Van Delden Wastewater Systems has offered a full inspection of the septic system which includes pumping the tank. The party responsible for ordering the septic inspection has requested that Van Delden Wastewater Systems perform a very limited inspection known as a Limited/Visual Inspection as described below, but not limited to:
Obtain septic records from the county and our office (if available), locate septic tank with probe and/or metal detector, open and check any cleanouts found, introduce wastewater into the system for approximately 20 minutes, and visually inspect the ground surface over the absorption area.
NOTE:
This Limited/Visual Inspection does not include exposing lid(s) of tank, removing lids, checking the liquid level (to determine if the tank may be leaking or if the tank is overfull), monitoring the liquid level in the tank (to be sure there is no backup in the tank while running water), pumping out the tank and check for any backflow from the absorption area, inspecting the baffles and wall, or inspecting the tank for cracks, roots, corrosion, etc. Since the lids of the tank are usually buried, these items will not be checked unless there are certain circumstances that allow, which is not guaranteed nor likely with the limitations of this inspection.
All septic tanks should be pumped out on a regular basis for maintenance. It is recommended for a conventional septic tank to be pumped every 3 to 5 years depending on the size of the tank and the household usage. If the tank has not been pumped out before or in the recent past, the visual inspection report will recommend having the tank pumped out in the near future. If the tank would be pumped soon after the visual inspection, it would be better to pump it out at the time of the inspection for a more thorough inspection. Do not pump out the tank before the inspection as this may alter the inspection results. If the property is in Bexar County: Bexar County requires all septic system licensed to be renewed every five years. The tank has to be pumped in order to renew the license.
Due to the characteristics of the operations and the variable day to day wastewater loading of septic systems, soil characteristics, previous failures, ground water, maintenance, etc., the inspection in no way or form guarantees the workability of the septic system past, present or future. The inspection of the system is for the sole purpose of the determination of evidence of an existing health hazard or public nuisance in the septic system area at the time of the inspection. It will be the homeowner’s responsibility at the homeowner’s expense to make any required repairs should septic system failure occur.