09/26/2026
Licensed Septic Evaluation.
A thorough septic evaluation, or inspection, should take approximately an hour to two hours. Obviously weather can play a factor as winter will affect the digging of the ground and snow accumulation will extend the time as well.
The licensed septic evaluator (inspector) will first locate the septic tank, either by visual, ground penetrating probe, or camera location through an interior plumbing clean out, if available.
As long as the septic tank is not buried too deep then the septic tank cover(s) will be exposed and opened. The inspector will confirm the presence of both baffles and the condition thereof. The inlet baffle slows the waste down as it enters the septic tank. This helps the floating solids, or scum, from getting mixed with the liquid layer, or effluent, and reducing the amount of suspended solids from reaching the field. The outlet baffle only allows the effluent to leave the septic tank and flow out to the leach field, or effluent disposal area. The scum layer of solids,fats, oils, and grease are left inside the tank. The septic tank will be inspected for condition, expected pumping intervals, and measured for accurate capacity.
The inspector will, if accessible, utilize an inspection camera to determine the condition of both the inlet pipe coming from the house, and the outlet pipe leaving the tank out to the effluent disposal area. If it is determined that there are any issues with either pipe, then the inspector will bring it to the attention of the person that required the inspection. Broken, separated, crushed, root intrusion, or low spots are often found when performing the pipe inspection.
The inspector will locate the effluent disposal area and if present, the distribution box. At the inspectors discretion, the distribution box may or may not need to be exposed. The inspector will dig test pits in the field, by hand, and evaluate the condition of the field. This includes color of the stones or sand, the level of standing liquid, and presence (or not) of any root intrusion in the effluent disposal area.
The inspector will provide an assessment of the condition of the overall system.
The inspector will attempt to return the disturbed areas to a “like original” condition, weather dependent.
The inspector will also need access to the inside of the property to see if there is a garbage disposal under the sink and see if there is a water filtration system or softener, that is discharging backwash into the system.
The licensed evaluator will answer any questions that arise and make recommendations as needed.
Is your current Septic Evaluation Company doing all of these steps?
Do you want them to?
Call us. We will.
