Septic System Issues.(Note: The information below was provided to me to use on my website and has been authorized by Amerispec home inspection services of Mississauga) Back to main index for home inspections General Industry topics related to Homes, home inspectors and home inspection issuesSeptic System Issues I am thinking of buying a home that has a septic system. How do these systems work? A properly designed, installed and maintained septic system should typically last 20 to 25 years under normal operating conditions. Septic tanks should be pumped every 3-4 years, depending on the size of the tank and the number of people living in the home, to remove the solids from the bottom of the tank. If the solids are allowed to accumulate in the tank for a long period of time, they may eventually block the tank inlet, outlet or weeping tiles, preventing the home’s waste water from leaving the home. In this case, the weeping tile would have to be cleaned or even replaced which can be very costly. In some cases where the waste water effluent must be thoroughly cleaned (due to the proximity of a drinking water supply), the space is not available, or the soil is inappropriate, an alternative to a conventional septic system can be installed. These systems include aerobic treatment units and biofilters. With aerobic treatment units, air (including oxygen) is mechanically pumped into the waste water in the tank, providing an environment suitable for aerobic (or oxygen-using) bacteria to process the solid wastes. The extra oxygen also reduces the amount of time it takes for organic materials to break down, and allows for a smaller leaching field because the water leaving the tank has fewer impurities. The second type of alternate treatment system is a biofilter, which is a large fiberglass shell containing either peat moss or synthetic materials, which the waste water is filtered through to remove solids and other organisms. Bacteria thrive on the filters and eat the waste that collects on the filter media. Biofilters also allow a smaller leaching field since most of the materials that would be filtered out in a conventional leaching field have already been removed. In the case of either system, regular annual or semi annual servicing is required and eventually, in the case of biofilters, the filter media will require replacement. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Large trees planted in close proximity may clog and damage the piping with its roots, especially trees with shallow root systems. The weight of large vehicles driven over the leaching field can partially or completely crush the weeping tile, reducing the effectiveness of the crushed pipes and potentially causing the waste water to back-up into the home. Some companies offer to perform a dye test which involves flushing a dye pellet down the toilet with significant amounts of water and examining the area above the weeping tile bed after an hour or two. If the dye is visible in the soil above the leaching field, it indicates that there are problems with the system. However, even if there is not dye visible, there may be other problems that cannot be determined by this simple test. In addition, the introduction of excess amounts of water into the system over a short period of time can actually disturb the solids and sludge in the septic tank and cause them to unnecessarily enter the leach field. The only way to more conclusively assess the condition of a septic system would be to inspect the condition of the tank components and dig test pits throughout the leach field and have a qualified professional assess the conditions of the weeping tile and surrounding soil properties. This exercise would typically be cost prohibitive and is rarely done.
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