminate such water sources when they leak. Septic tank technicians also inspect to find if water sources around contain possible leakages from tanks.
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Tank Size
When septic tanks are inspected, the size factor also comes into play. Certain septic tank sizes are ideal for specific household use. In other words, a small septic tank won’t be ideal for a large household.
When the size doesn’t fit, the homeowner is advised to install an appropriate septic tank to meet the needs of the household.
Saving Cost On Septic Inspection
When calling for septic tank inspection, one thing common to most homeowners is to find the best deal possible. While this is good, you should exercise caution as unqualified septic tank technicians may give you a price quote that sounds too good to be true.
If you fall for such, you may end up regretting it as they may give your septic tank a clean bill of health while in reality, it may need to be fixed urgently. This further compounds the problem. It’s best to go for certified and professional septic contractors or technicians.
Whether you think the cost is high or not shouldn’t be the main issue. Identifying and fixing the problem should be your main concern. So, how do you find reliable septic system contractors to inspect your tank? Yellow pages and online reviews are effective ways to begin your search.
One of the ways to reduce cost while still getting reliable and a thorough inspection is by contacting your local health department. Some health departments perform septic tank inspections at a much-reduced cost.
Can I Save Cost by Conducting an Inspection Myself?
Sometimes, people seek to save costs by conducting the procedure (septic tank inspections) themselves. Apart from simple visual inspections that can help detect anomalies with your septic tank, there’s little you can do beyond this point.
Some septic tank issues may only be obvious by opening up the access points and using professional tools to probe. You may want to save yourself the stress of having to get the job done which may not be as effective.
Factors Affecting Septic Tank Inspection Cost
When calling for a septic tank inspection, you should know that the eventual cost will depend on how extensive the inspection process is. Also, the size of your tank as mentioned earlier will contribute to the cost of the inspection.
There you have it. Every septic tank inspection comes at a cost. By finding out how much it will cost you, you’re able to properly budget for the process.